What are the success rates of knee replacement surgery in a 72-year-old female?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 72-year-old female, my doctor suggested knee replacement surgery one by one or both knees together. I can walk up to 109 to 164 yards only and I cannot take stairs or sit down at a place. The pain is also there, because of which I want to go for surgery. I am afraid that because of the knee replacement, I will be able to walk again or not. Please suggest whether should I go for surgery or not. I need a second opinion because of some reasons which are:

1. What is the success rate of surgery above 70 years?

2. Which one is better for my age group, robotic knee replacement or manual knee replacement?

3. Shall I go for one by one knee replacement or both knees together?

4. Pros and cons of knee replacement at this stage which are more?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, knee replacement surgery is a lifestyle-changing surgery. The decision does not depend on X-rays or investigations. It depends on the amount of problem and the impact it has on your lifestyle. You cannot walk for more than 164 yards which is quite debilitating. Hence, you should undergo this surgery. Robotic knee replacement has no added advantage, it is not the robot that is doing surgery. The surgery is done by the surgeon only but the cuts are be planned on a robot and they are more precise. But long-term literature shows no difference between robotic and non-robotic. Knee replacement is quite a rewarding surgery and nowadays the results are very good. Most of the patients do well but there is risk in every walk of life, even the smallest surgery like an appendix or gall bladder can have devastating complications. But we have to see the chances of having that complication which is very low nowadays in knee replacement surgery. Most knee replacement is done at this age only and has good outcomes as I have previously mentioned. One by one or both together depending on the surgeon. I prefer to do them one by one, but other doctors prefer to do both together. So this decision should be left to the surgeon who is going to operate on you. The pros are that it will improve your lifestyle and will overcome your day-to-day limitations. I do not see any cons in this surgery if the indication is right and your pain is originating from the knee. I hope I have cleared all your doubts.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Unilateral or bilateral is the surgeon's choice, so leave it on the provider. I hope I have cleared all your doubts.

Thank you.