Naples Orthopedic Surgeon - Dr. Robert J. Zehr » cane

Dad is in the hospital with a hip fracture. This is a first for our family. What can we do to help him maintain his independent lifestyle once he’s home?

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:15:20 +0000

Dad is in the hospital with a hip fracture. This is a first for our family. What can we do to help him maintain his independent lifestyle once he’s home?

Many older adults who survive a hip fracture are left with problems they didn’t have before the fracture. For example, they may have to use a walker or cane to get around. Walking and managing stairs can be major disabilities now. Dressing and undressing can be difficult. And some patients are unable to get back to their regular community or social activities. Recovery can take up to two years.

Most patients receive physical therapy while in the hospital. But PT after discharge isn’t always ordered or provided. Yet studies show that patients with this injury who have PT after going home are less likely to be rehospitalized. They are also less likely to die from complications of this condition.

The therapist will help the patient regain motion, balance, and strength needed to resume normal activities of daily living. These skills are also needed to get back to regular social activities. Breathing exercises and aerobic conditioning may help prevent problems such as pneumonia that can cause rehospitalization and even death.

Most states in the U.S. now have consumer access or direct access to PTs. This means you can contact the therapist directly without requiring a physician’s referral. The therapist’s evaluation will include screening for conditions that require medical attention.

After a few weeks of PT, many patients can be set up on a supervised home program they can follow on their own. The therapist will also help identify safety concerns in the home environment. Anything you can do to make sure safety feature are installed (e.g., lighting, tub bars) will go a long way to prevent future falls and subsequent fractures.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Can using a cane cause low back pain?

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:00:16 +0000

Last year I was diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis. The X-rays show it is in the early stages. Even so, I have had considerable hip pain and can’t walk without limping. I started using a cane, which seems to help with the hip pain, but now I am having low back pain. Could the cane be causing this?

Probably not. Canes and other walking aids actually dampen forces that act on the joints. It is more likely that the low back area has absorbed some of the stress normally taken by the hip.

When the hip is painful, it is not always possible to put full weight through the joint. The body compensates for this by transferring some of the normal forces generated through the hip to the pelvis (the bones between the hips). Pelvic motion is altered to help the hip. This in turn increases the load on the low back.

You should report your symptoms to your doctor. It may be that exercises prescribed by a physical therapist can help you balance out the stress on the back, pelvis, hip, and knee. Dealing with your symptoms now can help prevent other injuries.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Do I need a cane? How do I choose and use one?

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:09:22 +0000

I’ve read that people with hip and knee osteoarthritis should think about using a cane to take pressure off the leg and to help the pain go away. What should I know about purchasing and using a cane?

If your osteoarthritis is starting to cause more pain and stiffness in your hips and knees, a cane might give you some relief. A cane helps take some of the strain of walking and standing off the weight-bearing joints. Many people only need to use their canes during flare-ups.When you are looking for a cane, choose one with a handle that feels comfortable in your hand. To size a cane, hold it by the handle, keeping your hand by your upper thigh with your elbow bent slightly. The tip of the cane should touch the ground about six inches in front and to the side of your foot.When you use the cane, carry it on the opposite side of your sore joint. For example, if your right knee hurts, hold the cane in your left hand. When you take a step with your affected leg, move the cane forward. This allows you to put more weight on the cane and less on your sore knee or hip.