I'm 77 and had a knee replacement a few months ago. I had no cognition issues due to the surgery, and no problem using the bathroom by myself afterwards. My husband did stay within earshot of me the first week, which was basically required by the surgeon. And he had to drive me to outpatient physical therapy for four weeks. After that I drove myself, but the the drive was only a few blocks down neighborhood streets. I was encouraged to use outpatient PT because they tend to have better equipment.

Anonymous wrote:My elderly father needed 24/7 care for a month after elective knee replacement surgery.

He also had hip replacement a year later. He has not really recovered from that at all. 24/7 care for the rest of his life.

I am against any sort of elective surgery for elderly people. These operations can ruin an elderly person’s cognition. Google post-op
Delirium in elderly.

How old?

No, she will need to go to impatient rehab for at least a week.

My mom had both knees done in May and August this past summer at age 74.

I was there for the first one but got sick and couldn't go for the second.

I managed her meds (lots of them!) and helped refill and track her ice water circulating machine. Dealt with meals and errands. They don't have stairs but she had removed rugs, etc. and had a raised toilet seat and a walker. I made a spreadsheet of the medications so it was pretty easy for my dad to manage after the second surgery (he had a TBI several years ago so gets overwhelmed). My uncle drove her to follow up appointments since his car was easier for her to get in and out of.

She was pretty much able to walk without the walker after a few days. Her surgeon had her use a ROM-Tech bike device at home (covered by Medicare) starting on the first day, and then 5x a day for the first few weeks before starting physical therapy.

Her surgeon uses the Jiffy Knee method for replacement which is much better for recovery.
Well worth the 5 month wait to get in with her surgeon. People travel from all over the country to see him.

My FIL had the opposite experience getting it done in his small city with BIL there who did a poor job of managing meds--FIL really should have gone to a skilled rehab type facility instead of home but both of them were stubborn and refused DH's help. He ended up in the hospital within a week.

69 isn't that old

My elderly father needed 24/7 care for a month after elective knee replacement surgery.

He also had hip replacement a year later. He has not really recovered from that at all. 24/7 care for the rest of his life.

I am against any sort of elective surgery for elderly people. These operations can ruin an elderly person’s cognition. Google post-op
Delirium in elderly.