TKR at 81, living alone, and with balance difficulty: a good idea?

Hoping you get some good input Ray @ray666. Not sure what I would do. I'm 82 and my TKR is less than 10 years old but I definitely have the balance and arthritis issues and am doing my best to strengthen my legs. If you do go ahead with the surgery, if it were me I would focus on pre-surgery exercises and do them faithfully every day for 6 to 8 weeks prior to the TKR and keep up with them after the TKR to help with the recovery.

The other night as I was getting ready for bed, I sat on what I thought was my side of the bed but I was too close to the corner and much to my surprise ended up on the floor. Fortunately it wasn't a hard crash but I couldn't get up and my wife was frantically trying to help. My problem was hardwood floor, socks slipping on the floor, unable to place my hammertoes in a position that didn't cause pain when trying to get up off of the floor and nothing to grab onto and push myself up. My wife ended up getting my socks off and then I toughed it out with the toe pain and was able to push off of some furniture to get myself upright. Since that happened I've added another thing not to do on my list - stay away from the corner of the bed. 🙂

Have you thought about one of those medical alert bracelets to have during your recovery time? Do you have any friends or neighbors close by?

Hi Ray...
I'm going to be brutally honest with you as my mom of 85 just had a TNR and myself and 2 sisters took care of her. She had her left knee done and fortunately her right knee is in pretty good shape for her age and the recovery process was very hard for her. She's usually a very strong person who just sails through aches and pains, so we were shocked at how much pain she was in and what difficulty she had walking and recovering. I don't see how you can do it if your other leg isn't strong. Especially if you're alone. In the beginning they require that someone be with you for 48 hours. After that, you will need someone to be with you to help you, especially at your age, Ray. I worry just thinking about you considering this while being alone and I don't even know you...I hope things work out for you, whatever you decide...Pam

@pammie1 Replying to myself...should have typed TKR, not TNR.

@pammie1

I agree 100% with you ref Ray. No way should he do this as his current situation.

I'm sorry to hear about your fall, John (@johnbishop). Here, too: hardwood floors throughout. I rely on non-slip socks, except for bedtime. I prefer sleeping barefoot. As for pre- and post-op PT, I had that super-covered when I had my right knee TKR; I was enrolled in a Federal study to see how the quads deal wiith a TKR. For weeks before and weeks after my TKR, I was a=peddling and a-pounding and a-weight lifting, all to measure the TKR's impact on my right leg quad. I credit all that exercise with how little the surgery impacted me and how rapidly I was back to full flex and full recovery, So I'm pre-sold on leg exercise. 🙂 Don't forget, John, to hang an orange caution cone on that bed corner! ––Ray (@ray666) P.S. I do wear a med-alert wristwatch.

Hi, Pam (@pammie1) Thank you for your thoughts! They are much, much appreciated. What I can't gauge is just how weak my legs are. To me, they aren't what I'd like them to be. My PT, however, while recignizing that I want my legs to be even stronger, tells me that I've still reasonable strength in my legs. He credits my leg strength to my not having a history of falling. Had I such a history, the decision would be made for me: No surgery! As it is, however, my orthopedic doc (whom I've know for years) is of the opinion "We can do this––IF … " The IF is my decision: Do it, or don't do it. In my head, I've arguments going both ways. (My right knee TKR was almost a non-event, I had such an easy time of it. The only pain I suffered was having to give up long-distance running. 🙂 ) Again, Pam, thank you! –Ray (@ray666)

I thougt maybe you were referring to a total nose replacement It's a thought … 🙂

@ray666 Ray two of my friends took different approaches to this situation. One decided on 2 weeks in a rehab facility - chose one of several she visited. In the end it stretched to 3 weeks as she regained strength.
The second interviewed several nursing an PT students and hired one to stay in her home for 2 weeks to assist.
Both were satisfied with their arrangements.

Hi Ray, I had TKR at 80 and living alone last year. I had a friend stay with me for a week. She and the walker were my help - moving around, getting in and out of the tub, helping with food, etc.
I had the surgery on Tuesday and on Friday I began my 18 sessions of PT. A friend organized transportation for the PT through other friends.

Overall the walker really helped with my security and diminished my fear of falling.

Another option is going to a rehabilitation center as in patient until you're strong enough to be on your own. A friend of mine did this and was glad she did.
Best to you as you make your decision and follow the path you choose.

Ray, you can't do TKR alone. It just isn't possible. If you can get confirmation for a stay in a rehab hospital then you can do it. I tried to arrange for that kind of care and the hospital agreed to transport me there. Then my surgeon went behind my back and refused to approve it. Get it in writing before you roll through those operating room doors! Best of luck to you.