Arthritis could Cause Knee Replacements to Rise

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

04 May 2008 06:15 PM

Experts predict that the number of hip and knee replacements performed in the United States could skyrocket over the next seven years.

Why?

• A larger elderly population in the country -- seventy-six million Americans will hit retirement age in 2008.
• An increase in arthritis in the American population. Arthritis affects more than forty-six million Americans each year and is most common in older adults.
• An increase in obesity among Americans -- every one pound of weight on your body means three or more pounds of pressure on your knees. Carrying extra weight can also make you more likely to develop arthritis.

Joint replacement surgery is a popular treatment option for people who suffer from severe, debilitating arthritis -- arthritis that causes significant pain or seriously impairs the ability to move.

To predict the future of knee and hip replacements, researchers from the Robert Stempel School of Public Health at Florida International University looked at the past. They analyzed joint replacement data gathered in the United States between 1997 and 2004.

• Between 2000 and 2004, the number of hip replacements increased 37% and the number of knee replacements increased 54%.
• Hip and knee replacements increased the most among people between the ages of forty-five and sixty-four.
• Medicare paid for a majority of the procedures, but private insurance payments increased the most over the time period.

If the current trend keeps going, researchers predict that in the year 2015, doctors will perform six hundred thousand hip replacements and more than one point four million knee replacements. That could place a HUGE burden on America's health care system.

So what can you do? Take steps to reduce your risk of arthritis. One major risk factor for arthritis is weight -- losing weight can reduce strain on your joints. Help friends and family in their weight loss efforts, too.

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SherylPeters (5) 09 Jun 2008 08:53 AM

I am a grandmother of three and my grandkids and I love to take walks down by the pond near our house. Just the other day when one of my grandkids was catching a frog I felt a sharp pain in my knee when I was bending down to pick him up. I went to the doctor and he told me that I had arthritis and my condition will slowly start to get worse if I'm not too careful. I asked my doctor what I can do to still lead a healthy and active lifestyle and he recommended that I exercise regularly and eat healthy. So now I go to yoga regularly, and to help keep my joints healthy, I take a micosamine supplement. I know I can't prolong the effects of aging forever, but with my new lifestyle I can enjoy spending time with my grandkids outdoors pain-free.

Aimee Amodio (12040) 09 Jun 2008 11:46 AM

Thanks for your comment, Sheryl -- it's great that you're taking steps to keep your joints healthy!