Joint replacement surgeries are getting increasingly popular in the United States, largely because the technology has improved so much and these procedures are safer than ever to perform. In 2013, there were over 700,000 knee replacement surgeries and about 330,000 procedures for hip and shoulder joint replacement surgery. By the year 2030, this number will increase to almost 3.5 million patients seeking hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement surgery. For anyone who is interested in learning more about this procedure or if you just want to find out some common myths surrounding the topic of orthopedic surgery, keep reading to learn some fast and interesting facts.

Myth #1: It’s not worth it to get knee joint replacement surgery, because the equipment isn’t good quality and won’t last. False!
Modern advances in medical technology have helped to bring the United States to the forefront of joint replacement surgeries, and one of the best things we have to offer is high quality materials to build synthetic joints. Most people — about 85% — who have shoulder joint replacement surgery are satisfied with their new shoulder and get at least 20 years of use out of it. If you want to know more about the different materials used, you should ask your doctor to tell you more.

Myth #2: As far as people who need total hip replacement surgery, the patients are mostly men. False!
Actually, the majority of the patients are female. There are six women for every four men who get hip replacements, and there are lots of reasons for this. Women are more prone to having osteoporosis, which is a disease that causes bones to lose density and break more easily. Because of their increased susceptibility to osteoporosis, women also are at a greater risk for hurting a hip in case of a fall or other accident. The best way to avoid this is prevention, and if you want to know more about how to keep your bones healthy then you should talk with your doctor.

Myth #3: Serious accidents are the leading cause of hip replacement surgeries. False!
In line with the information above, the leading reason that people need to get hip joint replacement surgery is because they suffer from osteoarthritis. It doesn’t always even take a serious fall or extensive trauma to result in the need for a new hip. Sometimes, the bones just decay over time so much that it is painful to even walk or move, and someone who exhibits these symptoms is the prime candidate for joint replacement surgery. The procedure can alleviate pain and greatly improve quality of life for many people.

Myth #4: Surgery prep is minimal, I just go in to the hospital the day of the procedure and the hip joint replacement doctor will perform the procedure. False!
If you think that there is no prep involved for this surgery, then you should definitely do some research to learn about all the things you have to do to prepare. You should really talk to your doctor as well to learn the things that may be specific to your situation, like medications you have to change before the procedure. People who are on blood thinners like aspirin or other anticoagulants will need to cease taking these prescriptions for at least two weeks before surgery, because it can make it easier for the patient to bleed. Additionally, you can’t eat on the day of the procedure. To see more, read this.