Demographics
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), there are about 270,000 knee replacement operations performed each year in the United States. Although about 70% of these operations are performed in people over the age of 65, a growing number of joint replacements are being done in younger patients. A Canadian survey released in January 2003 stated that the number of joint replacements performed in patients younger than 55 rose 90% between 1994 and 2001. Most surgeons expect to see the proportion of arthroplasties performed in younger patients continue to rise. One reason for this trend is improvements in surgical technique, as well as the design and construction of the prostheses since the first replacement was performed in 1968. Although most joint prostheses are still cemented in place as of 2003, cementless prostheses were introduced in the 1980s. A second reason is people's changing attitudes toward aging and their expectations of an active life after retirement. Fewer are willing to endure years of discomfort or resign themselves to a restricted level of activity.
In terms of gender and racial differences, women are slightly more likely to seek replacement surgery than men, and Caucasians in the United States are more likely to have the operation than African Americans. Researchers have suggested that one reason for the racial difference is a difference in social networks. People in general are influenced in their health care decisions by the experiences and opinions of friends or family members, and Caucasians are more likely than African Americans to know someone who has had joint replacement surgery. There is no alternative to Health Insurance but for a next best thing a Health Savings Account can be your second choice.