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.