My elderly mother’s ankles are swollen and she is walking with her knees bent. What can I do to help her walk better?

JudyC

Aug 9, 2011

elevate, massage, no sodium, water pills, and perhaps potassium pills.

Helpful Answer (2)

coolbuss

Aug 9, 2011

Just finished two months of home physical therapy prescribed for my dad (98),from his doctor, from the local hospital home health care services. Great gals came out, physical therapy, RN checks, speech therapy, etc. Medicare picked up the whole tab and there are monthly assessements and as long as he showed improvement they would continue. Due to his age he did not have as much progress as someone younger might have. Still walks with a walker and is much stronger niow. Was also diagnosed with beginnings of Parkinsons and with meds has REALLY improved. No choking on liquids, more animated when talking, and less shaking when walking. Great blessing but is this why Medicare is going broke!! Ask your moms MD to order home health care if she qualifies.

SunflowerHouse

Aug 9, 2011

Has her doctor prescribed custom compression stockings? I don't mean the ones you pick up at the pharmacy, I mean the type she is measured for. You would be surprised how much they will help the swelling. I care for a dear friend who had both his ankles broken years ago. He recently had issues with his blood pressure and swelling of his legs. He was resistant, but then decided to try the stockings and to his surprise they made a tremendous difference. Now he swears by them and tells others how they saved his life!

frequentfliertx

Aug 9, 2011

One possible reason why her ankles are swollen can be because she sits around too much and doesn't walk around enough. Try to get her to be more mobile, like walking around, both inside and outside your house/apt. Get her out of the house/apt more often. Have her exercise. Remember: The key to longevity is to kept active. :-) W

suky888

Aug 9, 2011

My elderly mother uses a walker - it allows her to take short walks as she gets support by holding on to the handles, and since it has four "legs" it gives solid support for balancing. The walker has allowed her to walk along our uneven yard quite successfully - although we are always close by when she uses it.

N1K2R3

Aug 10, 2011

Both Milach and Rcacace gave great answers to the patient who suffers from swollen ankles. Elevating the legs, movement in between elevation, and perhaps a diuretic may help this pt. The drug known as Norvasc ( often used for hypertention) will also send fluid to the lower legs and ankles. It also helps to keep water away from the pericardiem to prevent CHF. Great answers, but it's always important to see that cardiologist or at least an internist.

linda09

Aug 7, 2011

it could be time to change her blood pressure meds ? it happen to my husband , dr changed his blood pressure meds and got the kind that has water pills in it and now the swellin has gone down . does she take blood pressure meds , shes holdin too much water and needs water pill to help her pee alot .

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Aprildawn

Aug 7, 2011

Thanks. I can't call the dr. till tomorrow, and she doesn't take blood prossure meds. So, I am just keeping her off her feet till I talk to him. She always loves eating in front of the TV anyway! Thanks for the post.

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kjjd9d

Aug 8, 2011

Have her sodium level checked.

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