Any experiences - good or bad - of knee replacement in an 80 odd year old?

[alicetrefusis]

Just that really. Mum is 83 next year.

Mum's GP is keen she goes ahead. So Mum wants to do what the GP wants her to do, and is shutting off her mind to the possible negative consequences, and has refused to read the NHS pros and cons information I have printed off from the internet, and was angry and hostile when I visited today.

She's had a recent arthritic flare-up but that has been brought under control with steroid injections and increased pain relief.

Last time we saw the consultant we agreed 'watch and wait' but sooner or later there will be a time when she won't be able to have the op anyway, through increased age and further deterioration, so a decision is looming.

I have a bad feeling about it and think the risks far outweigh the benefits. Not just the obvious ones around the op and recovery, but also issues around her mental health - upset to routine, effects of anasthesia, accepting more intrusive help in the home etc. As I've said before, I do wonder whether she is in early stage dementia and this might precipitate a further decline.

But it's her pain and her decision whern it comes down to it.

Anyone had experience of this at all?

Not the same case, but wanted to reply. My mum had a hip replacement in August. She is 78 though. She was terrified and had put it off for years, but her mobility was so poor and the pain she was in was so bad that she finally agreed to it after chatting to her GP several times. She didn't want a general anaesthetic and they did her hip op with some kind of spinal block. The aftercare is not great. In our area they have cut back with post-op physio. Some of her friends had it done a couple of years ago and they had home visits from physios for a few days/weeks to make sure they were ok/ doing all the exercises. She had a leaflet. Luckily my dad is still around and I live very close so we could support her fully. In the end, it will be your mum's decision but ask about the need for a general anaesthetic if that is a worry. Its now 2 months down the line, she is walking so well with one crutch and the pain is reduced massively but she still needs help getting dressed as she still can't bend over yet but she almost can. Good luck whatever the decision.

83 is not that old for a knee replacement.
Freedom from pain can be very liberating, it's amazing when you meet an older patient who, one day post-Op, tells you they're not in pain anymore.
Only your DM knows how much pain she's in.

I appreciate it is scary, it was when my DF had his, but the recovery time is much quicker these days,

Hi

My response just disappeared!

Anyhow thanks both. Am heartened that 83 isn't 'that' old.

SB - surely one day post-op patient will be on massive , probably opioid-based pain relief from the op so likely to be comfortable anyway? Or am I missing/misunderstanding something?

My mum had both her knees done, one at 81 and the other at 83. After the first she was fine but after the second it was noted she was very confused post-op. Physically she healed very well and was able to walk without pain for the first time in years - but mentally she declined quite rapidly. Not suggesting the ops/anaesthetic caused it, but they did seem to accelerate it. The consultant at the memory clinic told us there was some thought that GA, particularly for orthpaedic surgery, might sometimes cause this so if a spinal could be an option it might be worth discussing with her consultant.

If we had to make the same decision again, would we? I honestly don't know, it's a hard call to make and her knees were her causing severe pain. She may have mentally declined just the same if she hadn't had the ops, but we'll never know.

My mom had a full knee done at 81. Everything went well with the surgery tho she developed a vomiting bug soon after (I suspect an aunt who visited had it) so that delayed her recovery initially.

When we got her home she did need support in the form of stools, loo seat and bathing aids. She complained of really quite bad pain for a number of weeks and got a little depressed as a result. But after about 6-8 weeks she really was vastly better. She made herself go out and walk a little bit each day which I think is key as the new joint needs worked in. She did develop some cellulitis so that's something to look out for and get treated quickly.

Her knee is far from perfect but it's vastly better than it was before surgery.

May I ask where your mum would be having the surgery?

North West. I've identified a very good place if she does go ahead.

I meant that despite being in pain from the surgery, people often can feel a break from their arthritic pain very quickly.
Are you able to go to the consultation with your DM, is she local to you?
You would be able to quiz the consultant then.

Mum had both hers done when she was over 80. They gave her an epidural because of her age and she has some memories of banging and cutting sounds!

She is so much better, very nimble around marks and Spencer's! She can't kneel, and it isn't perfect but she's fine. Still driving a car with manual gears.

Mum had hers done in Newcastle if that helps - north west too. Mum is I mean, not Newcastle which obviously is in the north east but that's where she went