Causing my hot sweats?
that her leg “gave way” without any reason suggests she may have very weak muscles in her legs, which often occurs in older people who are not very active.
Another factor that may have been involved is arthritis in her knees, which can affect basic leg stability. With someone who suffers from advanced arthritis, the knees can suddenly give way. Yet the fact she broke a bone after a simple fall suggests that she might have osteoporosis as well.
Any older person who has a leg fracture should automatically have a diagnostic DEXA scan to find out if they have osteoporosis.
Your mother should also have her calcium and vitamin D levels checked and especially as she has been in hospital for months she should be taking a vitamin D supplement, which the hospital should prescribe for her.
Unfortunately, being laid up in hospital is notoriously bad for muscles but I would hope she is being seen by a physiotherapist who will have given her exercises to try to keep her legs as mobile as possible.
If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@express.co.uk. Her reply will appear in this column. She cannot enter into personal correspondence and due to the volume of letters cannot reply to everyone. Find out more about her at drrosemaryleonard.co.uk