Am I Too Old for a Hip Replacement?

If you think you’ve missed the age window for hip replacement surgery, there’s good news. Techniques and technology now make hip replacements viable for many more seniors, and age is not a primary deciding factor for most patients. 

At 360 Orthopedics in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, we know that a prosthetic hip may make a tremendous difference in the quality of your life through reduced pain and increased independence and mobility.  

So, if hip replacement surgery is still on the table for you, what do you need to know? Let’s take a look at the current state of the process. 

General health matters more than your birthday

At 360 Orthopedics, we look at you and your health when evaluating your suitability for a hip replacement. Age simply isn’t a cutoff point without considering all aspects of your condition. 

Ahead of surgery, we’ll evaluate factors such as: 

• The health of your cardiopulmonary system
• Chronic health conditions and the impact these have
• Bone density
• Suitability for surgical anesthesia

There’s no hard and fast age limit for hip replacement. Patients in their 80s and 90s can benefit from the surgery as much as those who are decades younger. 

Prosthesis life 

In the past, some joint replacement surgery decisions may have factored in the expected life of the prosthetic. Postponing surgery with conservative and intermediate treatments was sometimes advised so that the joint replacement would likely outlast its recipient. 

Improved technology means that prosthetics themselves have improved and last longer. While implant life is still a factor, it’s not as significant as it once was. There’s no longer a need to postpone hip replacement at a young age to avoid surgery later in life. 

Are you a candidate for hip replacement?

Signs that you might benefit from a hip replacement now include: 

• Hip pain limits your ability to walk, climb stairs, complete tasks, or care for yourself
• Conservative care (including activity modification, oral medications, joint injections, and physical therapy) no longer provides sufficient relief from pain
• Stiffness of the hips increases the risk of falling
• Sleep quality suffers due to overnight hip pain

Meeting with our team can help you decide on a strategy for hip joint care, even if you’re unsure about surgery at this time. Preoperative evaluation can help you prepare for a successful procedure by assuring your body is ready for the rigors of surgery. 

Physical therapy ahead of your hip replacement can help to improve your outcome, and you have time to prepare for your postoperative needs to ease the recovery process. 

Hip replacement offers the same benefits regardless of your age. You can expect significant reductions in your current levels of pain while gaining mobility and the freedom it provides. Your capacity for exercise increases too. 

Learn more about all of the quality-of-life benefits on offer from hip replacement surgery by contacting 360 Orthopedics for a personal consultation. Call our nearest office to book your visit today.