Knee Replacement: At What Age Do They Stop Surgery?

• May, 20 2025
• 0

This question pops up all the time: is there an age when doctors stop doing knee surgery? Short answer—there’s no hard cutoff. You won’t find some magic number where someone says, “Sorry, you just turned 80, that’s it!” People get knee replacements well into their 80s, and sometimes even beyond.

But here’s the real deal: doctors don’t care as much about the number on your last birthday as they do about your overall health. Someone who’s 78, gets around by themselves, controls their blood pressure, and isn’t dealing with big heart or lung problems is a way better candidate than a 65-year-old who can barely walk from other health issues. There’s actually solid research showing folks in their late seventies and beyond do just fine, or sometimes even better than younger folks who aren’t healthy.

If you or a loved one are wondering if you’re “too old” for knee replacement, focus less on age and more on how you’re functioning day-to-day. Can you get up and move around? Do your other health problems feel under control? This stuff matters way more than your birth year.

• Does Age Really Limit Knee Surgery?
• What Matters More Than Your Age?
• Common Myths About Knee Replacement and Age
• Making the Right Decision for You

Does Age Really Limit Knee Surgery?

A lot of people think once you hit a certain age, you’re automatically out of luck when it comes to knee surgery. But the truth? There’s no official age limit for knee replacement. Surgeons all over the world are giving new knees to folks well into their eighties, and sometimes even into their nineties.

Modern research backs this up. According to a 2023 US National Joint Registry report, about 15% of all knee replacements go to patients over age 80. That’s not a small number. It’s proof that being “too old” is mostly a myth.

“Age itself isn’t a reason to skip knee replacement—what matters is how healthy you are overall and what your goals are,” says Dr. William Bugbee, orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Health.

The main concerns for older patients are usually about healing and possible complications, not just age. Recovery can take a bit longer and there’s a higher risk of stuff like infection or blood clots, but studies show that strong, active seniors often bounce back just as well as younger folks.

Check out this table for a quick look at the numbers from real-world data:

So, if you’re thinking about knee replacement, don’t let age freak you out. The real question isn’t “Am I too old?” but “Am I healthy enough?” If you’re dealing with bad arthritis, can’t sleep at night, and find it tough to do the things you love, surgery is still on the table—age is just one piece of the puzzle.

What Matters More Than Your Age?

A lot of people stress out about their age when thinking about knee replacement, but it’s not the main thing surgeons look at. There are other boxes you need to check that make a much bigger difference in whether you’ll do well after surgery.

First up is your overall health. Doctors always check your heart and lung status before surgery because these can make or break your recovery. If you’ve got issues like uncontrolled diabetes, serious heart problems, or advanced lung disease, surgeons may want to fix those before even talking surgery. Being able to get up and move around easily also puts you in the “good for surgery” group, no matter if you’re 55 or 85.

Next, let’s talk about mobility. Can you still walk on your own? Are you mostly active or stuck in bed? If you can get up, move around, and handle basic stuff (like getting dressed), doctors are way more likely to say yes to surgery because you’ll be able to recover faster and handle rehab.

Here’s a straightforward checklist most surgeons use before giving you the green light:

• You don’t have infections or big sores on your legs.
• Your heart and lungs are reasonably strong.
• You can get around by yourself, at least somewhat.
• Your weight is managed (super high BMI can be a problem).
• You understand what recovery will be like and can stick to physical therapy.

A good example—data from a large U.S. hospital group showed patients over 80 with decent health had similar or just slightly higher rates of complications compared to those a decade younger. But patients with more health problems, regardless of age, had a lot more trouble.

If you’re serious about surgery, ask your doctor to walk through these factors. Focusing on what you can control will put you in the best spot—so try to get moving, keep your blood pressure and sugars in check, and build a little strength before the big day. Your future self will thank you.

Common Myths About Knee Replacement and Age

When people start thinking about knee replacement, tons of myths start flying around, especially about how old is “too old.” Let’s clear up what’s actually true and what’s just outdated gossip.

• Knee replacement surgery isn’t automatically off the table once you hit a certain age. There’s no strict age limit, and seniors in their 80s (and even 90s) sometimes get the green light if they’re otherwise healthy.
• “You recover slow if you’re over 70”—sounds scary, right? But a 2022 review in the Journal of Arthroplasty found healthy older adults bounce back just about the same as younger folks, especially if they keep up with rehab.
• Some people believe complications skyrocket as you age. It’s true, risk does go up if you have multiple medical problems—but if you’re in decent shape, your risk jump isn’t as dramatic as people say.
• Many think doctors push everyone over 75 away from this surgery. In reality, more and more older adults are having knee replacements every year, and doctors look at your health, not just your age.

It helps to check out some real numbers so you can see past all the “my Aunt’s neighbor’s story” stuff. Here’s a look at knee replacement patients by age from a major 2023 U.S. hospital study:

More older adults are saying “yes” to new knees than ever, because people are living longer and staying active. Bottom line: most of the old warnings are way overblown.

Making the Right Decision for You

If you’re on the fence about knee replacement, it’s normal to worry about doing the right thing—especially if you’re getting older. The truth is, deciding whether or not to have surgery is very personal. Age gets talked about a lot, but doctors look at the full picture, not just your birth year. If your knee pain keeps you from getting out and enjoying life, and basic stuff like walking, sleeping, or driving hurts, that’s usually a sign it’s time to have a real talk with your doctor about your options.

Before making the call, your orthopedic team usually lines up a bunch of tests to make sure you’re good to go. They’ll look at your heart, lungs, weight, blood pressure, and any other conditions that could make healing harder. Here’s how they break it down:

• Knee replacement is done on folks as old as 90 if they’re in good shape.
• Some surgeons follow the “biological age, not chronological age” rule—meaning they care more about how you function, not how old you are.
• If your body can handle anesthesia and the recovery process, age alone rarely blocks you from surgery.

Let’s check out some real-life stats. A recent study published in 2023 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons showed this:

Surprised? Even in people over 85, almost 9 out of 10 still have solid results five years out. Do keep in mind that older patients might need a bit longer to bounce back, so having a good support system at home is key.

If you want to stack the deck, start “prehab” before the operation—things like physical therapy, getting stronger, eating better, and knocking out bad habits like smoking. The fitter you are before surgery, the easier it usually is after. And talk to both your surgeon and your regular doctor to make sure everyone is on board and you have no hidden risks.

If your main worry is “am I too old?”, you probably aren’t—unless you’ve got a list of health issues that puts you at big risk during major surgery. Otherwise, think about how much your knee is limiting your life and what you’d like the future to look like. Don’t let just the number on your age chart make this call for you.