Want to add from $10, 000 to $30, 000 annually to your lifetime earnings and improve your sex life at the same time? Get a total hip or knee replacement. That is the message of two studies, one published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the other presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The latter study found that the sexual functioning of those who had a total knee replacement (TKR) or hip replacement surgery improved by 90%.
Joint Replacement Improves Earnings and Sex Life
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Joel S. Buchalter, M.D., and board-certified orthopedic surgeon, noted to PR Web that, “More than 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis, the most common reason for knee joint replacement surgery. These studies clearly demonstrate that the benefits of this surgery extend much farther than eliminating pain—a top reason for seeking the procedure—and also enhance patients’ productivity and quality of life.”
The desire to stay active is fueling the growth in joint replacement surgeries nationwide, along with an aging population. TKR surgery is expected to be performed on 3 million patients annually by the year 2030, up from 600, 000 in 2009, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery study showed that the societal benefits for knee replacement patients of working age greatly outweigh the combined cost of the surgery and rehabilitation compared to non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis. More than 90% of those who undergo TKR experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and significant improvements in the ability to perform common daily activities. Almost half of TKR patients are now under age 65, according to the report in PR Web.
The sexual functioning study presented at the AAOS meeting included 174 men and women with an average age of 58. The study found that 49% had suffered from reduced libido prior to their knee or hip replacement and 53% felt their arthritis had hurt their sexual self-image. After surgery, 81% of those whose sexual activity was previously affected had noticed an improvement in the frequency of sexual activity. “Few people think about the effect knee replacement surgery might have on their sex lives, ” explains Douglas J. Fauser, M.D., “but this research clearly shows that eliminating their pain can markedly improve their enjoyment.”
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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