Conflicting Medical Opinions on Orthopedic Surgery for Elderly Patient
Hello, I’d like to gain insights from healthcare professionals regarding a situation concerning my father. Recently, my 77-year-old dad suffered a clavicle fracture near his left shoulder while visiting his hometown. Initially, he received treatment from a local physician who placed a bandage and sling on his injury and advised against surgery due to his advanced age. After returning home, he opted to consult with an orthopedic specialist, and I accompanied him for that visit. This new physician suggested surgical intervention involving the insertion of a plate and screws to facilitate the healing of the fracture. Unfortunately, the estimated cost for this procedure exceeded our financial capabilities, leading my father to revert to the first doctor’s recommendation of avoiding surgery. The orthopedic surgeon noted that without surgical intervention, my dad's chances of proper recovery were about 50/50, warning that he might lose the ability to raise his arms fully. I am curious as to why there were such stark differences in the doctors’ recommendations regarding my father’s treatment. What are the potential complications of surgery for someone in his age group? Ultimately, what would be the most advisable approach to take in his situation? I appreciate any guidance you can offer. Thank you.
Answers (1)
6/28/2025, 2:40:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel uncertain when confronted with conflicting medical opinions, especially regarding your father's health and the treatment of his clavicle fracture. The two doctors have different approaches based on their assessments, which can stem from various factors, including your father's overall health, the specifics of his fracture, and his age.
Key Points:
-
Differences in Treatment Recommendations: The first doctor believes that surgery might pose more risks than benefits given your father's age and offers a conservative treatment approach. In contrast, the orthopedic surgeon favors surgery to more effectively heal the fracture and prevent long-term mobility issues.
-
Potential Complications of Surgery: For elderly patients, possible complications from surgery include:
- Increased Risk of Infection: Surgery always carries a risk of infection, which can be more serious in older adults.
- Anesthesia Risks: Older patients may have a higher risk of adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Longer Recovery Time: Recovery might take longer due to other health conditions that are more common with age, like heart disease or diabetes.
Recommended Approach:
To make an informed decision about your father's treatment, consider the following steps:
-
Gather More Information: Encourage open discussions with both doctors to clarify why they recommend their respective treatments. Ask specific questions about the risks and benefits of each option, especially concerning your father's health and lifestyle.
-
Consider a Third Opinion: If possible, seeking a third opinion from another orthopedic specialist may provide a broader perspective and help clarify the best course of action.
-
Evaluate Non-Surgical Options: Discuss alternative treatments with the doctors, such as physical therapy or pain management strategies that can promote healing without surgery.
-
Support and Comfort: It’s essential to involve your father in the decision-making process, allowing him to express his preferences and concerns about surgery and recovery.
-
Financial Concerns: If cost is an issue, ask the orthopedic surgeon if there are any options for payment plans or financial assistance, which might make surgery more feasible if it is the preferred route.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the decision should weigh the potential benefits of surgery against the associated risks and your father's personal values and preferences. Ongoing communication with healthcare professionals will be key in navigating this decision.
Related Questions
Concern Regarding a Hard and Painless Lymph Node Bump in the Groin
21-year-old male: I've discovered a firm, movable bump in the lymphatic region of my groin. This lump does not cause me any pain and feels oval-shaped. I'm quite apprehensive that this may signal lymphoma. Approximately a month ago, I felt unwell and noticed this bump around ten days ago. To my knowledge, there haven't been any changes in its condition during this period. I feel increasingly anxious due to a similar experience from September 2023, when I had a bump on my chest near the armpit; it shared similar qualities, though it had more of an almond shape. While that bump has since vanished, a purple discoloration now marks the former location. It too was hard and painless, but resolved on its own after a few weeks. Regarding common lymphoma indicators, I tend to consume a lot of food but have not experienced any significant changes in my weight. Although I don’t suffer from night sweats, I do find myself getting warm quite easily. Occasionally, I have trouble falling asleep and may sleep poorly, yet, on other occasions, I manage to get around twelve hours of rest. Additionally, I’ve noticed something peculiar with these lymph nodes. On both occasions when I encountered these bumps, a small hole appeared in the center initially? When pressed, a bit of clear or reddish fluid would emerge, but by the next day, the holes vanished entirely, leaving the skin smooth again, with only the bump remaining. I cannot explain this phenomenon, and my research has yielded no answers except for possible lymphoma.
Mysterious Illness: From Chills to Fever in Hours
Recently, I experienced a puzzling sequence of symptoms that left me confused. Just two days after recovering from being ill, I found myself feeling perfectly fine, so the sudden change in my condition was alarming. It was midday during summer, and while attending to my tasks at work, I suddenly felt a chill. I initially thought that our malfunctioning air conditioning unit had somehow started working again. However, the chill escalated quickly. I typically don’t react to cold temperatures by shivering, but for about an hour, I couldn’t stop trembling. To combat the cold, I wrapped myself in a blanket and donned a sweatshirt, but relief was elusive. The warmth of a cup of hot tea was the sole comfort I found during this discomforting episode. As I lay shivering in bed, I began guiding my sister on what to prepare for dinner, gradually recognizing that something was indeed off with my health. When she left, it felt as if my temperature normalized temporarily, which was a relief. Yet, that sense of comfort didn't last long. Lacking a thermometer to confirm, I became aware of a fever creeping in, accompanied by a severe headache, a pulsing sensation in my head, and an unsettling ringing in my ears. During this phase, I lost track of time as the discomfort intensified far beyond the earlier shivering incident. Eventually, I managed to rise, albeit unsteadily due to some dizziness. I took 1000 mg of acetaminophen and drank an impressive amount of water, roughly equivalent to two large hydroflasks. From what I could assess, this fever lasted around three hours. By evening, apart from the lingering headache, most of my other symptoms had faded. I braced for the possibility of dealing with COVID or another illness in the week ahead, but by the following day, I only experienced a modest headache. I took another dose of 1000 mg of acetaminophen, and today, remarkably, I feel as if nothing had ever happened. I’m curious if anyone has insights on what might have transpired during this strange episode.
Understanding the Hard Nodules in My Neck Area
I've recently become aware of some firm, non-movable lumps located near my sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle on both sides of my neck. When I apply pressure to the areas between my SCM and throat, I can feel these small knots. They don’t really protrude enough to be visible through the skin, but I often find myself fixating on my neck. While they are not perfectly symmetrical, they appear in comparable spots on both sides. Interestingly, I have noticed similar hard lumps on a few other individuals; a friend of mine has them in the same vicinity, and my mother also displays them, albeit less prominently. It seems that some people may not have these at all. I am an 18-year-old male, generally healthy and active, and I currently do not experience any discomfort or illness. After consulting both a chiropractor and a massage therapist, they suggested that these could be related to bone; however, I'm not quite convinced that bones would be that distinct (especially given that my neck is quite slender and lengthy). I first became aware of these nodules approximately a year ago, and they haven't seemed to develop further (at least not that I've noticed). After some excessive online searching, I found myself feeling quite anxious about my health, so I’m just looking for some reassurance about this situation.
Gallbladder Issues
A 30-year-old female with Factor V Leiden currently taking Xarelto visited the emergency room three days ago due to intense pain in her right abdomen and back. Although she experienced similar discomfort three weeks earlier, she opted to manage it at home rather than seek medical attention immediately. At the hospital, medical staff conducted blood tests alongside a CT scan and an ultrasound. They diagnosed her with a gallstone, swelling of the gallbladder, and biliary colic. Afterward, she was discharged with prescriptions for Zofran, Pepcid, and Hydrocodone to manage potential pain until her consultation with a general surgeon. She has a few inquiries and concerns regarding her condition: 1. Are there any non-surgical methods available for eliminating the gallstone, as opposed to a complete gallbladder removal? 2. Since returning from the ER, she has been experiencing significant discomfort, including nausea, persistent back pain, and discomfort in her right flank. While she contemplates taking a pain reliever, she is hesitant to deplete her supply, especially since she's unsure whether a subsequent prescription will be issued. She is following the prescribed dosages of Pepcid and Zofran, with varying degrees of relief. Are there alternative remedies she could explore at home to alleviate her symptoms? 3. An interesting detail from her blood tests revealed her INR was only 1 despite being on Xarelto. She has an appointment with her primary care physician next week and intends to address this matter, but she wonders if her blood thinners are insufficiently effective. Apologies for the lengthy message; she's feeling quite anxious about her situation, and any feedback would be greatly valued.
Understanding Prediabetes: My Father's Experience
Recently, my father, a 64-year-old man standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, has been diagnosed with prediabetes, indicated by an A1C level of 6. Despite being a generally healthy individual—he abstains from red meat, consumes very little dairy, and maintains an active lifestyle, mostly working on his feet and spending time outdoors with his dogs—this news has come as a surprise to us. Notably, there is no history of diabetes in our family background. His doctor provided him with a standard list of foods to steer clear of and recommendations to increase physical activity. However, most of this guidance simply reiterates habits he already practices, rendering much of it irrelevant. My father experiences some health-related anxiety, and he is concerned that this diagnosis may worsen his mental well-being. What could have led to this unexpected condition? I’m eager to understand better approaches to management and treatment for someone with his profile and lifestyle.