Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

"Life is getting back to normal."    I'm driving again and all new joints are operating as expected for this stage of recovery.   My most recent joint replacement still requires a lot of attention but experience has taught me that time will quiet the remaining pain.  I joked with my surgeon that another joint replacement would take my mind off my most recent surgery and he responded by saying the next will be a hip!  There are no plans for another surgery but, unlike me, I don't think he was joking!  I certainly wouldn't refuse further replacement  if required but hope to spend time out of the "post-op"  period.  I can't stress enough that if you have been recommended for total hip, knee or shoulder replacement that you welcome the offer.  Post-op "recovery" may sound daunting and painful, however, this is far better than the insidious erosion of mobility you are currently experiencing.  Imagine what it would feel like to wake up most mornings feeling better and more mobile than you did the previous day!  Prior to my first surgery in June 2025, even getting out of bed was becoming a formidable task.  Since the day after my first surgery, I get out of bed everyday easily and unassisted.  Making the switch to feeling a little better each day rather than a little worse, is hugely motivating!

[diyer2]

I'm looking at carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and lumbar fusion. 

[Donstar]

3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I'm looking at carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and lumbar fusion. 

Sorry that you need these surgeries but glad they will improve your current quality of life. Do you have dates for these operations?

[diyer2]

No dates. 

[Donstar]

One of our children turns 50 tomorrow.  When the celebrant reaching such a milestone is one of your own, any teasing of the high number will surely backfire!   

[Grumpy Bear]

True Dat! 

[StingerZ16]

Remember when you were 50 and they called you Old Man?

[garagerog]

52 minutes ago, StingerZ16 said:

Remember when you were 50 and they called you Old Man?

First time it really happened to me was when I was 69 yrs old and I was called "Old Timer" by a complete stranger. Then in rapid succession came the aforementioned "Old Man" and my favorite of all "Pops".

[garagerog]

This is for those over 70 years of age contemplating joint replacement surgery involving general anesthesia. Even some 55 yrs. ago when I took my pharmacology class the dangers of developing dementia in the elderly that had general anesthesia were beginning to be recognized. Over the years there has been some refinement in the cautionary warnings, avoid general anesthesia if possible if you've had close to 10 priors, especially over the age of 70 and/or a family history of dementia. I'm not including the twilight anesthesia induced by propofol often used in cytoscopies or colonscopies. Seriously think about seeing a neurologist and undergo cognitive testing before proceeding if any of those criteria apply to you. Spinal anesthesia may be an option in some cases. I'm in the above camp and although I could use a new right knee, I get fidgety according to a prior orthopedic surgeon when the bone saw spools up or maybe it was the smell of saw blade meeting bone, anyhow I may have one general anesthesia left in me which I will pocket for now and I'm choosing mind over mobility, anyway where did I leave my damn cane!

[Donstar]

10 minutes ago, garagerog said:

This is for those over 70 years of age contemplating joint replacement surgery involving general anesthesia. Even some 55 yrs. ago when I took my pharmacology class the dangers of developing dementia in the elderly that had general anesthesia were beginning to be recognized. Over the years there has been some refinement in the cautionary warnings, avoid general anesthesia if possible if you've had close to 10 priors, especially over the age of 70 and/or a family history of dementia. I'm not including the twilight anesthesia induced by propofol often used in cytoscopies or colonscopies. Seriously think about seeing a neurologist and undergo cognitive testing before proceeding if any of those criteria apply to you. Spinal anesthesia may be an option in some cases. I'm in the above camp and although I could use a new right knee, I get fidgety according to a prior orthopedic surgeon when the bone saw spools up or maybe it was the smell of saw blade meeting bone, anyhow I may have one general anesthesia left in me which I will pocket for now and I'm choosing mind over mobility, anyway where did I leave my damn cane!

Good information!  I didn't know about the dementia aspect and asked for a general for my second knee. I'd heard that recovery room time is usually shorter with a general.   The anesthesiologist talked me out of it and I had the spinal.  Inconvenience and/or discomfort is a small price to pay for reduced risk!