NHS specialist rejects claims patients are too young for joint replacement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

An NHS orthopaedic surgeon has rejected the notion that patients can be too young or too old for knee or hip replacement surgery.

An NHS orthopaedic surgeon has rejected claims that patients can be too young or too old for knee or hip replacement surgery. Councillor Jackie Brocks raised the issue at Hampshire County Council's Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee on 13 October, saying she was aware of residents who believed they had been told they were too young or too old for the procedures, including one patient aged 55.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Toby Hunt said this was incorrect. He stated that joint replacement is appropriate treatment for anybody of any age who needs it, and said he had listed a 15-year-old for replacement surgery. 'If somebody's life is significantly affected by the disease in that particular joint, and we've got a solution that's going to improve their life, no matter what age you are,' Mr Hunt said.

The comments came during a review of the Hampshire Orthopaedic Centre's first year of operation at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. The specialist unit has treated 1,252 patients since opening in September 2025, including 669 knee replacements and 468 hip replacements. Typical waits are up to 16 weeks in total, comprising around two weeks for an initial appointment and two to 14 weeks before surgery, with average waits for hip and knee replacements cut by around five weeks.

How it is being reported

• NHS specialist says patients are never ‘too young’ for knee replacement surgeryClaims that patients can be too young for a knee replacement were firmly rejected by a Hampshire NHS specialist.Andover Advertiser · 19 Oct, 17:00
• NHS specialist says patients are never ‘too young’ for knee replacement surgeryClaims that patients can be 'too young' for a knee replacement were firmly rejected by a Hampshire NHS specialist.Romsey Advertiser · 19 Oct, 10:42

In this story: Toby Hunt · Jackie Brocks · Hampshire Orthopaedic Centre · Royal Hampshire County Hospital · Winchester · Hampshire County Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem