She can't have surgery because she has pulmonary fibrosis. I don't know what to add other than we have contacted the orthopedic department at Mayo...She is going to PT twice a month....I caregive part time and an agency does the rest. She lives in her own home and uses a walker...
I feel powerless and ignorant to what other options we have. She was crying this morning...she said she can't take it anymore..and she's not a complainer....I feel helpless watching this happen. Thanks for listening
Another thing to look into is her mattress. I found my mother having a lot of shoulder pain getting up, we got a new mattress and she has no issues to speak of.
The other things she needs is to be really comfortable in bed and when she is sitting. A Craftmatic bed is ideal with a really soft mattress . Have the head elevated to what is comfortable for her. Get three really soft pillows and put two upright making an inverted V. Put the other one across the top so there is a kind of nest for her to snuggle in. Raising the foot of the bed may help to balance her. This works well with a hospital bed too with a foam mattress.
Does she have a comfortable well padded recliner preferably an electric one so it helps her get up easily and saves her arms. Again a very soft pillow or cushion for her head. If she is most comfortable in the recliner encourage her to sleep there too. Cover her with something light and warm such as a soft down comforter. It will make her feel cosseted and really comfortable which will go a long way to easing the pain. Ibuprophin is very good for the pain unless it is contra indicated along with something in the narcotic line and or a muscle relaxant. I prefer the Advil brand of ibuprofen because any generic gives me heartburn. I personally can no longer take it because I am on blood thinners.
Keep the shoulders warm again with something warm but soft and light. it may take some experimentation till you get everything right for her but I think it will help. if someone is coming in frequently have a commode by the bed or chair so she does not have to walk far
My mother has a torn rotator cuff and they don't want to do surgery because she might not make it. I have mixed feelings because she is in a lot of pain sometimes.
Any comments on that?
The other idea would be a TENS unit, where an electrical impulse is sent to an area to confuse the brain about sending pain signals. Here's what I found online about TENS for the shoulder: TENS is a type of physiotherapy where small electrical pads (electrodes) are stuck to the skin over your shoulder. The TENS machine delivers small pulses of electricity through the electrodes, which numb the nerve endings and control your pain. So definitely check those two options out. Good luck to you and your mom.
She walks with that one leg straight and drags it. That is why she fell a couple weeks ago, it caught on a small lip in the road. She has to be watched most of the time because she can easily lose her balance because she doesn't want to use that leg. She uses a walker when we go out but refuses to use a cane inside the house. Stubborn lady.
Her MD thought that PT wouldn't be helpful and I pushed for her to see an orthopedist. We will can get her in to see him in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping that he has a solution. I will be sure to ask about the synovial fluid possibility.
You did not mention in your first post that Mom has cancer in her bones. This makes it a whole different ball game and increases the reasons she can't have surgery. Does she have the cancer in her shoulders. if so they can do palliative RT to the tumors which will may ease some of the pain. and won't be too difficult for her to tolerate. Have you considered having hospice come in?
I do not agree with placing her in a nursing home. As long as you can provide 24 hour care the best place is in her home. That is unless she wants to go. Her care will be far better at home. Hospice may be able to use better medication to control her pain. Again hospice is very very good about pain management and pain clinics often abide by the "we do not want to get her addicted" My answer to that is "Why does it matter she needs whatever it takes to keep her comfortable" With cancer in her bones her life in this world is coming to an end. Has anybody considered giving her Prednisone.
Pink LA
Get thee to an orthopod ASAP.
I can not predict whether surgery would worsen your mothers dementia, that is obviously a risk to be considered but living with such pain does not improve her quality of life either. These days a knee replacement can be done in less than 1
1/2 hours. The anesthesiologist can use a spinal anesthetic and heavy sedation so she will be asleep while it is done. There is little blood loss with a knee but of course it will be painful and she will have to co-operate with the PT and probably spend a little while in rehab. If you think she can cope with all that at her current stage of dementia I would certainly ask about it. Don't be brushed off till you know the facts. Many people tolerate it just fine. Depends on any other health issues she has besides the O/A and dementia.
You are right to insist on seeing an orthopedist. once he has seen the X-rays he may be able to recommend a lesser procedure such as resurfacing which may need less PT. You don't know till you ask.
I was thinking of resurfacing for Pink's mother because of less need for PT.
I believe it is more common in Europe than here so anyone would need to find a center that had experience in the procedure but any orthopedist should know about it even if they don't do or recommend it. The key question is "How many of these have you done?" as of course with any procedure that is relatively new.
I will ask the ortho doc. Thanks