Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Why a 104-Year-Old Became a Double Knee Replacement Candidate
A 104-year-old man had severe knee problems and could not walk when he arrived for treatment.
He came from Saudi Arabia and was brought in on a bed.
His sons wanted his knees to stop hurting, even if he never walked again.
A doctor examined him and was surprised that his bones were very strong.
The doctor replaced both knees on the same day.
After the operation, the man was able to walk.
He then returned to Saudi Arabia.
Another specialist said that doctors must consider more than age when deciding whether very old people should have this surgery.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sanjeev Jain recounted treating a 104-year-old man from Saudi Arabia three to four years ago.
The patient arrived on a bed, and his sons initially wanted only to relieve their father’s knee pain.
Dr Jain said the patient had unusually strong bones and underwent replacement of both knees in one day.
The man reportedly returned to Saudi Arabia walking after the procedure.
Dr Gazanfar Patel said suitability for knee replacement depends on more than a patient’s age.
- Who
- A 104-year-old Saudi man, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sanjeev Jain, and specialist Dr Gazanfar Patel.
- What
- The man underwent replacement of both knee joints in a single day and reportedly walked afterward.
- When
- The surgery took place three to four years before Dr Jain recounted the case.
- Where
- The patient came from Saudi Arabia; the articles do not specify where the surgery occurred.
- Why
- His sons wanted to relieve his knee pain, while doctors assessed whether his physical condition made surgery suitable.
- Patient age
- 104 years old
- Patient origin
- Saudi Arabia
- Procedure
- Bilateral knee replacement
- Timing
- Both knees were replaced in one day
- Preoperative condition
- The patient was brought in on a bed
- Reported outcome
- He returned to Saudi Arabia walking
- Medical consideration
- Suitability depends on more than age