Market for Joint Replacement is Booming

Hip and knee replacements are all the rage, among a certain Canadian set that is anything but jet: the middle-aged and overweight. CBSnews reports that the number of hip and knee replacement surgeries in Canada has climbed 87 percent in the past 10 years. The numbers, taken from an annual report by the Canadian Institute for Health, also show that in 2004-2005, nine out 10 patients who had knee replacements were
considered overweight or obese. Eight out of 10 hip replacement
patients also carried extra pounds. The institute also found that the largest rate of increase in the procedures was among people aged 45
to 54. Hip replacements for that age group doubled over 10 years, while
knee replacements nearly quadrupled.