Question
My mother is a 93 year old in excellent health.  She fell and broke her hip and shoulder.  Hip has been replaced and it is fine -- the shoulder is in a sling and will heal on its own in 6-8 weeks.  The physical therapists do not want to walk her because she cannot use a walker -- they want to just move her from bed to chair until the should heals.  I am worried that at 93 she will never walk again after that long a period of time.  She can walk and walked about 4 feet the day after surgery but PT has prohibited any further walking until the shoulder has healed -- is this standard procedure for these types of injuries or should I move her to another PT facility?  She is not your average 93 year old -- very active, lived alone.

Answer
I'm certain that they are erring on the side of caution regarding your mother and walking.  Since she has already fallen while walking without a walker, their feeling is that if she cannot use the walker appropriately, they are afraid that she will fall again and do further harm to herself.  At 93 their feelings for your mother's safety are appropriate.

If you are concerned that she will not walk again, you need to express these concerns to her orthopedic surgeon and ask that he shed some light on the situation and if he feels that she can walk with the walker, have him write a prescription for that to the therapists that your mother is using.

I understand both sides, but i would also, err on the side of caution.  If she takes a fall, she may do more damage to herself than if she recovers slowly.