Although we often view knee replacement surgery as something that follows a lifetime of vigorous athletic activity for men, women are more likely to undergo the procedure. Women have a higher incidence of arthritis than men, and since arthritis is the leading cause of joint replacements, around 60 percent of all joint replacements are performed on women. Between 2013 and 2015, about 26 percent of women reported being diagnosed with arthritis, compared to 19.1 percent of men.

Knee replacement surgery is also becoming more and more common. The Centers for Disease Control reports that between 2000 and 2010, knee replacement rates nearly doubled in the U.S. In 2010 alone, doctors performed an estimated 693,000 total knee replacements in adults aged 45 years and older. In fact, total knee replacements are among the most frequently performed inpatient procedure for this age group.

The average age for these replacements is dropping, as well. The CDC reports that the average age for women receiving a knee replacement dropped by nearly 4 percent from 68.9 years to 66.2 years. The stats also indicate that more women had to spend time in a long-term care facility than men did, post-op.

If you would like to try your best to avoid having your knee replaced, consider the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Losing merely five pounds can make a difference on your knee joints.
• Build muscle. Women often have weak thighs which, according to a recent study, increases their risk of knee osteoarthritis. Classic exercises to increase thigh muscle strength include squats and lunges, seated leg presses, leg extensions and curls with ankle weights, and straight-leg raises.
• Take it easy on your joints. If you are a runner, consider making running exclusively on soft, flat surfaces and make sure you have well-cushioned shoes.
• Keep your feet aligned. If they are misaligned somehow, that misalignment will travel up to your knee joints and cause damage. See your podiatrist to be sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your body in alignment and the pressure off your knees.
• Stretch the muscles in your legs. Stretches that focus on the hamstrings, quads, and calves are best. Yoga is another way to maintain flexibility in these muscle.
• Get sufficient vitamin D. Vitamin D is key to preventing arthritis, but studies show that women aren’t getting enough. Get outside for at least 10 minutes of sun exposure on most days, or consider a supplement.

Drink water. Joints are largely made up of water, which is what tends to make them “cushiony.” When you become even slightly dehydrated, your body can leech the water it needs from your joints.