How Long Will My Hip Replacement Last?

A common question we as surgeons, and you as the consumer, are faced with is: “How long will my hip replacement last?” It’s easy to rattle off a number, but the reality is not so cut-and-dry.

According to CDC data, in 2010 alone >310,000 hip replacements were performed in patients age 45 and older. Recent projections expect that number may reach almost 600,000 by 2030. We are seeing a significant increase in hip replacements for younger patients. From 2000-2010, the population with the largest volume increase was age 45-54. Additionally, by 2010, hip replacements in patients age 55-64 accounted for a higher percentage than those >75.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Hospital Discharge Survey, 2000 and 2010.

This translates to a younger, and often more physically-demanding, population receiving hip replacements. The components are a combination of ceramics, plastics, and metals. Increased physical demands classically translate to more rapid wear. Using a car analogy, if you drive your car harder and faster, you cannot expect your tires to last as long as they would if you never slammed on the gas or the breaks…. therefore, treat your joint right and it should last longer, right?

Wear of common hip bearing surfaces

A common reply to the longevity question is that your hip will last 15-20 years. Most data now suggest that hip and knee replacements have an annual failure rate of 0.5-1%. This means that a joint replaced today will have a 90-95% chance of lasting 10 years and an 80-85% chance that it will last 20 years. Barring complication, we hope and expect that advances in technology and bearing surfaces will keep your new joint functioning much longer!

Research on bearing surfaces is often hard to control, and most is performed in the lab on a motion/impact simulator. It is important to recognize that claims made by industry are not entirely validated once that joint is implanted into a patient. While the components make up a large part of the longevity of your new joint, the implanted position of the components among other patient specific factors significantly influence the life of the replacement. With this in mind, the marketing claims are based on lab data and should not entirely be taken literally.

The best way to learn about options for you is to contact a trained professional. Contact Dr. Werger at The Bone and Joint Center today to learn more!

(617) 779-6500

Kurtz S et al. Projections of primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States from 2005 to 2030. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007 Apr;89(4):780-5.

Wolford ML, Palso K, Bercovitz A. Hospitalization for total hip replacement among inpatients aged 45 and over: United States, 2000–2010. NCHS data brief, no 186. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.