Researchers say half of all hip replacements last 25 years

A new badysis suggests that more than half of hip replacements last at least a quarter of a century.

According to findings published in The Lancet, eight out of ten total knee replacements (82%) and 70% of partial knee replacements also continued working for 25 years.

Operations are two of the most common in the NHS but doctors often find it difficult to answer patients' questions about the duration of the artificial implant, said researchers at Bristol University.

Knee arthroplasties have a long life span (Kirsty Wigglesworth / PA)

It is hoped that their badysis, based on data from studies in six countries, will help clinicians and patients determine whether it is worthwhile to undergo surgery.

"More than two million hip and knee replacements have been performed in the UK since 2003 and patients often ask clinicians how long their hip or knee replacement surgery will last, but up to 19 years. now we have not had a generalizable answer, "said Dr. Jonathan Evans, lead author. .

"Previous studies were based on much smaller samples.

"At best, the NHS has only been able to say how long the replacements are designed to last, instead of referring to the real evidence from the experiences of patients with joint replacement surgery.

"Given the improvements in technology and techniques over the last 25 years, we expect that hip or knee replacements today will last even longer."

A hip replacement consists of two components (University of Bristol / PA)

Researchers estimate that nearly three-quarters of total hip replacements – involving replacement of the ball and socket – will last 15 to 20 years, while 58% are expected to last 25 years.

Approximately 82% of total knee replacements last 25 years, as well as 70% of unicondylar knee arthroplasties, when only the damaged part is replaced.

Hip and knee replacements usually fail due to infection, fractures and wear.

Many patients will then have to undergo revision surgery, which is more difficult than the initial operation, costly and less likely to produce such satisfactory results.

It is therefore useful for doctors and patients to know how long the initial replacement is likely to take.

One in eight total knee arthroplasty lasted 25 years (University of Bristol / PA)

"We hope this information will be helpful to patients when they decide to have a hip or knee replacement," said Dr. Evans.

"We also hope the information will be of interest to patients who already have a hip or knee prosthesis in place."