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Ray Kemble avatar

TKR out of the question when you've got PN?

Neuropathy | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (13)

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

So sorry for the needed second TKR. I needed a new hip at age 84. I asked the doc if I was a good candidate for surgery at that age. The reply I got was that even if I were 94 and needed a new hip, I would be a candidate for surgery;. If I were 94 and needed a hip or a knee, surgery would be encouraged because it would help keep me mobile, out of a nursing home, and much more able to move than to not have the surgery.
I recovered well, it took me longer than when I was younger (I've had TKRs when I was about 65 and 70 and no problems to date w/ either).
If possible have support at home after surgery for longer than you think you'll need it. It took me about 6 weeks, my daughter left after a month and came back a few weeks later to find me almost w/o food in the refrig because I didn't have the energy or, at that point post-surgery to be sufficiently organized to make arrangements to use InstaCart or some other way to get food into the house. I was not upset about it. I managed, and loosing a few pounds didn't hurt!

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Replies to "So sorry for the needed second TKR. I needed a new hip at age 84. I..."

Hi, @joanland

When you say, "If possible have support at home after surgery for longer than you think you'll need it," I heartily agree. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone here at home to support me. When I got my first TKR, my partner, who lived two miles distant, moved in with me. And she was a huge help! Sadly, she has since died. The notion of a TKR and weeks of critical recovery but without a helper here at home weighs heavily on me, making think a second TKR is to be avoided if at all possible. In any event, I'll pow-wow with my orthopedic doc next week to hear what he has to say. I can't imagine I'm the only person who's met with him and who faces the obstacles I'm facing: 80 years old, PN-related poor balance, a bone-on-bone knee, and living alone.

My very best to you!
Ray (@ray666)