As the American population ages, the number of joint surgeries is rising. Some of it simply a matter of demographics - a more mature population means more age-related medical issues - but some it reflects changes in lifestyles.

One of the changes in the lifestyles that is causing joint surgeries to rise is high-impact exercises. Some people who have running, playing basketball, doing aerobics for years and years are now needing surgery. Not that running or other high impact fitness activities are bad, but everyone's body is different and some are more prone to exercise related injuries than others. We see this all the time in professional sports - some very talented players never achieve stardom because of injuries.

Fortunately, the medical community is adapting. One of these adaptations is a new operation called hip resurfacing. This surgery replaces just the damaged areas, not the entire hip. The procedure is believed to last 20 years, which is longer than a traditional hip replacement. It has a quicker recovery and gives the patient more mobility. In other words, patients have a better chance going back to being active.

Hip resurfacing is still major surgery and has a lengthy recovery process. As with any surgery, make sure to look into all options, get a second opinion (if medically possible) and understand all the risks involved.