The New Age Of Joint Replacement: Younger Patients Are Choosing Surgery
8/17/2026
Ugonna Ezeh, D.O., FAAOS
MountainView Medical Group
If 60 is the new 40, what’s the optimal age for joint replacement? With advances in minimally invasive techniques and faster recovery time, more and more younger people are undergoing hip and knee replacements.
Once considered a last resort and only for seniors, joint replacement is now thought of as a viable option for younger generations who want to overcome joint pain to live an active lifestyle – and remain active for decades to come.
Joint pain affects each individual differently. Some people feel joint pain all of the time, or mostly when they’re moving. For others, it comes and goes, or radiates to other parts of the body.
Non-surgical treatments like medications, joint injections and physical therapy typically are considered before surgical intervention. When joint replacement is needed, it commonly improves mobility and quality of life. But younger people can take steps now to reduce the potential need for a joint replacement in the future:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your joints.
- If you use tobacco products, consider quitting due to its deleterious harmful effects to your overall health.
- Exercise regularly, but consider embracing some lower impact activities such as swimming, cycling or brisk walking.
For those seeking relief and weighing their options, here’s what to expect from an orthopedic evaluation:
- Medical history: Your family medical history, any other diagnoses—such as arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, diabetes, obesity and hypertension, and an evaluation of your overall pain.
- Physical examination: The doctor will assess swelling, reflexes, and range of motion, including your ability to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs.
- Diagnostic tests: Anticipate blood work and imaging (such as an X-ray or MRI) to look for deterioration, cysts, deformity, or incorrect alignment.
To help determine whether to schedule an appointment, take MountainView Regional Medical Center’s joint pain assessment at https://www.mountainviewregional.com/orthopedic-services.
Ugonna Ezeh, D.O., FAAOS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at MountainView Medical Group specializing in hip and knee replacement surgery. To schedule an appointment, call (575) 532-9755. Dr. Ezeh is employed by Las Cruces Physician Services, LLC, d/b/a MountainView Medical Group.
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