Study estimates number of Americans living with TKR to be in the millions

An estimated 4 million Americans aged 50 years or older have an intact, primary total knee replacement, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health and presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2012 Annual Meeting.

The number, study researcher Elena Losina, MD, said, represents 4.2% of all Americans in that age bracket.

“Among U.S. adults aged 50 plus, [total knee replacement] TKR is considerably more prevalent than rheumatoid arthritis and nearly as prevalent as congestive heart failure,” she said during her presentation. “About 1.5 million U.S. adults aged 50 to 69 years are likely to live long enough to be at-risk for revision TKR.”

Losina and colleagues used a state-transition, computer-simulation model and information from U.S. Census data, the National Health Interview Survey, and the Multicenter Osteoarthritis study and Osteoarthritis Initiative to conduct their study.

Among Americans aged 50 years or older, the investigators estimated that 3.4% of men and 4.9% of women are living with a TRK. “The estimated lifetime risk of primary TKR ranges from 6.9% for males to 9.6% for females,” Losina said. The researchers also found that the prevalence of TKR increases with older age.

“This data underscores an urgent need for studying long-term outcomes in younger persons undergoing total knee replacement,” she said.

Losina noted that data on the prevalence of TKR should be used when planning health services including the anticipated volume of revision TKRs, and management of periprosthetic fractures and infection.

Reference:

• Weinstein AM, Rome B, Reichmann WM, et al. How many Americans are currently living with total knee replacement? Paper #797. Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2012 Annual Meeting. Feb 7-11. San Francisco.
• Disclosure: Losina has no relevant financial disclosures.