How Old is Too Old for Hip, Knee Surgery?

 

Does age matter when it comes to hip and knee surgeries? 

According to a study published by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) and reported by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, patients 80 years and older who need a total hip or knee replacement may have comparable results to younger patients. The outcomes were the best among patients with few or no comorbidities (chronic conditions).

The most recent U.S. Census data reported Americans who are at least 85 years old are the fastest-growing population. With such an increase, physicians are also reporting a surge of hip and knee replacements surgeries among this group.

 

"Based on the results of this study, I think very elderly patients, particularly those with few or no comorbidities, should strongly consider the benefits of these procedures," said lead study author Hiroyuki Yoshihara, MD, PhD, an orthopaedic surgeon at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and Nassau University Medical Center.

Click here to read more about the study.

No matter what age, all patients should undergo a pre-surgery evaluation to be sure they are good candidates for the procedure. And the healthier a patient is before surgery, the more likely he or she will have better outcomes and/or recover quicker. 

To learn more about Texas Orthopedics' pre-surgery process, visit us at txortho.com or call us at (877) 966-7846.

Carpal Tunnel Research Gets Noticed

Congratulations to Dr. Brendan MacKay! His poster has been accepted for the 2014 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting taking place March 11-15 in New Orleans, LA.

Poster Title: Accuracy of Carpal Tunnel Injection: A Prospective Evaluation of 756 Patients

We'll provide more details this spring. Until then, here's a little background on the topic...

Carpal tunnel: More than just a pain in the wrist

You've likely heard of carpal tunnel syndrome. It's a fairly common and often debilitating condition that can cause pain from the wrist to the neck, fingers, head and spine. More heightened awareness combined with a culture of desk and phone jobs are suggested as major factors for the increased prevalence.

How does it occur? Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve is pinched in the wrist. Called the median nerve, this nerve is the connection from the brain all the way down to the fingertips. In patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is pinched as it passes through the wrist.

Click here to read more information from AAOS about the condition.

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