How long do Total Joint Replacements last?
The earliest total hip and knee replacements were made of metal and plastic parts which were cemented (not glued) to prepared bone surfaces in the hip or the knee joint. If done well they stood a good chance of lasting over 10 years. The weak links were the polyethylene parts wearing out, the cement-bone connection coming loose, or the bone dissolving away due to the body’s reaction to plastic wear debris. Today, most total joints avoid cement altogether, thus solving one problem. But if cement is needed, as in some total knees, newer cementing techniques help avoid the likelihood of early cement breakdown. Also, today’s polyethylene is stronger and wears better, lasting longer.

Lastly, if the joint parts are installed as accurately as possible, they put less stress on the adjacent bone and see less stress themselves, both factors leading to a longer artificial joint lifespan. New instruments allow more accurate placement in smaller incisions. Computer navigation to assist the accurate placement of the parts is the newest and best way to achieve this goal. All in all, I usually tell patients that if all goes well, they can look forward to 15 to 20 years of use out of their new joint, and perhaps more.