Physiotherapy?

[horseshoes]

My mum recently dislocated her shoulder (empty shoulder), and has also fractured her hip and had "screws" put in. She has been in hospital a week and is rather concerned that she's not getting any physiotherapy.

I'll just mention at this point, that she is 82 years young and EXTREMELY active, until now!

The physiotherapist did come to see her last Saturday but hasn't been since. My Mum thinks its because she can't use her arm properly (she's still in a sling), and can't put weight down to use crutches or a walking frame.

She's worried that she's going to "seize up"! How long would a dislocated shoulder be out of action? Thank you in advance.

[Elina]

Hi horseshoes, here's a link that might help you ... http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dislocated-shoulder/Documents/100419shoulder%5B1%5D.pdf

[AlwaysConfused]

Talk to nurses about your concerns, I'm sure they will give you valuable advice.

[Sqad]

\\\\\My mum recently dislocated her shoulder (empty shoulder), and has also fractured her hip and had "screws" put in. She has been in hospital a week and is rather concerned that she's not getting any physiotherapy. \\\

I presume you mean that the "screws" were put into her hip.

\\\\She's worried that she's going to "seize up"! \\\

Your mum makes a good point.

Generally speaking, the shoulder should be immobilised in a sling for about a week and in that time active movements of the hands and fingers should be encourage. NONE for the shoulder.

If after a week, all is going well, she will need gradual physiotherapy, the content and type depending upon the department protocol.

\\\\\How long would a dislocated shoulder be out of action? \\\

By that you mean "back to normal?"..............10-12 weeks.

[horseshoes]

Thanks all! Sqad, ha ha yes sorry I DO mean screws in her hip! Oh it's going to be along haul then! She'll get through it physically, but I do worry about her mental state. She has said in the past that she DREADS the day when the garden will be too much for her and that she'll no longer be able to drive or gad about. Thats a worry!

[Sqad]

Horseshoes.......depending upon the type of dislocation, total recovery could be much longer.......6 months +.

I was being kind to mum.

[horseshoes]

Oh heck.

[campbellking]

To look at it another way, what instructions has she been given about how much weight she allowed to put through her hip? If the surgeon has said she is to be non-weight bearing or partial weight bearing, you are generally dependent on having 2 hands on a frame, and I can see why the physio isn't too involved at this stage . Now that she is a week post surgery, it is worth asking if she is allowed to use a gutter frame (takes weight through the forearms) to try mobilising, but this is again very dependent upon the wishes of the consultant, and how protective he/she is the relocation of the shoulder joint. I'm hoping she has been taught bed exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip, and I'm surprised that no-one has been around to see how she's getting on with them.

[Sqad]

Excellent post by campbellking...........I am also surprised that she is not given at least passive exercises to her leg.

[horseshoes]

She been told to do something with her feet, a sort of heel/ toe exercise.

[Sqad]

Ah! that is something I suppose.........;-)