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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Ross A. Hauser, MDI am an active 80-year-old who does not want a knee replacement.This is a more typical email than you think. “I am (80) years old, I am still playing tennis and running but I have a lot of pain. The Medicare doctor says I have advanced arthritis, and I will need a knee replacement. My doctor told me there was nothing else to offer me except pain medications and pain management until I can no longer tolerate the pain or I become a fall risk. I can also wear a knee brace to help keep me stable. I do not know if there are alternatives for me, can you help?” Why would the doctor say there was nothing else but knee replacement? Because according to that particular doctor, there is nothing else.Treatments that are useless for the elderly patient with degenerative knee disease.We know, many 80-year-olds do not like to be spoken of as elderly, in the medical literature they are. Now, why would the doctor say there were no alternatives to our tennis player above? Because for those who resist the knee replacement option, the only other treatment suggestions are to therapies that are noted for their ability to ONLY prolong or delay the need to have a knee replacement. Not help avoid it.These treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, Hyaluronic Acid Injections. Here is the big statement: These treatments are useless for the elderly patient. This is not just our opinion, it is the opinion of a team of researchers publishing in the medical journal American Health and Drug Benefits. (1)These researchers insist:That there is only one realistic option for elderly or older patients with knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement.Delaying or prolonging the inevitable knee replacement is a waste of time, a waste of money, and a waste of health industry resources.The only people who should not get knee replacement are those with other health issues.The need for blood thinners to prevent blood clotting and possible prolonged recovery stay in a nursing home. Should be considered.The very active elderly patient in the nursing homeThere are likely not many active 70 and 80-year-olds who are ready for a nursing home, but why would an active 70 or 80-year-old need to be in a nursing home after knee replacement? The causes are many.June 2016, published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia: “Elderly patients are at risk
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