From the Guidelines
A prosthesis can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years or more, depending on the type of prosthesis and individual patient factors, with bioprosthetic valves having a higher risk of structural deterioration, especially in younger patients 1. The lifespan of a prosthesis is influenced by several factors, including the type of prosthesis, patient age, and comorbidities.
- Bioprosthetic valves, for example, have a higher risk of structural deterioration, with a predicted 15-year risk of needing reoperation due to structural deterioration of 22% for patients 50 years of age, 30% for patients 40 years of age, and 50% for patients 20 years of age 1.
- Mechanical valves, on the other hand, have a lower risk of structural deterioration but require lifelong anticoagulation therapy, which can increase the risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events 1.
- The choice of prosthesis type should be individualized based on patient factors and preferences, taking into account the trade-offs between durability, bleeding, and thromboembolism 1.
- Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers are essential to monitor the prosthesis's condition and make necessary adjustments before major problems develop.
- Proper maintenance, including regular monitoring of International Normalized Ratio (INR) levels for patients with mechanical valves, can significantly extend the lifespan of the prosthesis 1.
From the Research
Prosthesis Longevity
The longevity of a prosthesis can vary depending on several factors, including the type of prosthesis, the material used, and the patient's overall health.
- Some studies suggest that the functional prognosis of a total joint arthroplasty of the knee or hip is excellent, provided that there are no post-surgical complications and that the patient benefits from adequate rehabilitation therapy 2.
- A survey on the quality of life of patients treated with facial prostheses found that implant-retained facial prostheses have advantages over adhesive-retained prostheses in terms of ease of handling, but improvements in prosthetic material properties are needed to increase the longevity of facial prostheses 3.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the prosthetic material selection has no influence on mid- and long-term survival of implants restored with single crowns and fixed partial dentures 4.
Factors Affecting Prosthesis Longevity
Several factors can affect the longevity of a prosthesis, including:
- The type of prosthesis and the material used 3, 4
- The patient's overall health and compliance with rehabilitation therapy 2, 5
- The presence of post-surgical complications 2
- The quality of the prosthetic material and the technique used to implant it 3, 4
Rehabilitation and Prosthesis Longevity
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the longevity of a prosthesis.
- A study found that preoperative exercise and education can improve postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty 5.
- Another study found that a home-based rehabilitation program supervised by a physiotherapist can be beneficial for patients after total hip and knee arthroplasty, provided that there are no preoperative reasons for prolonging the hospital stay and if the surgery took place without complications 2.