Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

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knee surgery with diabetes and kidney failure

carryall
carryall
My brother is a diabetic and has end stage kidney failure. He wants to have knee surgery. The doctors are not discouraging this. Has anyone had knee surgery with these conditions? I don't think his health is good enough.
smith101
smith101
Not that I am a doctor by any means, but how old is he and is he on dialysis?
carryall
carryall
He is 77 years old and on dialysis. He can hardly walk because his knee is so bad. Has hardly any energy with the dialysis so I just don't know how he would get through surgery.
deleted_user
deleted_user
To be honest, if the doctors think it is Ok and your brother is happy to go ahead, I don't think it is your place to say no really. I do understand the frustration as my mother had breast cancer and had some reconstructive surgery which I thought was a bad idea. But all you can do is tell him your opinion, respectfully, and if he disagrees and wants to go ahead anyway that is his decision which you need to support him in.

But you never know, if he has this surgery and regains some mobility his diabetes could improve as a result. You have to look at the positives.
smith101
smith101
Lizzie is right. If he can find a doctor that will do it and he wants to give it a go all we can do is be supportive and hopefully it will increase his mobility and overall health.

I do know at the Mayo Clinic if you are over 50 and on dialysis they will NOT perform a total hip replacement. The anti-inflammatory drugs used post surgery are not kidney friendly and they have also found that infection is at a very high rate in that scenario. I would imagine many of the knee surgeries to be similar.

I know. Not a lot of help. Sending prayers, well wishes, and good vibes to you and your family. Hopefully things will work out for the best no matter what is done!