Medical Advice For Elderly Mum (injury photo warning)

[ComfortablyGlum]

My mum is 83 and had a fall in the garden recently. She refused to see any medical professionals. She has form for this as a few years ago she broke her arm in 4 places and it took over a week to get to A&E).

Her leg got a nasty gash in this fall but she still insists it will ‘heal up on its own’ despite it bleeding for a few days after it happened and obviously needing a stitch. It’s a week now and to me, it looks like it needs attention.

Could anyone advise me if it looks like it’s healing and will be ok with regular cleaning or whether I need to drag her kicking and screaming to a Dr / nurse?

Although she’s 83 she isn’t frail and is very active. She lives independently and has been to the Drs about twice in the last 25 years. Im just worried this injury could turn nasty if it’s not dealt with properly.

I would show the photo to a pharmacist.

Tbh it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, if she has capacity to make her own decisions it would be unethical to coerce her.

My elderly relative did similar (caught it on the oven door). She had to have dressings with the practice nurse. Alternatively a community/district nurse could dress it if your Mum can’t get to the surgery but yes, that does need medical attention (could be dealt with by a nurse). There’s an infection risk too which they could monitor. It shouldn’t be left.

Would she be happy for you to fill out an e consult and send a photo to her GP practice?

If she won't get it checked she should at least be cleaning it with Sterile Normal saline and covering with a clean dry dressing every 2 or 3 days. If it's not healing it may need more intervention in the form of special dressings, from the district nurse.

This needs medical attention. Would the nurse call in? There are times to be firm for safety.

Is it a hard scab or feels squidgy, it's very bruised poor soul.

That looks ok to me. Seems to have scabbed over with no sign of infection. If it’s not hot, swollen or weepy I’d leave it. The bruising is nasty but doesn’t need treatment.

Is she still walking around on it?
If it's only the skin care you're worried about, it looks OK to me at this stage.

However usual disclaimer- you can't use people on an internet forum as a substitute for proper medical advice.

Agree with @FictionalCharacter
Scab looks dry. Bruise absorbing (yellow and green) no redness, swelling, or discharge.
Besides the usual shower and dry, I’d probably put some ointment on it to help it heal nicely.

A hydro colloidal plaster would work well on that. I did one for my mum with a similar injury. The marks and bruising do seem to get bad as we age.

@picklemewalnuts

A hydro colloidal plaster would work well on that. I did one for my mum with a similar injury. The marks and bruising do seem to get bad as we age.

I was going to say the same. The scab is a good sign. The bruising around it is not unusual in an older person. I am on small dose aspitrin and any knock bruise so easily even when for minor injuuries. As it is on her shin - there is very little fat to absorb the bruising so it looks worse. Agree with sending a pic to the GP or seeing the prharmacist for advice. She is 83 - she has common sense from years of living - trust she knows her body best.

To be honest it would be difficult to stitch, once you're 83 the skin is less able to take stitches and may tear. If it is open and not dry scab then you could try cleaning it and using some steri strips. If it is a dry scab then I think it probably will heal up, she needs to keep it clean and dry and try not to knock it. Hope your mum is ok :)

Since she did it in the garden, are her tetanus shots up to date?