broken patella? no, not me

[mimitabby]

Hey guys, my mother who is really active (but in her seventies) slipped and fell on ice yesterday and broke her patella! they sent her home with a walker. She had polio in one arm (and therefore no strength in it) and they didn't bother to teach her how to use the d@## thing. When she spoke to me last night she was feeling helpless, frustrated and rather confused.

Anyone know about how bad a deal this is?
(the broken patella)

thanks

[KnottedYet]

I don't know enough about broken patellae to be any help, but I'm incensed that they sent her home with a walker she can't even use!!!

Does she have any strength in the arm? There are ways to modify a walker for someone with hand or wrist weakness.

Can she get a home visit from PT?

[Wahine]

Mimi, that's awful. They should have taught her how to use the walker and made sure that she could with her weak arm.

As for the fracture, it really depends. If it's a crack they may do nothing except having her use something to help her walk, they might put her in a brace and it get progressively more involved after that. There are instances where surgery is required to stabilize the fracture. Does she have a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon or for any kind of medical follow-up?

[mimitabby]

she has no shoulder muscles or biceps or triceps. she has a strong forearm and hand.

I just spoke to her and the patella is split in half which apparently does require surgery. She's going to try calling a visiting nurse or something to come out and teach her how to use the %#%# walker

[kelownagirl]

That's too bad Mimi. Maybe you need to intervene and make some assertive calls for her? Will she let you do that?

[rocknrollgirl]

Yikes,
I am really sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope you get her some help asap. I can't belive they sent her home like that. Visiting nurse service saved me when my Mom was sick. That sounds like a good plan.