Star Tribune
by Mary Lynn Smith

“Baby boomers and people who’ve grown up in the era of joint replacement are less willing to put up with a level of disability that might have been an expectation two generations ago,” said Dr. Daniel Berry, orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic. Over the past decade, the materials used for knee and hip replacements have improved, making them more durable, while better sizing for knee implants mean they fit better. But the implants are mechanical, with plastic and metal rubbing against one another, explained Mark Pagnano, orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic. Abusing the implant could mean that it will loosen, wear out or break quicker than it should, requiring a revision. “It’s a bigger operation, longer recovery, more likely to result in some kind of complication and is less likely to result in excellent pain relief,” Pagnano said.

Reach: The Star Tribune Sunday circulation is 518,745 copies and weekday circulation is 300,277. The Star Tribune is the state’s largest newspaper and ranks 16th nationally in circulation.

Context: Daniel Berry, M.D. and Mark Pagnano, M.D. are Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeons. Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeons are recognized nationally and internationally for their surgical technical excellence and innovative abilities to solve both simple and difficult orthopedic problems. By collaborating with scientists in Mayo Clinic research facilities for biomechanics and regenerative medicine, our surgeons develop new solutions for patients that improve healing, speed rehabilitation and improve outcomes.

Contact:  Rhoda Fukushima Madson

Tags: Dr. Daniel Berry, Dr. Mark Pagnano, hip replacement, joint replacement, knee replacement, Star Tribune, Uncategorized