I need a total knee replacement but I live alone (age 77). need help?

Your surgeon is not giving you accurate information - he shouldn't be chiming in, as this is not his area of expertise. You need to contact the social worker at the hospital where you're having the surgery done. Let them know you feel it is unsafe for you to go home (and give specific reasons - stairs, inability to safely bathe yourself, etc.). You might also see if your City or County offer senior services - these can offer you regular visits from people who can help you with everyday tasks. I hope your surgery is a success and you are soon home, feeling safe!

The more I have thought about this I wonder if you have considered getting a second opinion. Are you in Jacksonville FL? Glad to recommend my surgeon and his team.

Thank you - I decided to seek a second opinion earlier today! Unfortunately I live in Indianapolis, but thanks for offering your specialist.

I felt so sorry reading your post. I had a TKR three years ago. I am now 75. It is a very rough surgery, and my husband was here to help me, but it was not easy for him! I was in a lot of pain, had to be driven to PT and picked up, couldn’t sleep at night and became depressed. I have had several surgeries, along with two babies, and the pain from all of that was *nothing* compared to the TKR surgery. I would advise you to get a second opinion from another dr before you consent to this surgery. You need a dr who is going to listen to you and “be on your side” when it comes to going to a rehab. You are the perfect candidate for rehab because you live alone. Please try to find another dr who is more understanding and compassionate toward your situation. This all has to do with insurance, but if a dr orders rehab for a patient, it will be covered. All of my best to you.

This is the biggest and hardest surgery to recover from. Definitely need a rehabilitation center that you thoroughly evaluate first ( you can choose which you use). I’d be wary of that surgeon and would seek a second opinion.
Ask him what the follow up physical therapy plan is. Once discharged from in home care I had PT 3x/ week for months. I wasn’t allowed and couldn’t drive myself initially as I would take an Oxycodone before.
One year later I’ve finally started to forget about my new knee. It still doesn’t feel like a real knee or work like one. I still feel arthritic in it before storms. Going downstairs or downhill is still a pain. You definitely can’t kneel on it. Lots to think about.

If you are in a situation where no one can accompany you to your surgical appointment, and the surgeon says what he did, I'd try elsewhere in the office, a nurse or PA, or scheduler or contact the social work services office and ask them if they have any ideas about either 1. someone to accompany you to an appointment to present why you need to be placed in a rehab facility, or 2. why you need a volunteer to assist you at home.

I tried looking for orgs that provide patient advocacy on a volunteer basis, but had little luck. I also looked at orgs that might have volunteer check-ins for post op patients who live alone or people who would stay with you, also with little luck. But, a hospital social worker might know about such resources, and it might be part of their job to assist patients with such a quest.

Thank you for your candor! I am looking for a second opinion but I’m feeling pretty doubtful about this whole process. My primary care doctor is very emphatic about having this surgery, but I am struggling with it.

Having had joint replacements and numerous other orthopedic surgeries, I would like to weigh in on your comment "...I’m feeling pretty doubtful about this whole process..." Joint replacement surgery can be life-changing if it relieves pain and restores mobility. But it is a big commitment! The surgery (and the surgeon) are about 20% of the total - you commitment to doing prehab (getting in shape for surgery) and long-term rehab are another 60%. The rest is karma, luck of the draw, whatever you might call it.

So you need to be prepared to work hard, keep advocating for yourself, and deal with the post-surgical aches and pains. PT is 30 minutes 2-3 times a week for a few weeks. The rest of the days, you need to do it on your own - even if it is boring, even if it hurts - until you meet your goals. Then, depending on how active you are, you may need to keep doing some of the exercises 2-3 times a week for longer - maybe forever.

I'm going to recruit one of our joint replacement veterans here - @heyjoe415 - can you describe your journeys with joint replacements?