How Long Does Knee Replacement Last?

For many individuals suffering from severe arthritis, knee replacement can be a life-changing procedure, allowing them to restore full function and resume a life free of chronic pain. More than 600,000 knee replacement procedures are performed in the United States every year. If you’re unable to find the relief you’re seeking from more conservative treatments such as cortisone injections or physical therapy, knee replacement may be the right solution to help you enjoy a pain-free life once again.

If you’re considering knee replacement, you may be wondering how long your new implant will last. The good news is that modern implants and knee replacement techniques deliver long-lasting results. However, knee implants aren’t meant to last forever. Over time, the materials used in knee implants may wear out and require replacement.

Most Knee Replacements Last 15 Years or Longer

In most instances, you can expect your knee replacement to last at least 10-15 years. Recent data published in the medical journal The Lancet found that:

• Only 3.9% of knee replacement patients required revision surgery within 10 years of their initial procedure
• Only 10.3% of patients required revision knee surgery after 20 years

Based on this data, roughly 90% of patients are having their knee replacements last at least 20 years. This figure is expected to rise over the next few years as well. Knee replacement technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, and materials used today are more durable than ever. For example, the highly cross-linked polyethylene material used in many modern knee implants exhibits lower wear properties than the plastic and metal materials used in older implants. This should extend the lifespan of implants that use this more durable plastic.

In addition, there are new surgical techniques being used with knee replacement surgery that achieve more precise results and may potentially help your implant last longer. One technique which has significantly improved knee replacement results is the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System by Stryker. The 3D CT-based modeling software used with this technique gives surgeons a clearer picture of the surgical site and allows for a more customized surgical plan. This improved customization reduces risks, improves the precision of the procedure, and increases the likelihood of longer-lasting results.

Factors Impacting the Longevity of Your Knee Replacement

While early failure of a knee implant is rare, it can occur in some situations. This generally happens as a result of an infection in the joint following surgery. Fortunately, you can minimize the chances of infection by effectively managing your risk factors before surgery.  This can be accomplished by:

• Getting diabetes under control
• Maintaining a healthy BMI
• Eating a nutritious diet

When implants fail after long-term results, it is most commonly due to a loosening of the bond between the bone and the implant, which can occur from wear and tear over time. In some instances, long-term implant failure may also be caused by a component of the implant wearing down.

In general, the following factors will impact how long your knee replacement will last:

• Age – Younger patients tend to live a more active lifestyle, which may increase the wear on the knee implant. This may cause the implant to wear out a little sooner than it will for an older patient who is no longer very active.
• Weight – When you are overweight, it will place additional stress on the implant, potentially causing it to wear out sooner. For this reason, it’s crucial that you maintain a healthy weight after knee replacement.
• Lifestyle – Certain high-impact activities such as running, jumping, or skiing may place excessive stress on the implant, causing it to wear out faster. To reduce this risk, choose lower-impact activities for exercise such as cycling, swimming, or elliptical machines.
• Medical history – Individuals with conditions such as osteoporosis are at greater risk of a fracture in the bone around the knee implant. This can increase the likelihood of failure. In addition, future surgeries and other invasive medical procedures may require extra care to avoid bacteria from getting into the implant and causing infection.

Raising the Bar for Knee Replacement on the Western Slope

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we’re committed to delivering the exceptional care you deserve. All of our orthopedic surgeons are board certified, and fellowship trained. In addition, we use the most advanced technology available to ensure the greatest levels of comfort and precision with your procedure.

Dr. Borchard, our orthopedic knee, hip, and shoulder surgeon, consistently achieves results that exceed industry standards using the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System. According to Stryker’s Insightful Data Analytics database, which currently has 800,000+ patient records and 80 million data points reported the following data from the second half of 2021:

• One hundred percent of patients were discharged to home and work with an outpatient physical therapy facility 100% of the time, eliminating the intermediary step of staying at an inpatient rehabilitation center
• Borchard’s patients were able to walk an average of 561 feet prior to hospital discharge, which ranks in the 90^th percentile
• Have experienced zero surgical site infections to date
• Have never been readmitted to Pioneers Medical Center at the 30- and 90-day mark after surgery

When you have a knee replacement at Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, you will have peace of mind that you’re working with some of the most highly trained surgeons on the Western Slope. This allows us to help you get back to living the life you love as soon as possible.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker and throughout the White River Valley.