Knee Replacements on the Rise

Approximately 600,000 total knee replacement procedures were performed across the country in 2012, with the demand expected to rise to as high as 3 million knee replacement procedures per year by 2030. Dr. D. David Ernst, joint replacement surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron has been performing knee replacement procedures on local residents for the past 32 years and has noticed a significant increase over the past two years.

“The increase is partially due to an aging patient population,” Dr. Ernst explains. “But people are also more active now than ever before, and this active, competitive lifestyle may lead to the need for a knee replacement earlier in life. In the past, people may have been willing to postpone a replacement, but now, more people in the 40-50 age group are eager to undergo a joint replacement procedure so they can continue with their active lifestyles.”

For local patient Little McDermott, many years of wear and tear from working out caused severe arthritis in both knees. Eventually, the pain progressed to a point where he could no longer walk up or down stairs, ride a bike, or stand for long periods of time. Dr. Ernst recently performed a total knee replacement on McDermott’s right knee, and he has already returned to activity.

“I don’t have any joint pain in my knee anymore,” McDermott says. “I’m back to walking, cycling, and working out without any restrictions.”

For more information about joint replacement or to schedule an appointment, contact Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron at (810) 985-4900.