Demand for Total Joint replacement on the rise in Pennsylvania

April 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Harrisburg, PA, April 04, 2012 - The Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (POS) acknowledged the findings of a Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) report released today. Information contained in the report, Orthopedic Surgery in Pennsylvania: Total Joint Replacement and Common Spine Procedures, indicates Pennsylvania has followed the national trend of increased joint replacement procedures and spinal fusion.

Total joint replacements are among the most commonly performed and clinically successful surgical procedures in the United States. Typical reasons for these joint replacement procedures are pain and decreased quality of life from osteoarthritis. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that by 2030 the demand for total hip replacements will increase 175% and the demand for total knee replacements is projected to grow six fold”, stated POS President Greg Gallant, MD MBA. “The PHC4 data shows that Pennsylvania has a mature and active senior population who want to stay in the game. The Baby Boom generation has broken down many barriers and they are now conquering a sedentary old age.  Advancing orthopedic technology will help pave the way to meet the need predicted by the CDC and demanded by Pennsylvania’s aging citizens.”  New research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that more than 4.5 million Americans are living with a total knee replacement (TKR), as the number of TKR surgeries has more than doubled over the past decade.

Joint replacement rates in Pennsylvania, according to the PHC4 report, are slightly higher than the national average. “The slight increase in this statistic is indicated by the Commonwealth’s aging population the percentage of citizens over the age of 65”, Gallant indicated, “according to 2010 national census data, Pennsylvania ranks 4th in the United States by percentage of population age 65 and older . The prevalence of osteoarthritis in an aging population is a significant contributor to the growing demand for joint replacement procedures.”

The PHC4 data also shows that Pennsylvania is in line with national trends in regard to common spine procedures.

“An increase in demand for procedures comes with a price, however,” said Gallant. “POS members are taking active steps to reduce hospital costs while simultaneously improving patient care. One of which is the development of a national joint registry. “  The American Joint Replacement Registry is designed to collect data from hospitals around the country in order to recognize patterns in implant performance. “Improved information on device and treatment effectiveness provides the opportunity to reduce revision rates, reduce complication rates, and improved device selection to maximize longevity and function; the intent is that the registry will bring both improved patient safety and a significant cost reduction.”

Restoring patient quality of life and maintaining patient safety are paramount in all total joint procedures. Surgeons and hospitals have taken steps to prevent infection and other complications which may result from these surgeries. “Surgeons are partnering with hospitals to implement cost effective patient centered care. Programs such as patient post-operative planning help increase mobility and improve outcomes,” said Gallant.

POS is a professional medical specialty organization representing over 1000 orthopaedic surgeons across Pennsylvania in advocating for excellence in the practice of orthopaedic medicine. For more information on the importance of bone, joint and muscle health at every age, visit the POS website at www.paorthosociety.org

Contact:
Beth Weachter
PA Orthopaedic Society
510 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-909-8901
beth@paorthosociety.org
http://www.paorthosociety.org/