Long-term results of total joint arthroplasty in elderly patients who are frail.
Many studies of joint replacement in the aged population include a wide spectrum of geriatric patients ranging from relative healthy and otherwise vigorous younger-elderly to small numbers of much older patients with many comorbid problems. To clarify the latter patient subset we assessed the results of total hip and knee arthroplasties done on a group of frail elderly patients. We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative and postoperative charts and radiographs of 130 patients who were at least 80 years when they had a total joint arthroplasty. One hundred arthroplasties (70 hips, 30 knees) were done. On a subjective grading scale, 95% of the patients were very satisfied, 5% reported satisfactory outcomes and no patients considered their results poor. After surgery, 90% of the patients became community walkers without assistance. The level of independent living was maintained in 97% of patients at long-term followup. Causes of morbidity included two infections, one dislocation, and one leg-length discrepancy. This study specifically addresses the outcomes of total joint replacement in elderly patients who are frail. We show that satisfactory and cost-effective health outcomes can be anticipated after total joint arthroplasties in this age group.
Peter and Leni May Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 5 East 98th Street, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Asit K
AK
Shah
James
J
Celestin
Michael L
ML
Parks
Roger N
RN
Levy
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome