September 26, 2022 – As healthcare workers across Florida recognize September as Healthy Aging Month, a report by the American Joint Replacement Registry shows joint replacement procedures increased by more than 18 percent in 2021 compared to 2020.
The findings provide further evidence of how hip and knee replacement has become widely accepted as a safe and effective way to help people experience “healthy aging” by increasing mobility, addressing other chronic conditions and improving their overall quality of life, according to doctors with HCA Florida Healthcare.
“Eliminating joint pain is crucial not only for restoring mobility, but also for navigating health risks associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and other conditions we typically experience later in life,” said Dr. Edward Silverman, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in Miami. “Bottom line, physical functioning and avoiding an inactive, sedentary lifestyle are absolutely crucial to ensure healthy aging.”
The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis, where the cartilage that cushions the bones wears down, causing the bones to rub against each other resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness, according to Dr. Gavan Duffy, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. Other causes of joint pain include injury, infection, bursitis and other types of arthritis.
Approximately 1.5 million joint replacement surgeries are performed each year. In the U.S., knee replacements outpace hip replacements, and shoulder surgery is less common, though numbers are on the upswing. Patients can have a joint replaced at any age, but the average patient is in their mid-60s, according to HCA Florida Healthcare.
“Joint surgery is safe, effective and increasingly common,” said Dr. Thomas Bendowski, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness, who adds advancements in pain management allow patients to be up and walking sooner than ever before. Joint replacement also can be effective in reducing falls, the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.
According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 49 million Americans are 65 and older with projections estimating the population of older adults will grow to 98 million by 2060. The Council on Aging also estimates on average, a 65-year-old can expect to live another 19 years.
In Florida, 21.3 percent of the state’s population was reported as being 65 and older in 2020, second only to Maine, according to the Population Reference Bureau.
“Healthy aging not only benefits those 65 and older, it also is a tremendous benefit for their adult children who typically bear the emotional and financial burden of caring for their elderly parents,” added Dr. Robert Barry Lurate, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at HCA Florida West Hospital in Pensacola.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 570 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices and freestanding emergency rooms. United as a statewide network in 2021, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and 77,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 7.4 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provided nearly $836.6 million in uncompensated care and invested significantly in innovative technologies and facilities across Florida, including the new $360 million state-of-the-art, multi-specialty HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Fla. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
