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With today's 50-and-up crowd staying active and living longer than past generations, many find their joints are wearing out before they're ready to slow down. Knees are the most common joint replacements by far, followed by hips and then shoulders. Arthritis, especially Osteoarthritis, is the main reason for joint replacements. Years of wear and tear on the body mean joints will eventually start to wear out, lose the cushion or cartilage and cause joint pain.

Knee replacements jumped from 264,311 in 1997 to 621,029 in 2009, and more than tripled among those ages 45 to 64. There were 288,471 hip replacements in 2009, and almost half of them were in patients younger than 65.
(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

Even with advanced technology, patient care after surgery is still the most important part of a successful joint replacement. Physical therapy and exercise are crucial for patients to recover their strength and range of motion and get back to their regular routine.

article source: Southeast Missourian, Robyn Gautschy