Uptick in surgeries for younger patients according to
experts, including renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Berger
CHICAGO, July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world trains its eyes on
the upcoming Olympic games, it is important to recognize that all
young elite athletes could one day face total hip or total knee
replacement. Although we may think of someone of 65 as a typical
joint replacement patient, research indicates that hip and knee
replacements are quickly becoming more prevalent among younger
individuals.
New research shows that the human body may have been pushed
to its limit. Authors went back to the start of the 20th century
and reviewed physiological structure and function for their
article, "Are We Reaching the Limits of Homo
sapiens?" The study, published in the
journal Frontiers in Physiology, concluded that a
plateau has been reached for both sexes. As young athletes show no
signs of slowing down, it is possible to conceive that joint repair
may step into the breech.
For example, Lindsay
Vaughn, the only American woman to win an Olympic
downhill gold medal, recently announced she had total knee
replacement at the age of 39 after contending with injuries and
arthritis. Following years of pain and mobility from arthritis,
1984 gymnastics Olympian Mary Lou
Retton opted to have her hip replaced at age 37.
Research presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American
Academy of Orthopedics reported that currently 28 percent of
hip replacement procedures are performed on men and women under
55.
A study in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related
Research revealed that by 2030, the demand for total joint
replacement by patients less than 65 will be 52% of primary
total hip replacements and 55% to 62% of primary or revision total
knee replacements if the trend continues.
"Hip and Knee replacements are no longer for grandmas and
grandpas," says Dr. Richard Berger,
prominent Rush University Medical
Center orthopedic surgeon known for treating elite athletes and
weekend warriors alike. "Twenty years ago, we used to tell
younger patients to come back in 10 years. Today the average age of
my patients is 57. This age group is typically less apprehensive
about getting surgeries because they don't want to hobble around or
live their life taking anti-inflammatories or pain pills."
Dr. Berger's patients are better off thanks to his minimally
invasive technique that eliminates the need to cut muscles,
ligaments, or tendons allowing for a faster and more effective
recovery and limited scar tissue. With a degree from MIT before attending medical school, Dr. Berger
paved the way by pioneering this unique surgery and that's why he
treats many younger patients and elite athletes.
Dr. Berger, who has performed more outpatient joint replacements
than any orthopedic surgeon in the country, also points out that
revision techniques and technologies have improved
significantly. A 2023 study by the AAOS confirmed this
concluding that of study participants who had hip replacement under
age 55, only one percent needed revision surgery due to
advancements in the surgical procedures and materials.
Brent Ruch, a former high school
and collegiate basketball center and Elmhurst University Athletic
Hall of Famer, had his left knee replaced at age 35 after
struggling to go up and down stairs and sitting for long periods of
time.
"Walking with a limp and living with a consistent aching pain
was physically and emotionally difficult. I didn't want to
live like that," Ruch admits. "When Dr. Berger told me I'd be
playing golf in less than six weeks, and that revision surgery
involves replacing the spacer and a much shorter recuperation, I
knew knee replacement was my best option."
A two-sport high school athlete and marathoner, Pete Sturm, Chicago, had to stop running after
experiencing pain in his groin which he thought was a pulled
muscle. He was shocked to find out that at age 35, he had
degenerative arthritis and needed a hip replacement.
Both athletes were walking up and down stairs within two hours
after surgery and returned to exercise within two months.
Ruch is back playing golf and his game has improved. Sturm is
running distances and intends to run a half marathon in the
future.
"Arthritis keeps you from being active and can destroy every
aspect of your life," says Dr. Berger. "No one should have to
live with joint pain, especially when there are minimally invasive
joint replacement procedures that will bring you joy again."
For more information on Dr. Berger, log on to
www.outpatienthipandknee.com.
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SOURCE Dr. Richard Berger