Broken Bones: What Do I Need To Know?

[JoeGKushner]

So my mother broke her arm.

Well, broke and dislocated it. The doctor managed to 'pop' it back into place.

We have to wait until Thursday to see if it's 'set' in place now. If not, she gets the pins and screws into the arm.

Anyone have any idea how long broken bones take to heal? She's 62 with arthritis and diabetes so I don't anticipate this being an easy time for her. I've got the duties of cooking, cleaning, etc... so any advice on that area (meal planning, etc...), would also be appreciated.

 

[mythusmage]

Generally the older a person is the longer it takes for an injury to heal. Add a complication like diabetes, and it can take even longer. Ask her doctor about exercise and diet.

Sorry I can't offer any more help. Anyway, you can tell Mom I said hi, and I hope she's taking walks and visiting folks when she can. People in good spirits do heal faster than those feeling a bit down.

 

[diaglo]

yeah, her diabetes and age are gonna be factors. also if the set was correct and if it was a clean break.

minimum is like 6 weeks. and that's someone young, healthy, and with a clean break.

 

[JoeGKushner]

People in good spirits do heal faster than those feeling a bit down.

Hell, I'm in trouble now. Woman is anti-social with a capital A. Hardly has any friends and really doesn't want any as most of 'em she feels are more trouble than their worth.

Need to get her into a social group or something.

Her doctors have been telling her about exercise for a long time but she doesn't have a car to get anywhere and hasn't looked into any services that might be able to pick her up for exercise and take her there. She has a host of medical problems including back and foot and generally has a hard time walking for more than say, ten minutes at a time.

 

[Umbran]

Anyone have any idea how long broken bones take to heal?

Yes. Her doctor should know, and should be just a phone call away.

She's 62 with arthritis and diabetes so I don't anticipate this being an easy time for her. I've got the duties of cooking, cleaning, etc... so any advice on that area (meal planning, etc...), would also be appreciated.

The diabetes will be the big one here. Portion control and frequency of eating may be somewhat different than folks without diabetes. If she's been able to take adequate care fo herself so far, she should be able to guide you in that regard. If not - diabetes is really not something to muck about with - talk to the doctor.

 

[JoeGKushner]

If she's been able to take adequate care fo herself so far, she should be able to guide you in that regard. If not - diabetes is really not something to muck about with - talk to the doctor.

The problem with her diabetes is that like many people I know (including myself to some degree), she relies almost 100% on medication to take care of the problem. My g/f father has high colesterol but instead of cutting out the fried chicken, he just takes pills. Other friends have other problems but instead of attacking the root cause, they just work on the symptoms.

 

[diaglo]

The problem with her diabetes is that like many people I know (including myself to some degree), she relies almost 100% on medication to take care of the problem. My g/f father has high colesterol but instead of cutting out the fried chicken, he just takes pills. Other friends have other problems but instead of attacking the root cause, they just work on the symptoms.

she is probably looking at 9 to 12 weeks then in the cast.

they will ask her to do some exercises and such afterwards. and some toning while still in the cast after the 4 week mark.

plus have her come back at 4 weeks and 6 weeks for x-rays thru the cast to check on the healing.

 

[diaglo]

my background:

i'm a diabetic (20 years insulin dependent)

i broke a bone before i came down with diabetes. and i broke one since diagnosis.

 

[Umbran]

The problem with her diabetes is that like many people I know (including myself to some degree), she relies almost 100% on medication to take care of the problem. My g/f father has high colesterol but instead of cutting out the fried chicken, he just takes pills. Other friends have other problems but instead of attacking the root cause, they just work on the symptoms.

With diabetes the root cause cannot be "attacked" at this time. There's nothing you can do to make your body produce more insulin. Both your remaining options are dealing with they symptoms - you control your diet, and/or you supplement your insulin.

For some diabetics, diet control can do the trick - but it can be terribly restrictive on your lifestyle. For a great many, no amount of diet control will keep them operating normally - they are insulin dependant.

 

[JoeGKushner]

With diabetes the root cause cannot be "attacked" at this time. There's nothing you can do to make your body produce more insulin. Both your remaining options are dealing with they symptoms - you control your diet, and/or you supplement your insulin.

For some diabetics, diet control can do the trick - but it can be terribly restrictive on your lifestyle. For a great many, no amount of diet control will keep them operating normally - they are insulin dependant.

Well I mean that she has no portion control, drinks about a six pack a night (which she isn't getting now since I'm the one going to the store), and does no exercise. When she was original diagnosed with some problems with her back, they had her doing exercises and she was in much better health but then the cost more then doubled and she lost all motivation to continue doing ANY exercise.

Also doesn't eat right. I'm not a food expert, but I know that there's a world of difference between simple sugars and complex carbs and that she should stick away from white rice and other types of rice that break down too quickly and stick with other types of rice that are complex and break down slower.