Dr. Joshua Jacobs, MOR hip and knee replacement specialist was recently featured in the New York Times article, Getting a New Knee or Hip? Do it Right the First Time. The article recognizes that while a new hip or knee can be life changing, it is important to choose a qualified surgeon that will help the patient to achieve optimal results.

Choosing an experienced surgeon that performs a high volume of hip and knee replacements annually should be a priority. It is important that the patient be educated. The patient should research implants and know what the procedure entails. Dr. Jacobs commented, "A good surgeon will recommend an implant that makes sense for your age, activity level and the shape of your joint." It is also important to ask for recommendations, either from a trusted physician or friends and family that have had successful knee or hip replacements.

The article also discussed the implementation of the American Joint Replacement Registry. The registry will be similar to one used in Sweden, where the hip and knee replacement failure rate is estimated to be one third of that in the United States. The registry will be a database of information from which orthopaedic surgeons can learn how and why certain procedures failed. This will also help surgeons to determine if a specific type of implant is more problematic than others. The registry will begin collecting data from hospitals around the country in the next 12-18 months.

Knee and hip replacements continue to become more popular as many patients are able to resume activities that they never thought possible. However, no matter how routine the procedure seems to become it is important to be an educated patient and choose a qualified surgeon.

To read the full article visit: www.nytimes.com