Question
My mother who is 94 years old and suffering from memory loss and dementia, fell at her assist living home in JUNE and broke the RIGHT hip.  She had surgery (Partial replacement) and 100 days of rehab.   Not doing well due to mental situation.  Not walking on her own and on a lot of anti anxiety meds.

Last week, September 28th she fell again and broke the LEFT femoral neck.   This time,due to her age and over all physical condition recommended we do not do surgery but have her admitted to hospice for pain management.    Her internal medicine doctor agreed totally.

Question:  If she gets better can the hip be replace at a later date, let's say a month from now?  She will be transferred to nursing later this week.  She is not in a near death situation it seems.

Her doctor is having her meds withheld.  I agree with him and his initial diagnosis, but her pain is not as bad as he thought it would be and she is only given medication at hospice on a PRN basis....when they have to move her etc.

I am second guessing myself.   I know both doctors personally and trust their recommendation.  What are the possible complications that can come in the future with the hip not being replaced by surgery??   OR...is there any point in having the hip replaced?     What can we expect?

I know this is not  your field but I assume you have some experience in this area.

She is in chronic afib and has been for over 50 years. She has a good bit of swelling in both legs and ankles.  She is often short of breath.  At the hospital her Oxygen level was 78 when they admitted her to the ER and dropped to 65 without any additional oxygen being given. I think all of these things had an inpact on both the surgeon and her internal medicine doctor who has been seeing her for years.

Thank you

Answer
Dear Jerry,
For your Mom's hip problems. I would concentrate on keeping her comfortable. The surgery has inherent risks & the point of elective surgery is to improve quality of life-which by your own admission is questionable. If she has issues with one surgerized hip, then chances are that these issues will increase with two surgeries. If there is a big improvement with the right hip, and the left hip is keeping her from walking, and you know she will be active -then you can make the decision for the left hip at that point in time.
Actually I have experience in these issues-since I deal with the geriatric population and have been the Chief of Podiatric Surgery for many years.
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle orthopedics & injuries.


Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.