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Ninety-Something Isn't Too Old for a New Hip or Knee

Do you think someone over 89 years of age is too old for a hip or knee joint replacement? Your answer may depend on which side of 89 you sit! This study from two joint replacement centers reports no greater risk for patients over 89 than for those over 79.

When carefully selected, very old adults can get help from joint replacement. The pain is less, and they are able to get around better. Just these two benefits mean their quality of life is improved. The patient may even live longer than would be possible without the operation.

One difference between an 80-something group and 90-something patients is the use of a walking aid. The over-90 crowd is more likely to end up using a cane or walker after joint replacement surgery. The length of stay in the hospital after the operation is also longer for adults over 89. They are more likely to have some amount of confusion after the operation. Death within the first 30 days after the operation happens in about 3.6 of very old patients. One-third of the patients in this study died within the first two and a half years after the joint replacement.

The authors conclude that joint replacement is an option for some patients over 89 years of age. Patients must be chosen carefully. Risk factors for complications must be minimized and managed for a good result.

References: Michael E. Berend, MD, et al. Total Joint Arthroplasty in the Extremely Elderly: Hip and Knee Arthroplasty after Entering the 89th Year of Life. In Journal of Arthroplasty. October 2003. Vol. 18. No. 7. Pp. 817-822.

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