Knee replacement surgery increases in the over-50s

Knee replacement surgery incidences increase among those who are over-50, according to new research.

A study at Helsinki University Central Hospital revealed that partial and total knee arthroplasty increased rapidly among 30 to 59-year-olds over a 27 year period, with the greatest number occurring among those between 50 and 59-years-of-age.

The increase was found to also be particularly prevalent among women, with total incidents of knee replacements over the last ten years 1.6 to 2.4-fold higher in females than in men.

It has also been reported that exercise after knee replacement surgery is critical for recovery for patients of all ages.

Researchers at the University of Delaware claim that exercise can actually improve the function of a new knee to nearly that of a healthy adult of the same age.

Professor Lynn Snyder-Mackler, contributory author of the study, commented: "It sounds logical that exercises to strengthen your knee should be a component of your post-operative physical therapy after a total knee replacement, but it's not the convention at all."

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