Knee Replacements Soar Among Older Americans
Just like baby boomers, older folks have seen a surge in knee replacements.
The findings are from a study of more than 3 million Medicare patients who got artificial knees over two decades. The number of initial knee-replacements done each year more than doubled during that time.
There were nearly 244,000 in 2010. The study authors say the increase is partly driven by a desire to stay active and by obesity, which takes a toll on joints. The aging population and rising numbers of Medicare enrollees also contributed.
The pace of growth slowed in more recent years — possibly because increasing numbers of younger adults have also been getting artificial knees.
The study appears in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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