Knee artificial joint surgery increased by 7.5% in 3 years...What are the considerations for the elderly?
Dec 24, 2024
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According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of artificial joint surgery cases was 118,695 last year, steadily increasing every year and increasing by about 7.5% in three years. The proportion of super-aged patients aged 80 or older is also on the rise from 11.9% to 12.5%. In particular, as the proportion of the population aged 80 or older has more than quadrupled over the past 25 years, some predict that one in five Koreans will be over 80 by 2050, the number of super-aged patients is expected to increase further.
◇ One out of two super-aged patients in their 80s or older has artificial joint surgery on both sides...the oldest age of 92
According to a survey conducted by Barunseang Hospital (Hospital Director Seo Dong-won), about 14% of artificial joint surgery patients in their 60s or older have performed bilateral joint surgery in the past three years. The oldest person was 92 years old, and it was confirmed that the patient also had surgery on both knees.
In the case of elderly patients, the mental and physical burden of surgery is high, so the possible surgery and hospitalization period are short, and it is recommended to choose a way to lower chronic diseases or complications. To this end, if both knees require surgery, having surgery at once can reduce the burden on the patient.
This is because if you operate both knees at the same time, the surgery proceeds with one anesthesia, and you do not have to repeat the pain after the surgery. According to statistics on surgery patients at Barunseang Hospital, 82 percent of patients in their 80s or older who performed artificial joints on both knees at the same time even though they are of high age for simultaneous surgery due to anemia or chronic diseases.
Director Chung Gu-hwang (Orthopedic Surgeon), head of the Barunseang Hospital Joint Center, said "Artificial joint surgery for the elderly is increasing significantly due to the increase in average life expectancy, physical strength for the elderly, and the development of surgical technology. In this background, I think the development of artificial joint surgery technology is the most important factor compared to the past. The operation time, which took three to four hours, was drastically reduced to less than an hour, and surgery was possible with partial anesthesia, anhydrous blood, and minimal incision. As a result, there is little possibility of complications such as difficulty breathing due to anesthesia or blood transfusion, and pneumonia, so even older adults have greatly reduced the physical burden of surgery."
◇ Before surgery, medical problems and simultaneous surgery on both sides should be carefully examined
Joint health is the basis of longevity for the elderly. This is because walking and moving well can help manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases, and prevent sleep disorders and depression.
However, there are several things to consider before surgery in order for super-aged elderly people to undergo artificial joint surgery.
First of all, the most important thing is the medical problem. In the case of the elderly, if there is a chronic disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it is not a big problem for surgery, but consultation with an internal medicine specialist is essential. Since blood sugar and blood pressure management must be thoroughly managed before and after surgery, it is recommended to visit a hospital where an internal medicine specialist resides if you have a chronic disease.
Next, if both knees need to be operated, it is a decision on whether to do both at the same time or separately with a date.
In the case of elderly patients, the possible surgery and hospitalization period are short, and it is recommended to choose a method that can reduce chronic diseases or complications. If anemia is severe, sugar control is difficult due to diabetes, or if there is a risk of bleeding such as liver disease, it is desirable for one side to operate separately. However, unless this is the case, having surgery on both knees at once can reduce the physical and psychological burden on the patient. This is because the number of hospitalization days is reduced and the rehabilitation period is shorter than performing separate surgery on both sides.
Accordingly, Barunseang Hospital is implementing safe surgical methods for elderly patients with minimal incision, bloodless artificial joint surgery, and robotic surgery. In particular, the Speed Artificial Joint System', which operates both knees at the same time, can reduce the number of hospitalization days from 21 days for each operation to 14 days, providing benefits such as physical burden and reduction in hospitalization costs for elderly patients.
Finally, it is recommended to minimize possible blood transfusions or without blood transfusions because blood transfusions during surgery can cause multiple side effects and complications. This is because if it progresses with bloodless blood, it can maintain immunity and physical strength, so the recovery speed is fast.
Director Chung Gu-hwang said "The reason why surgery is possible without blood transfusion is that preventive treatment is possible to prevent minimal incision and complications. In the case of this hospital, the minimum incision method and anhydrous blood surgery system have been introduced and implemented since 2014. We are using hemostatic equipment and hemostatic agents with less risk of nerve damage for the operation of 'bloodless + minimal incision', and we are implementing safe surgical methods for elderly patients by identifying the risk of blood flow disorders in the lower extremities through preoperative Doppler and arteriosclerosis tests to increase the stability of surgery and create a smooth blood supply environment.'
"In the case of artificial joint surgery, initial rehabilitation is important after surgery, and rehabilitation is completed through hospitalization for 2-3 weeks, so there is no need to worry about rehabilitation."," he added.
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bellho@sportschosun.com
