Hi all,
New to this forum, so please bear with me if this is an 'old' question. Quick background: MIL is 81, and was diagnosed with early stage dementia earlier this year (my husband and I think perhaps it's been going on for some time but hey....). She had a hip replacement 12-15 years ago. It 'went' three weeks ago and she is now in hospital. It dislocated a further two times whilst she's been there - not their fault at all, just one of those things. Long story short, they are going to replace the broken part (the 'cup' part) but there is a possibility that because of her age and general condition (and the fact that she won't listen do/can't grasp the nature of what she can/can't do after the op) that it may displace again. In this case, they will not renew it and it will be left permanently displaced.
In addition, he consultant has said that if when he 'gets in', the muscles, ligaments etc are in a very bad way (due to age or the trauma of it having dislocated and being put back in three times within a week, followed by two weeks of loss of strength), then he will abort the revision op, cut off the metal ball and leave the hip permanently displaced. We've had to argue hard to get him to do the revision in the first place (she's had a good innings, so he tells us!!!!!!!!), so it really does sound as if this is the Last Chance Saloon.
My question is, what does his actualy mean on a day to day basis? MIL has always lived at home, alone since FIL died about 18 years ago. She is (understandably) absolutely gagging to get home, but because we know that she won't follow instructions, and has thus far refused all help at home, the hip may well displace again.
We don't know whether this will leave her in pain, whether she would be wheelchair bound or what; all the consultant said was that mobility would be severely affected and she would be housebound. We live in London, her daughter lives in Cheshire and MIL is in Lincoln, so it's not ideal!
Does anyone have experience of a permanent hip displacement? Both first hand experience and any professional advice would be appreciated!
It hasn't happened yet of course (the revision op is on Sunday, MIL having been prepped yeserday and then the op cancelled - all very distressing), but I'm trying to look ahead....
Thanks in advance.
Helen
New to this forum, so please bear with me if this is an 'old' question. Quick background: MIL is 81, and was diagnosed with early stage dementia earlier this year (my husband and I think perhaps it's been going on for some time but hey....). She had a hip replacement 12-15 years ago. It 'went' three weeks ago and she is now in hospital. It dislocated a further two times whilst she's been there - not their fault at all, just one of those things. Long story short, they are going to replace the broken part (the 'cup' part) but there is a possibility that because of her age and general condition (and the fact that she won't listen do/can't grasp the nature of what she can/can't do after the op) that it may displace again. In this case, they will not renew it and it will be left permanently displaced.
In addition, he consultant has said that if when he 'gets in', the muscles, ligaments etc are in a very bad way (due to age or the trauma of it having dislocated and being put back in three times within a week, followed by two weeks of loss of strength), then he will abort the revision op, cut off the metal ball and leave the hip permanently displaced. We've had to argue hard to get him to do the revision in the first place (she's had a good innings, so he tells us!!!!!!!!), so it really does sound as if this is the Last Chance Saloon.
My question is, what does his actualy mean on a day to day basis? MIL has always lived at home, alone since FIL died about 18 years ago. She is (understandably) absolutely gagging to get home, but because we know that she won't follow instructions, and has thus far refused all help at home, the hip may well displace again.
We don't know whether this will leave her in pain, whether she would be wheelchair bound or what; all the consultant said was that mobility would be severely affected and she would be housebound. We live in London, her daughter lives in Cheshire and MIL is in Lincoln, so it's not ideal!
Does anyone have experience of a permanent hip displacement? Both first hand experience and any professional advice would be appreciated!
It hasn't happened yet of course (the revision op is on Sunday, MIL having been prepped yeserday and then the op cancelled - all very distressing), but I'm trying to look ahead....
Thanks in advance.
Helen