80 y/o mother needs hip replacement

[eskimoky]

hi, my mother is 80 years old and is as sharp as a whip, but unfortunately she is almost incapacitated by degenerative arthritis in her right hip, her pain is almost unbearable, she recently was seen by an orthopedic surgeon, who recommended hip replacement surgery, initially it was thought that she had a hip dislocation, but the ortho-surgeon said that it was degen- arthritis, her pain is almost unbearable and her quality of life is markedly diminished.she has had surgery in the recent past and she didn't do very well with the anesthesia, it took up to three days for her to remember my dad, her husband of almost 60 years, i know that she needs to have releif from her constant pain, will the hip replacement ease her hip pain? and are the risks worth having the surgery done? currently the constant pain is taking a toll on her health as well as her emotional and mental state.she still wants to do things, but the pain from her hip prevents even the simplest of task to be accomplished.

[cat9841]

my dad had a hip replacement at 85, he then went to a rehab hospital for awhile and did very well, she will be ok, and it will give her a few more years without pain, go ahead, do it. I've also had both knees replaced and would do it again in a second.
o yes, for the same reason, deg arthritis.
CAT

[JSGeare]

The deal here is to get a second opinion from a top notch ortho; assuming it confirms the current recommendation and that a reduction in pain is in the offing, then the replacement is the way to go. Of course, the effect of the anesthesia should be discussed in DEPTH so as to avoid as much as possible, the previous loss of memory (which evidently did return).

And let's keep our ducks in a row, here. The idea is not to make Mom ready to run the quarter-mile -the idea is to reduce pain, so thaty target goal is primary. Now go see to it.

[Heather3418]

If anesthesia is a concern for your 80 year old mother, a spinal or epidural can be given to numb her from the waist down and a dosage of "goofy medicine" in her IV to make her forget the whole procedure.  This kind of anesthesia is safer than general anesthesia of course, but if the doctor says that your mom is up to a general; than if you trust him, then I would go with it.  Otherwise a second opinion would be in order.

I have no doubt in my mind that your mother's quality of life and her good health is all that you want from all of this.  Of course your mother would probably start to thrive, when she is relieved from all the pain from this arthritic hip.  The right surgeons do this kind of surgery in the elderly all the time.  I have seen miracles occur in people, when their horrific pain is resolved.

Please accept my many prayers and well wishes for your mother and your entire family.  The best of luck to you my dear.  What a wonderful and caring person you must be for your mother.  What a lucky women she is...

Best Wishes,
Heather