How long will it last?
I often get asked the question, "How long will my new knee or hip last?"
Longevity of joint replacements vary from patient to patient. It depends on many factors, such as a patient’s physical condition, activity level, and weight, as well as the accuracy of implant placement during surgery. It is useful to keep in mind that prosthetic joints are not as strong or durable as a natural, healthy joint, and there is no guarantee that a prosthetic joint will last the rest of a patient’s life.
Today, joint replacement has become a common and predictable procedure. Many patients enjoy relief from pain and improved function, compared to their status before surgery. As a result, some patients may have unrealistic expectations about what the prosthetic knee or hip can do and how much activity it can withstand. As a mechanical joint, the hinge components move against each other. Natural fluid in the joint space, called synovial fluid, helps to lubricate the implant just as it lubricates the bones and cartilage in a natural joint. Still, the prosthetic components do wear as they roll and slide against each other during movement.
As with car tires or brake pads, the rate of wear depends partly on how the knee or hip joint is used. Activities that place a lot of stress on the joint implants, as may be the case with heavier and more active patients, may reduce the service life of the prosthesis. Implant loosening and wear on the plastic portions of the implant can lead to the necessity for revision surgery to replace the worn components, or all of the components.
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