Meniscus tear surgery and diabetes...

[LPNGirl07]

Hi, I had a question about my mother. She is 58 years old and is a type 2 diabetic. She has had diabetes approximately 12 years. She started having pain in her left knee a few months ago and seen a local orthopedic surgeon recently. He told her that she had a torn meniscus in her knee & arthritis. He wanted her to get some blood work before having surgery, so she went to her family doctor. Her A1C came back at an 8. Her family doctor told her not to do the surgery and wait until her A1C went down. She had lab work repeated around 3 weeks ago and her A1C was at a 7.4. The orthopedic surgeon said that he was willing to do the surgery at a 7.4 if my mom promised to eat well and really watch her diabetes. However, her glucose levels kind of go up and down, as she likes to snack on things sometimes that she shouldn't (such as having a soda or cookies every now and then). I have talked to her over and over about maintaining a strict diabetic diet, especially before surgery... However, she lives by herself & doesn't really listen to me. She is in a lot of pain with her knee though, and needs to have something done. I'm just worried that having surgery on her knee with an A1C of 7.4 could be risky. Anyone else here have knee surgery with an A1C that high?? Should we get a 2nd opinion where doctor was willing to operate on her knee with an A1C of 7.4?? Thanks, and information is appreciated!

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

the a1c of 7.4 means here average blood sugar is about 180, which is about double normal levels.  The trouble with high blood sugars is that it can make healing difficult and much slower.  Complications like infection are more likely.

Has your mother tried eating lower carb (some people even follow keto diet) to help reduce her blood sugars.

The surgeon will be the one to decide  if he is comfortable with her a1c level.  However, she should do her part to improve control so that she can get the best possible outcome from the surgery.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  Very sorry your mom is in this predicament.  Working with her doctors is her best course of action.  Since she doesn't manage her levels very well, does she take medication for it?  Some people can lower their A1c through diet and exercise but others need medication to fully do so.  So, some more information would be helpful to know if your mother has considered that additional help.  I understand the vicious circle of being in pain and that leading to not making as good of choices as one should, however, the A1c and diabetes should likely be brought under control before the surgery.