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You wrote: > >In 1973, my grandmother (approx. 65 years old and afflicted with Parkinsons) >had knee replacement surgery in Boston. > >Prior to the surgery her mental capacities were 100%. Following the >operation, she lost her short term memory. I don't mean to be too >depressing, but from that point on her abilities and capacities >decreased. > >As this occured, however, we would NEVER EVER do anything that made >her feel that we thought she had any problems with this. We are also >convinced that the medications for Parkinsons, which changed >periodically, may also have been causal wrt her diminishing memory >et al. > >The doctors, when confronted, emphatically denied that the general an. >or subsequent post-op medications/pain killers and Parkinsons medications >or combinations thereof could have impacted her mental capacities. They >also stated, from what I remember, that she must have been in this >condition prior to the operation. > >I lost a great deal of respect for M.D.'s during that period. > >-Matt McKenna > Matthew: Has your grandmother had a CT or MRI scan? A totally incidental problem (such as a subdural hematoma or other blood clot) can cause dementia to progress. This may not be associated with the Parkinson's disease. I would encourage that the cause of the dementia be determined and not immediately be associated with the Parkinson's. Best, Bob -- ******************************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S. Phone: 510-849-2555 Neurological Surgery FAX: 510-849-2557 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] CompuServe: 72303,3442 America Online: BobFink "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************************