From the 2011 Fall Senior Circle publication
According to the American Hospital Association, we will see a sharp increase in the number of knee replacement surgeries as Baby Boomers age and enjoy their later years.
So to learn more about the types of knee replacements options offered today, we sat down with Orthopedic Surgeon Bruce Thoma, MD, for a brief interview.
Q: What’s the difference between a partial and total knee replacement?
A: A partial knee replacement is more localized and less invasive. Because of this, patients typically recover faster from a partial knee replacement than a total knee, yet the complete knee replacement can solve more problems for a greater number of people.
Another difference is that many partial replacements have a moving part where the plastic insert actually moves in the knee where the total knee replacement is a fixed bearing, which doesn’t move. The type of replacement that is right for you will depend on your own situation, and your doctor can help you decide.
Q: How long will a knee replacement last?
A: Data suggests that it will last 20 years, though some have certainly lasted longer.
Q: Is there a “minimum” age for knee replacement?
A: We try to avoid replacements for those under 50, but the youngest patient I’ve ever done was just 39 and had severe post-traumatic damage from a car accident, so her knee was actually like that of a 70+ year old. We try to delay surgery for younger patients who are tolerating their disease with minimal pain that’s controlled enough for them to remain active.
Q: Has knee replacement surgery changed in recent years?
A: In the 25 years since I began doing knee replacement surgery, many things have changed. Not only are procedures less invasive and more customized to the patient, but recovery is also much faster. These days the anesthesia is also different, incorporating nerve blocks before the procedure so there is less pain after the procedure is completed. Plus, the new knees are more individually fit to the individual.
Q: When should I consider seeing a doctor for knee pain?
A: See a doctor if knee pain persists more than a few weeks, or if you notice that you’re not functioning at the level you used to with things like rising from a chair, doing stairs or getting out of the car, and certainly if you have any episodes of falling or your knee giving out. If you’re avoiding things you once enjoyed and choosing to stay on the couch, then don’t wait to see a doctor and find relief from knee pain.
Dr. Thoma is an orthopedic surgeon with Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute. He is an independent member of the medical staff at Porter.
Porter’s Orthopedic Institute is here to help.
Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600
If you’re suffering from excessive hip or knee pain, the orthopedic specialists who practice at Porter are skilled at performing total joint replacements as well as offering other treatment methods. They perform more than 500 joint replacements each year and invest in advanced technology to achieve desired outcomes and patient satisfaction.
To learn more about Porter’s Orthopedic Institute, call 219.263.4971.