Tip: Knee, hip replacements for boomers, seniors

The joint may not be jumping, but if you're older than 50, there's a good chance it's popping, grinding or clicking.

Hip and knee replacements have become common surgeries for boomers and seniors whose joints have been weakened by arthritis or injury. About 600,000 knee replacements and 200,000 total hip replacements are done in the United States each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Most hip replacements are performed on people older than 50 with arthritis. Knee replacements are done on a more varied age group, because many of those surgeries are to repair sports-related injuries. Since the 1960s, both surgeries have become more common and less invasive.

In the past, older people with achy hips or knees would have to groan and bear it until the pain became intolerable. But many boomers and seniors are having the surgery before the pain becomes debilitating because they want to stay mobile as long as possible.

"Older people are more active than they've ever been," says Dr. Bradley Gerber, chief of total joint replacement surgery at South Nassau Communities Hospital. While some boomers and seniors opt for joint replacements to continue being weekend warriors, most do the surgery because of everyday concerns. "The key phrase is quality of life," says Gerber, also an orthopedic specialist at Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group in Rockville Centre. "When the quality of life decreases, you can't shop, you can't vacation, you can't walk your dog."

When does the minor ache become a major pain that might call for hip-

replacement surgery? "The classic signs are the inability to walk a great distance, stiffness in the morning when you wake up or after sitting in one position for a while," Gerber says. The academy says surgery also may be necessary for people who get little pain relief from prescription medicines or physical therapy.

The cost of total hip replacement or knee replacement surgery is about $30,000, Gerber says. He says private health insurance or Medicare will typically cover most of the costs. Rehabilitation time is 4 to 6 weeks. The vast majority of the surgeries go well, leaving the patient pain free for decades. "You have upwards of a 97 or 98 percent chance of having a good or excellent result," Gerber says. "And the effects can last as long as 30 years."

For more information on joint replacements, go to aaos.com.