recurring hip dislocations elderly

[aliciamq]

My father is trying to recover after a partial hip replacement. Problem is, he keeps dislocating the darn hip. If you know of a discussion about this topic, please inform me or maybe you have some wisdom to share. The journey has been fretful to say the least. We are sure the hip is out again and can't even make the call to take him back to Emergency. There must be something we can do.

[hawker955]

It sounds to me like hip strengthening exercises are required to support the joint. That means getting advice from a physiotherapist. Was physiotherapy involved after the surgery? But the hip's muscles should be very strong and are tightly around the joint, holding everything in place. Ask the surgeon/consultant if you haven't done so already and definitely chase up physiotherapy. cycling is good for building up the hip muscles and I have a friend with two new hips who is still a very active cyclist post-operatively.

[aliciamq in reply to hawker955]

Thank You so much. My father is 93 and has some cognitive issues that are compounding the problem. He is not dying. We are wondering if we should just let the hip stay out of place and work on him regaining his health and lowering our recovery goals to perhaps a life in bed or wheelchair. He has therapists on standby. I'm at a loss as to why Dr.s attempts to fix aren't working. Family is at wits end. He took all of his bracing off during the night and tried to get out of bed causing yet another dislocation. I just need to vent and I know Health Unlocked is a good place for it - but - sure would like to know if anyone else has dealt with something as crazy. Thx

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to aliciamq]

Your poor father, it must be very painful. Once you get this obstacle sorted out have a look on this website, we found it very helpful when my husband had his hip replacement last year.

bonesmart.org/hip-replaceme...

[aliciamq in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

He does not seem uncomfortabe - I think all the surrouning tissues etc.. are mush by now. Thank you for responding , I will check out your link!

[hawker955 in reply to aliciamq]

Hello agan Alicia. I would expect the physiotherapist and the consultant to both know to whom to send your father if he has cognitive issues as well. It requires a double-barrelled approach by his medial team to cope with both. I'm sure there must be a number of elderly patients with mental issues due to age at the time they fall and break or dislocate something. Both are vastly more common in the elderly. Personally I would not like a hip to be left dislocated. It will cause a lot of discomfort and disability whilst the tissues adapt in the hip region. More surgery might not be very appealing but far better than permanent pain from a hip that will not work I think.

[aliciamq in reply to hawker955]

We are not going to leave it out - we need a little a little bit of luck to get him stable even if he may be bedridden or wheelchair bound. Thank You.

[AgedCrone in reply to aliciamq]

You need advice from the professionals ...maybe your father can be given something to calm him whilst physio examines him & works on his hip stability. Hip joints should be firmly in place or nerve damage can occur.

This happened to a friend & it turned out that all he needed was a built up shoe.

[aliciamq in reply to AgedCrone]

The professionals seem to be at their wits end, too. Every time we turn around for two months now even with a second surgery, that darm leg won't stay put.

[AgedCrone in reply to aliciamq]

Oh dear you must be at yout wit's end...I would imagine your father's age & state of mind must be playing a part.

Let's hope somebody eventually comes up with a suitable solution.

[ruth_p]

You need to take him back to the hospital, if the hip is dislocating following surgery that is not good! It shouldn’t be doing it. The surgeon needs to be informed. I understand your father has cognitive issues but as someone who has experienced their hip partially dislocating I can tell you it is very painful. Please please please take him to A&E or phone for an ambulance.

[aliciamq in reply to ruth_p]

He is going back to hospital - thank you👍🏼