re: 64 year old Mom with history of respiratory issues being told she needs meniscus surgery..

Know this, if she does the surgery now, she most likely won’t be able to have anyone stay with her.

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When is a meniscus procedure not elective?!?

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They really need her 100% ASAP. She's the only one in her Active Adult community who can properly defend the Houston Veer, and they're playing Glenbrook Manor in three weeks.

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The doctor says that this isn't an elective procedure and wants to bring her in this week. I am very-VERY-wary of doing this as I think she's rolling the dice with her health. Can't she just wait a month or two?

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this smells a whole lot like the doctor is hurting for money and lying about her needing surgery so he can get paid

thas doesnt even pass the smell test right now with all non life threatening surgery being indefinitely delayed until the china virus is gone

if she isnt in unbearable pain tell the doctor to frick off and find another way to pay his bills

That’s elective, he’s just not busy and being a greedy dick. Do not do it,

"Can't she just wait a month or two? "

Just be aware, the ortho has had a drastic decrease in his number of procedures ($$)
It is prob legit, but I'd ask him/her that exact question

Yep ... I waited like 20 years. Actually didn't know that was the issue for 20 years lol.

Husband had acl surgery in January and they did it when they did due to his job. Had he been older and not as active, the doc said he'd be in no hurry to do it.

I'm not a doctor and did NOT sleep at a Holiday Inn BUT I can't imagine it being a GOTTA HAVE IT NOW kind of thing.

Food for thought: Is the doctor not doing many surgeries and needs a source of income??

If it is truly just a meniscus repair or resection, it is elective.

She can absolutely wait a month or two.

The orthopedic surgeon is 100% offering to do this because his/her clinic is losing money and so is the surgery center.

All of that being said. She is significantly less likely to get covid from a surgery center or hospital OR than she is from going to work or going to get groceries, household supplies, gassing up her car, etc.

As someone who actually does orthopedic surgery, I personally would get my knee fixed now. Risk is low and for most people now is the perfect time to be hobbled (though most arthroscopic knee procedures have minimal down time). But your mother should understand that this does not need to be done any time soon. IF it’s truly just a meniscal tear, the surgeon is definitely biased and seemingly pushing this on her because of money.

I have a buddy that tore every single ligament in his knee a week before all this went down. He isn't able to have surgery because it isn't deemed an emergency.
Your mom needs a new doctor that already paid his mortgage this month.

If it is a bucket handle type tear (one that displaces into the joint) then that would be more urgent as this could cause the knee to lock into place. I know we have stopped all elective procedures and this would be the only time I would think this would be considered urgent/emergency.