Suggest Treatment For Severe Knee Pain In An Elderly Person

Posted on Fri, 29 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 Answered on

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my father is 83 and took a fall in November of last year. He does not remember hitting his head and did not show signs that he did. He did however land on both knees and his left hand. Approx 5 days after the fall his left hand swelled up so large there was no definition in it and he could no longer use it. Pain, swelling, joint tenderness and pain, could no longer bend his fingers much more than a cm or so. We have been to nerve doctor for arm/hand testing, autoimmune doctor, hand specialist, orthopedic surgeon, and had exrays, mri's, cat scans, sonograms and still nobody can find anything wrong. He did have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee which left a small bone on bone area and this made matters worse in regards to pain and falling. He has how developed the same symptoms in is right hand and in both feet. He is loosing weight, depressed, has hip and knee pain, and is excessively exhausted, repeated falls, muscle deterioration and borderline sever balance issues. He has been going to physical therapy on a weekly basis but nothing helps. He does his exercises at home as prescribed, I know this because he lives with me.
Do you have any thoughts

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I think you need to see a neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I think your father may be having some neurological problem leading to repeated falls and weakness. Also there can be low calcium , D3, and B12. I have following suggestions for you.
1.Get MRI brain and cervical spine. It will tell us how bad is his nerve problems. Then plan accordingly. A Neurologist can help you in this. With age brain function deteriorates. It is called senile dementia.
2.Get his Calcium, B12, Blood sugar and D3 level.Try to keep his tests normal. It will help in his body strength.
3.for weakness there can be low fluids in body. Encourage him to drink plenty of fluids and salts. Discuss with your physician, some medication like BP or heart medicines and cholesterol lowering drugs can cause weakness.
4.injection Teriparatide can make his bone stronger.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if their is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Thank you so much for getting back to us so quickly. We have an appointment with our family doctor this afternoon and I will bring up your points at that time.

Sincerely XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish him a fast and speedy recovery

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I wish him a fast and speedy recovery. Please write a review.
Thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar