Researchers examined 128 patients who received total knee replacements between 1975 and 1989, around 20 years after the surgery was performed. The average age of the patient at the time of surgery was 63.8 years. Eighty-two percent of the patients had osteoarthritis and 73 percent were female.
The study found:
• 95 percent of the patients could walk at least five blocks
• 48 percent reported unlimited walking
• 126 of the 128 patients could go up and down the stairs without a banister
• 3 of the 128 patients were housebound
• There were no implant failures after 20 years
Read the AAOS news release about total knee replacements.
Read other coverage on AAOS:
– AAOS Names New Leaders for 2011
– AAOS: Guideline and Recommendations on Rotator Cuff Repair
– AAOS Supports Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements But Urges Physicians to Educate Patients First
