She is 83 years old and diabetic so she is not a candidate for knee replacement. She is on oxy cotton and another pain medicine but today she was in so much pain she was crying. We've been to the ER and back and forth to the doctor over the last 30 days and it's hard to see her in so much pain. Not quite sure how to proceed since the doctor just has an attitude of this is how it's going to be.
Even if they answer is "no" the injections that people are talking about are noting short of amazing! My friend in her 70's staved off knee replacements for years by having Synvesc (sp) injected into her knees once or twice a year.
Being diabetic doesn't make you unable to have surgery. It complicates things a little, sure, but it wouldn't be the one thing that makes her not a candidate. (Obesity, yes, since very heavy people struggle more with rehab, but if he weight is relatively OK for her height, that shouldn't be a problem.)
BTW, the ER will only address the immediate problem (pain) and the dr is asleep at the wheel if he/she isn't referring your mother out to an ortho doc!!
The key here is in that is your mother cable of rehabbing the knee if the surgery can be done. If she is grossly overweight, uncooperative or pain lazy she is not going to have a very good result. It does take a lot of hard work to get results from the PT which can be done in a rehab center or as an outpatient. It is often done under spinal anesthesia with heavy sedation so the danger of general anesthesia is removed. Once she has recovered say in 3 -6 months she will be able to do far more than she did before and walk without a cane if she is safe. She should leave a minimum of 6 months between surgerys if both knees are done. Climbing stairs or at least a few steps is also very possible. All depends on her attitude and general health. Diabetes in itself is not a reason not to do it but if her circulation is impaired then she won't heal. granted i was only 68 when i had a knee and hip done but after five days in the hospital i was able to climb a couple of steps into the house and get around unaided to the bathroom etc using a walker. the patient certainly needs a lot of help with meals, bathing eat and of course won't be driving for several weeks.
In this case I would try whatever injections are available before embarking on the surgery at 82. After all people of that age and older have successful surgery for broken hips in an emergency.
Dad says he is pain free!!
This is basically the same stuff that is a lub in the knee naturally. I have been getting these injections about every 12 months for this same issue.
I first learned about it from thoroughbred trainers at the race track. Horses that are nearly lame can be brought back to run pain free with these injections. I do not plan to run 5/8 of a mile...so the effectiveness lasts longer for me!
I would definitely get a second opinion. Does your mother have other issues? Does she have a type of dementia? On blood thinners or other meds? Is her diabetes not controlled and it has caused circulation issues in her legs? There has to be some other reason why they won't do the surgery.
My friends mom just had a knee replacement last week, she is 82. She also has cancer. Only one week after surgery she is saying that she wished she had the surgery sooner because her knee pain is completely gone. It is a life changing surgery.
Angel
Also, I'd get a second opinion. Her condition has to be addressed in some way. I'd try to find a doctor who is able to empathize with the pain and provide her some options. You can research them online. I'd heard about COLD treatment and also some kind of substance that is injected into the joint. I have no details, but, it's worth exploring to see if anything can help her pain.
Pain is terrible. I went through terrible pain with two different conditions and I thought I was going to lose it. Please stay her advocate to help with the pain.