Baby Boomers Adding to Knee, Hip Surgeries

Knees and hips that are worn out and shoulder pain once referred to incidents that mainly affect the seniors of the nation now have baby boomers adding to the count of hip and knee surgeries. Now, baby boomers are just hammering away at their knees and joints creating an up rise in surgeries to fix them.

Over the last ten years knee replacement surgeries have doubled and among the 45 to 64 year old age group have actually tripled according to the latest research.

What is causing this trend; it is not the likely suspect of obesity directly but indirectly from trying to maintain fitness and trying not to gain a few extra pounds. All of this is wrecking havoc on the baby boomers. Who view those worn out joints to simply just be replaced and they will be as good as new.

Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, surgeon from Philadelphia refers to it as "boomeritis" or "fix-me-it is". According to Dr. DiNubile it is the psychology of fix me regardless of cost and turning back time. Dr. DiNubile is an advisor for several pro athletic groups and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Baby boomers are attempting to remain active in the masses on an aging frame. They are less than willing to use a cane or endure pain and stiffness like their grandparents had endured.

Now, thanks to the massive industry advocating through television ads and other media sources informing the baby boomers that they do not have to endure what their grandparents did ads to the fueling surgeries.

Tennis great Billie Jean King, age 67, happily advocates the "30-year" Smith and Nephew knees she had gotten just last year.

Joint replaces have made it possible for people to live better lives and surgeons are greatly comfortable giving this option to the younger crowd.

The negative side to this all is no one for certain knows how well the implants will do in the active baby boomers who are receiving them currently. Among the studies conducted most of them were on the senior group whose only intention for the replacement was being able to see the grandchildren play sports and not playing sports themselves.

Just recently at a orthopedics conference, those studies presented had discovered that knee replacements are enduring for twenty years with the caution that this is in seniors who were not putting stress on the new joints by playing sports. Plus there are still the usual risk of surgeries such as infection and blood clots. According to specialists replacements in the younger crowd increase the chances for more future surgeries when the current replacements wear down.

Dr. William Robb, orthopedics chief at NorthShore University HealthSystem in suburban Chicago stated that they think carefully about patients under 50 years old and do talk many of them out of joint replacements.

In 2009, 288,471 hip replacements were done and almost half were for people under 65.

Knee replacements have sky rocketed from 264,311 in 1997 to 621,029 in 2009 with almost triple in the 45 to 64 year old age group.

In closing Dr. DiNubile notes "being active is the closest thing to the fountain of youth". However, people need to adjust their exercise habits due to the fact they are overdoing one sport, not stretching or doing something else which places their joints at risk.

Some recommendations from experts include:

A balance of routines to build strength, flexibility, and core muscles along with cardiovascular health.

Weight loss. Every extra pound that you have puts five pounds of pressure on the knees.

In between work outs rest muscles and joints.

If you have had a joint replaced make sure you do the physical therapy which is recommended.

Some exercises to start you on the way:

Power Yoga

Quickly becoming the rage blends a variety of strength and flexibility exercises.

Core Exercises

The core of the body is the center of gravity, so strong core muscles like the abdomen give support to your spine for everything such as walking and sitting. Weak core muscles can result in poor posture, low back pain and even injury. Core exercises can be done at home or in the gym.

Cardio Exercise

Things like jogging; walking and running are common kinds of cardio vascular exercise or aerobic exercise. Swimming, rowing and biking all fit in the group for cardio. Sources:

CBS News

Health Yoga

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