For individuals who are considering hip replacement surgery, it is usually a great option.

Young, Old, Well… It Just Doesn’t Matter

Hip replacement studies revealed that the results for hip implants are positive both for the young and old. There were two studies that showed individuals who are younger that 50, as well as those older than 90, did well with new hips.

During the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (or AAOS) annual conference, the two studies were presented to provide new assurances to older and younger people who are considering the surgery. In one study, it was found that there were many hip replacements implanted in individuals younger than 50 that still performed quite well 35 years later. Patients at age 90 or older also reported positive outcomes.

Rise Of The Hips

Alexander Miric, M.D., assistant chief of orthopaedic surgery, stated that the number of patients who were 90-year-olds significantly increased or tripled over the last 30 years. Dr. Miric was also the lead author of the study that focused on hip implants in older patients. He also added that it would be interesting to determine how the 90-year-olds will do after the hip replacement surgery.

Lucian C. Warth, M.D., a senior orthopaedic surgery resident and study co-author, stated that the study was the longest they have conducted in terms of following up on the condition of individuals who got total hip replacement surgery. It was found that 63 percent of the original surgeries were still functional while the study was ongoing and even at the time of death of the patients.

According to The AAOS:

The most common cause of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

Osteoarthritis. This is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis. It usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older and often in individuals with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away. The bones then rub against each other, causing hip pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis may also be caused or accelerated by subtle irregularities in how the hip developed in childhood.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disease in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and thickened. This chronic inflammation can damage the cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of a group of disorders termed “inflammatory arthritis.”

Post-traumatic arthritis. This can follow a serious hip injury or fracture. The cartilage may become damaged and lead to hip pain and stiffness over time.
Avascular necrosis. An injury to the hip, such as a dislocation or fracture, may limit the blood supply to the femoral head. This is called avascular necrosis. The lack of blood may cause the surface of the bone to collapse, and arthritis will result. Some diseases can also cause avascular necrosis.

Childhood hip disease. Some infants and children have hip problems. Even though the problems are successfully treated during childhood, they may still cause arthritis later on in life. This happens because the hip may not grow normally, and the joint surfaces are affected.