Obesity Blamed For More Frequent Hip and Knee Replacements

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -
Just as our cars run down and need replacement parts, so do hip and knee replacement parts.

Although some may last 20 or 30 years, many need to be replaced because of injury, infection, or just time.

And Dr. Jordan Simpson, an Orthopedic Surgeon and Texas Tech Physician, says the obesity epidemic is taking a lot of blame for hips and knees that need to be replaced... again.


He says, "With any man made device, increased weight increases the rate at which it will Wear out. So as our patients have gotten younger and heavier, we've seen an increased need to do re-do procedures."

Dr. Jordan adds that there are amazing new advances in technologies that provide better metals and plastics when a revision is necessary.

Bottom line, even if you don’t feel pain after a knee or hip replacement, it is wise to go in for check-ups to make sure your replacement parts are working as they should.

Dr. Jordan says doctors will want a close follow-up for the first year after surgery, then in two weeks, then six weeks after surgery, then three months, then at a year after surgery.

If all goes well the first year, he recommends coming back every election year for an x-ray to make sure all is well… to prevent or anticipate any problems that may come later.

Related Stories

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Moseley Named Permian Basin Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Kelly Moseley, DHSc, R.N., has been named the TTUHSC School of Nursing regional dean in the Permian Basin.

Recent Stories

Research

TTUHSC Teams Selected for 2025 Innosphere Life Sciences Accelerator Cohort

A pair of teams representing TTUHSC earned a spot among the 33 startup groups selected for the 2025 cohort of the Innosphere Life Sciences Accelerator.

Research

Exploring New Frontiers in Patient Care

Jenna Kesey, Ph.D., associate managing director for the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) at TTUHSC, said it's important that the university provides opportunities for its patients to have access to innovative therapies through the clinical trial process.

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.