[300winmag]

I wondered about that... my mom probably needs a new knee, but she won't even consider it, just limps around on the old one. Stubborn woman.

My mother was a lot like that, until the arthritis got REALLY bad this year. She was in a lot of pain, and the doctors did every non-surgical thing to help. Pain pills and arthritis meds lessened the pain, but she was ready to go with the surgery when she realized they had done all they could do.

One benefit is that the doctors said her left knee was the only significant area of arthritis in her. They made the case that she would enjoy significantly less pain, along with significantly more mobility, with the surgery, and she was ready to go. It would have been done in March, if she hadn't slipped and broke her back. Once she was healed up, she was ready to roll.

Older folks have to learn that putting up with constant pain is a source of depression. I rate depression as a major health problem with older people. So it's not just the pain that they're "putting up with", there is also a possible source of depression that they're fighting, without realizing it.

[Wneighbor]

My Grama waited until she could not even get off her bed before she consented to knee replacement. But, once she decided to go for it she told 'em she wanted both of 'em done at once. (She had to have 2.) But, she didn't want to do it halfway... just do it all, get it over with and let her get to where she could go again!

Much as she put it off, after she had it done she never regretted it. (and there were alot of complications) But, she was finally to the point that a doctor told her last year she had worn out the artificial knees and if she ever regained her health enough for the surgery she needed the replacements replaced. She didn't get to that point but I have no doubt she'd have done it if she could have.