How long have knee replacements been performed?
Modern knee replacement surgery began in the early 1970s. Over the last 30 years, the procedure has been refined and improved, and is now one of the most successful surgical procedures for the treatment of knee arthritis. Assuming there are no breakthrough preventive treatments for the conditions that lead to total knee arthroplasty, by the year 2030 the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that about 450,000 total knee arthroplasty procedures will be performed annually. This is a significant increase from 245,000 total knee replacements performed in 1996, and reflects the aging of our active and mobile culture.
