Joint Replacement Surgery is advised for those who are severely affected by osteoarthritis. Hip replacement is another common surgery and the age group that resorts to these surgeries is between 55 and 80 years of age.

It is also a common opinion that individuals over 80 years are not operated upon for joint replacement because of complications (bone fragility and anesthesia) that could occur. However, this article examines whether this is true and which is the age group for which surgery is best advised.

Joint Replacement Surgery Eligibility Factors

According to joint replacement surgeons, age alone is not a consideration for the surgery. The overall health of the patient is what is considered for patients of any chronological age. It may happen that even a young person may not be fit for joint replacement surgery. Three factors are mainly considered by orthopedic surgeons:

#1: Current Health Status

The current health status of the patient is the most important factor. This is determined with the help of a physical exam by the doctor, blood tests, and imaging scans. A review of the patient’s medical history is also done.

#2: Physical Strength

The physical strength of the patient is evaluated to confirm whether he/she has the strength to lift themselves during the rehabilitation period. This also decides the type of mobility device that has to be used during the period of physical therapy.

#3: Cognitive Ability

This evaluation is done by the doctor to ascertain whether the patient has the mental strength to sail through the surgery and the recovery period. This is especially important after hip replacement surgery to protect the implant and the hip.

Exclusion Factors for Joint Replacement Surgery Eligibility

The best joint replacement surgeon may decide you are not a fit candidate for joint replacement surgery considering some factors such as a high degree of osteoporosis, infection in the body, obesity, and smoking/alcoholism and other age-related factors. Candidates of a younger age may be excluded only because of their age as their bodies have to keep these joints for the rest of their lives. In such cases, doctors try to postpone the surgery as much as possible.

Things You Need to Consider

In case you feel you are a candidate for knee replacement and you are old enough, there are a few questions that you should be able to answer to have the best outcomes after the surgery. They are listed below:

• Has the joint problem affected the quality of your life considerably and keeping you from performing your daily activities effectively
• Does the pain interrupt with your night sleep and prevents from climbing stairs or sit or stand comfortably?
• Are you willing to quit smoking if you are a current smoker? Are you ready to give up drinking alcohol or substance abuse (even prescription drugs) if you currently suffer from those disorders?
• Are you willing to exercise and lose weight after the surgery?
• Do you have someone who will take care of you after the surgery during the rehabilitation period?

If your answer is yes to all these questions you can perhaps consult a doctor about joint replacement surgery. In case your answer is no to any one of these questions, it is a good idea to speak to your doctor and explore alternative forms of treatment instead of joint replacement surgery.

Dr. Santosh Shetty – The Best Joint Replacement Surgeon

If you are a resident of Mumbai and are looking to have a joint replacement surgery in Mumbai, getting in touch with Dr. Santosh Shetty is the answer. He is one of the most experienced knees and hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai and has helped many patients overcome their debility caused by the degenerative condition. He works to provide the best post-operative outcomes after joint replacement surgeries by keeping the patients’ interest as the highest priority.