Did you know that hip and knee replacement surgeries didn't begin in the United States until 1969? These type of procedures have improved dramatically and are one of the most common elective surgeries. Why do people need to have a joint replaced? Degenerative osteoarthritis…which is also the most common joint disorder, is typically the culprit. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 11 million Americans will have either artificial hips, knees, or both. Joint replacement recipients are a diverse group of people - younger adults can and do receive artificial joints, though most recipients are age 50 and over.
The founder of Anderson Therapeutics received her first hip replacement in 2011…at age 45. At that time her orthopedic surgeon shared that he and his colleagues were anticipating a high demand and to soon treat much younger patients. Joint replacement is very prevalent and becoming commonplace, it offers relief and a solution for patients who are in pain and experiencing limited mobility. Though joint replacement surgery is not without risk, is costly, and patients undergoing this surgery often manage multiple chronic conditions.
Currently there is a gap in follow-up care. Significant percentages of recipients experience pain and a poor quality of life long after receiving an artificial joint. Longitudinal studies among such a unique population are lacking. Hip replacement used to be a last resort procedure since the new equipment rarely lasted for 10-12 years. Our Founder had this to say about receiving artificial joints at such a young age:
The joints I currently house are improved models. My surgeon promised me that as long as I was a proactive patient, led a healthy lifestyle, avoided injury, and maintained a lean weight that my artificial joints would work well for 25-30 years.
- Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES
This is sound advice for everyone of course, whether you have artificial or natural joints.
Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery offers a holistic approach to living well with any type of artificial joint (hip, knee, or shoulder). Bionic people like our Founder seek resources enabling them to lead active lives (that are relatively pain free), and can ideally outlive their implants. Repeating a very painful surgery and even more painful recovery is something patients hope to avoid. Butternut to Bionic shares insights from a personal journey and is the resource guide that our Founder wished for prior to her three life-changing procedures (dual hip replacement and one revision surgery). This resource guide was nominated for the 2018 AARP Purpose Prize, the 2018 Health Literacy Award, and has received rave reader and editorial reviews (Online Book Club, GoodReads, Reader Views).
Learn more about the author here.
Be Well! ~The Anderson Therapeutics Team