Broken Hip

11 replies

Katyy · 07/06/2019 06:24

Hi my mum aged 87 fell on Sunday, had a screw in her hip Tues.The problem is she is very confused, seems to be in an ongoing nightmare, she's becoming distressed and agitated, it's very upsetting to see her life this, as she had no confusion before and was very active.Has anybody else experienced this ?

OP posts:

DianaT1969 · 07/06/2019 07:15

Is she on strong painkillers? Could it be that? Was she cathetised in hospital? She may have picked up a UTI and that can cause confusion in the elderly.

darlingtwinklebum · 07/06/2019 07:17

My Nan recently broke her hip and was like this. It was a combination of the painkillers she was on and the fact that she had a uti which made her really confused. Maybe speak to her nurse/doctor and see if they can test for one to rule it out.

PoohBearsHole · 07/06/2019 07:24

What kind f anaesthetic? Possible UTI, painkillers etc.

I was told by the consultant that this can happen on the acute ward especially geriatric orthopaedic wards. It probably doesn’t help that the ward are likely to have some patients with dementia in it. Keep calm and reassuring, check for uti and keep your chin up x. It’s stressful and upsetting but take nice snacks in and find out the next stage to see if you can get a head start with it. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks though.

MrsMozartMkII · 07/06/2019 07:32

UTI? The painkillers? Calcium levels (when it's out it can cause havoc)?

I hope they get to the bottom of it very quickly and that she heals well.

yearinyearout · 07/06/2019 07:41

Anaesthetic can cause confusion post op, my gran was the same for quite some time. She was telling us all sorts of stories when she was in hospital, I think she was having hallucinations (not sure if that was from the anaesthetic or painkillers though)

Original poster

Katyy · 07/06/2019 07:43

Thank you everyone.She had a local anaesthetic, and according to the nurses doesn't have a uti and isn't on strong medication, so I'm at a loss.It's only been 48hours so maybe it's early days, I'll be having a word with a dr today though if she's the same today .

OP posts:

Windygate · 07/06/2019 07:56

Katyy my DM was very agitated post op after having her broken hip repaired. It was a combination of a reaction to strong pain meds, UTI and effects of the anaesthetic. I had to really push for a urine test.
I find it to believe that your DM isn't on strong painkillers three days after a hip operation. I pushed for a meeting with the doctor perhaps that might help you.

Original poster

Katyy · 15/06/2019 06:43

Hi, were 10 days post op now, and no real progress, apart from she is much less confused.The physio has been getting her out of bed every day, but she still can't walk; it is too painful, also her bp drops when she stands, the nurse said their looking into her medication at the moment. I feel as if I'm losing her 😢

OP posts:

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/06/2019 09:43

Be very definite with everyone that the confusion is new (perhaps put it in writing). They're so used to dealing with the confused elderly that they don't see it as anything amiss.

But keep up your hopes. She may not get back quite to where she was before the op, but she should make a lot of improvement. You haven't lost her.

Even the change of scene can cause it. I presume she's still in hospital? They are frightening places, the feeling of having no control. At that age, every change in living circumstances may cause confusion. Once you think she can cope with it, talk to her about what's going on. My father also seems better now I've given him a plan of the nursing home where he is (being in a ward with only a hazy memory of how you go there, and no idea what's outside, even which way the hospital entrance is, is very disorientating) and an OS map so he knows where the home is compared with is house.

DianaT1969 · 15/06/2019 10:44

Don't lose hope. It's early days and it only takes one good day to turn this around. Keep asking them to monitor for UTI, as they are so common in hospitals with elderly patients and are not quickly picked up in my mum's experience.
She's unlikely to get back to her fully mobile self, as she'll have lost confidence when walking and will probably need a zimmerframe in her home afterwards for a while.
My fingers are crossed for her. But if they can get her pain management right, she will hopefully start to feel more like her old self. My fingers are crossed for her. Stay strong OP 💐

PoohBearsHole · 22/06/2019 20:55

A month plus on here with hip op and still some confusion and we were told at least 3 months before proper weight bearing. Remind me of your dm age?

Flip