From my experience, it’s not ageism by the medical community per se. When I received my right TKR in 2015, I was 55, and only because my natural knee joint was experiencing RA erosion. I had my left TKR scheduled for late March 2020, then the COVID lockdowns hit, and I have now chosen to forego my left TKR as long as possible. I have 2 autoimmune diseases and take medications that also suppress my immune system, so my surgeon says to take antibiotics for life. I mountain bike on advanced, single track trails. I can’t imagine playing racquet sports ever again, but then my RA affects my knees, hands, arms, shoulders, spine.

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