Increasing Numbers of Knee Replacements Save

Knee replacement surgery is on the rise, and so is the cost.

According to recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control, Bloomberg reports, the rate of knee replacements nearly doubled between 2000 to 2010 (for those over 45 yrs of age). What’s more, the average age at which Americans got their knees replaced fell significantly, from 69 in 2000 to 66 in 2010. In total, there were over five million knee replacement surgeries performed during the decade.

The aging of society and increasing prevalence of obesity is driving most of this osteoarthritis related surgery. In the UK, the National Health service estimates that half of all knee and hip replacements are due to obesity.

Knee arthroplasty is estimated to be a $4 billion market with growing costs to insurers and patients. According to consumer reports the price varies nationwide.  In Alameda County TKR costs more than $52,000, on average. By comparison, in Central San Joaquin insurers paid health care providers just $21,000.  Out-of-pocket costs to the patient were covered by half of people who had a knee replacement in the Sacramento Valley area, but in Western Los Angeles County more than half of those with the procedure were on the hook for at least $750.