Having an operation when you’re old does carry risks – but the just released 2018 Joint Replacement Registry Report from the Australian Orthopaedic Association has reported the rare instances of death in the 30 day post operative period being 1/1,000 for those under 80, 5/1,000 in patients 80-89, and 13/1,000 in patients over 90. So its not insignificant, but it’s not very different than the background rate. Also interesting – the five-year survival (patients alive at 5 years) is 94% for patients under 80, 78% for patients 80-89, and 57% for patients over 90. And finally – patients over 80 are extremely unlikely to undergo a further operation to that joint. So there is not much to fear in putting it off until you need it.

The reason to have a joint replacement is pain or disability. If you don’t have much of either, the risk of surgery includes not making you better enough for it to have been worthwhile. On knee replacement – weight bearing x-rays not
showing “bone on bone” arthritis puts you at higher risk of not being happy with the result. Conversely – some x-ray reports suggest “early” or “mild” hip arthritis – but the symptoms can be severe. If symptoms and signs correlate, patients are very happy to be rid of central pole arthritis and protrusio.

From the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry, 2018.