Listen to Trish she know's what she's talking about!

Sandra, no doubt you are going through a very scary time with your mom, but don't give up.  My husband fell in the bathroom, broke his neck and was supposedly "paralyzed" from the neck down, forever.  Yet today he can stand, with help, for almost 3 full minutes.  Don't listen to the doctors.  Listen to your heart, and your mom's, and encourage her by taking it in very small increments.  It might be too soon to expect big advances; my husband didn't really start making progress until 8 months after his injury.  However, I can tell you that Lyrica made a big difference in the burning/ tingling sensations in his hands & feet; he also takes Baclofen for muscle spasticity in his legs.  It took a long time to get the dosage right, but they both helped a lot.  If she is getting physical therapy, have the therapist show you how to work with her every day to do leg stretches, foot & ankle stretches and bridging (lifting her hips while lying down) for balance.  Then eventually you can work into lifting her with a gait belt from a sitting position in her bed or chair to standing for a few seconds at a time until she gets stronger.  It took us almost 16 months, but I am finally able to transfer my husband to and from his bed & chair by using a transfer disc- a round flat plastic disc that acts like a turntable, that he stands up on, then I use his weight to swing him around into bed or chair.  Very low tech & easy to use.  If Mom can still feel her legs and feet, chances are EXCELLENT she can at least stand again.  Don't give up hope.  I'll be praying for you!!! 

Sandra – First, thanks for taking a lead in your mother’s treatment care and services.  She may not now have the stamina to speak up… but you rightfully ‘stepped in’ to encourage her recovery toward always (as Christopher Reeve would say) ‘going forward’. 

Second, I agree with what has been said, but would add that if her quadriceps muscles are damaged she will not be able to walk safely.  Without the active action of the quadriceps, one can only ‘shuffle’ or ‘wobble’ but not have the ability to lift the leg to propel the gait in a normal walk, step or stride.  And, since the geriatric population (and your Mon is 80 y/o) is 33% at risk for falling, I’m sure that there is a concern regarding her stability and/or possible fracture. 

That being said BTW – I was the only one in the Hospital and follow-up rehab unit that was not told that I was expected to spend the rest of my life paralyzed in a power wheelchair or Medicaid bed.  Gee... I never got that Memo.… so one day (at age 58) I stood at the sink to wash my hands; and now after five years of exercise, I walk anywhere and anytime I want.

So, never give up, and, tell your Mother to never stop trying to live her life to the fullest.