Putting Mom’s Health First On Mother’s Day

Studies Show Women Delay Getting Knee Replacement Surgery, But Waiting Has Significant Costs

Warsaw, IN – While the prevalence of osteoarthritis-related disability is greater among women than among men, studies suggest women receive treatment such as knee replacement surgery later in the course of their disease.1 In fact, women wait until they have significantly worse knee function before having needed knee replacement surgery.2

This Mother’s Day, DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., is focusing attention on the health of America’s moms by elevating awareness of knee replacement surgery and dispelling myths about the surgery. To help Americans encourage their mothers to turn the tables and care for themselves, DePuy is making Mother’s Day e-Cards available that urge mothers to find out more about knee replacement surgery. To view the e-Cards, please visit www.kneereplacement.com.

Women Delay Taking Action

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, women suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) at a rate more than double that of men3, yet they are three times less likely to undergo a total knee replacement.4

“Most of the disability from osteoarthritis of the knee can be reduced with knee replacement and we can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life,” said Dr. John Wright, an orthopaedic surgeon at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. “It’s unfortunate that so many women who could benefit from knee replacement are not undergoing this procedure.”

In a study published by Arthritis & Rheumatism, researchers found that delaying surgery can lower a patient’s quality of life even more than OA does on its own, both before and for up to two years after surgery.5 There is no cure for OA and it is degenerative, which means that the pain and limited mobility can get worse over time.6

Diane Hughes, a 57-year-old mother of two who works as a visiting care nurse, was encouraged by her family to move forward with knee replacement surgery. “I considered postponing my surgery, even though I knew I needed it, because my father was ill.”

Fortunately, Diane’s family encouraged her not to delay: “My family said I limped when I walked and it was painful for them to watch me. It was especially difficult to work as a visiting home nurse since I needed to walk around a large city. Now, whenever I climb up or down stairs, I feel great. I don’t even think about my knee anymore.”

Knee replacement is not for everyone. There are potential risks. Recovery takes time, and success depends on factors like age, weight and activity level. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can tell if knee replacement is right for a patient.

Mother’s Day e-Cards

The Mother’s Day e-Cards are available at www.kneereplacement.com. Kneereplacement.com also offers a vast array of tools to help moms to explore their treatment options. The site includes patient stories, screening tools, a knee replacement technology center, a surgeon locator and information about free educational seminars sponsored by DePuy across the country.