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Hip replacement and hip abduction brace, any advice?

Posted , 8 users are following.

anns314
anns314

I had a hip fracture from a car accident one year ago. It was treated with pins but it did not heal. Now I am facing having the pins removed and having it revised to a hip replacement. I will need to wear a hip abduction brace for 2 to 3 months to prevent dislocation. My superior trochanter abused during the previous fracture and has not reattached giving me a limp. Has anyone been through anything like this? Can any tell me how it will with the brace? Thanks.

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • anns314
    anns314

    Posted

    I meant to write that the trochanter avulsed,not abused, darn autocorrect.
  • noplaybarbie
    noplaybarbie anns314

    Posted

    Hi anns314, soory I can't help with your question. I just wanted to wish you well and the best of luck and healing.....Barb
  • Milvain34
    Milvain34 anns314

    Posted

    Hi Ann.  I had a plaster body cast 40 years ago.  I had to wear it for 6 months.  I had a hip abduction brace in 2008 after 3 hip replacements.  I only had to wear it for 6 weeks.  It is very restricting.  You can't sit or bend at all.  It isn't uncomfortable but is very boring.  You can't get up the whole time, and must bed wash, etc.  You will use a bed pan for bathroom purposes.  Unless I am way off and this is a totally different thing from what I had.  The brace is plastic with padding and I had to purchase it before receiving it.  It is custom trailered to your body.  I hope this doesn't scare you.  You will get through it.  And not having a hip dislocate is a good thing.  Good luck.
    • anns314
      anns314 Milvain34

      Posted

      Thanks for the comment. I was afraid of the restrictions. I am used to being active and this isn't sounding good at all. I guess I just need to get through it and hopefully on to better things.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 anns314

    Posted

    dear ann, 

    warm welcome to the friendliest forum of hippies where we share our personal experiences and stories - 

    that doesn't sound like fun, but then again, THR is not about that - 

    It will have  a purpose though and probably worth the trouble - Your hip has been fractured and has not healed properly from it - this way it has a great chance of healing completely - but you already know that ...

    Well, at least we don't have to be in a full body cast anymore - can you imagine -

    how are you getting on otherwise?

    come back here anytime you have a question or concern, okay - or just to chat, rant or whatever - you are in good company and not alone anymore ...

    big warm hug

    renee

    • anns314
      anns314 renee01952

      Posted

      People here are so warm and encouraging. It definitely helps.

      I won't have surgery until the end of August. It is good that it gives me time to prep and it is bad because it gives me time to worry. I am single and I am not sure I will be able to save up enough to get me through the recovery. I have friends and family but they are so clueless about what I am facing, so I am feeling very much alone. It is wonderful to have the online connections. Thank you for posting.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 anns314

      Posted

      You are right - family, friends have no clue about what you are facing, however , please ask for help, allow them to help you - I live alone and survived 2 THR surgeries - not saying it was easy-peasy but doable -

      on hindsight, I wish I had booked rehab for the first week -

      Does your medical insurance cover something like that? or maybe home health nurse coming in to assist you with getting washed and dressed?

       

    • anns314
      anns314 renee01952

      Posted

      I am fortunate that my insurance will cover some inpatient rehab. I also have a lung disease (pulmonary hypertension) so they will have me in the intensive care unit for a day or two after my surgery. I do not know how many days of inpatient rehab will be allowed.

      My home has some parts that may not be very easy to negotiate- mainly the bathroom- if I am having to wear a brace. I can't see my sons being very willing to handle bedpans like Milvain mentioned I might need if I have the abduction brace. Yet I don't know if my inpatient benefits will cover the time until the brace is off. 

      They will have a pre op education class but it is only two weeks before the surgery and I could really use some answers right away.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 anns314

      Posted

      I understand, Ann

      I hope you find someone who can answer your questions. .

      angel blessings

      renee

    • cindy00429
      cindy00429 anns314

      Posted

      Hi Ann: my heart goes out to you! If you live in Florida, we can help! After going through tlhr and fracture repair and truly understanding what this is like; my surgeon is working with a group of hippies here who are also trauma therapists, such as myself. This operation and recovery had a profound affect on me and those around me. Nobody should do this alone or without others that "get it". Preparation and support after surgery are critical for anyones's recovery! Please make sure you talk to the wonderful friends on this forum for advice, tips and support! This is not an easy surgery to get through, the recovery is very hard for most. It would be better if our healthcare professionals were more aware and upfront with us PRIOR to surgery. I'm sure you'll do fine as long as you prepare ahead. I think caregivers should read the posts from this forum also so that they have a better understanding of what's to come. I wish you all the best! Cindy

    • anns314
      anns314 cindy00429

      Posted

      Cindy,

      Thanks. I am in Kansas. I am working on building my support for the surgery and the forum really helps.

      I wish I knew more about how the bracing will impact my life but there does not seem to be very many people who have been through that. I have calls into a local rehab facility but I haven't heard back.

      The frustrating thing is that I already went through most of this during the original hip fracture so I have some inkling of what I will face, but this looks like it will be more debilitating. After the original injury, I was limited to 80% weight bearing for several months. But I didn't have to deal with any braces or any major limitations.

      I'm sure almost everyone here has been through the same thing that happened the first time around- it was great for sorting out my real friends. I at least have a core group of about three people I know I can count on although I am worried I may burn them out by needing so much help. I had plenty more so -called friends who never even bothered to check on why I suddenly disappeared from sight for several months. At least I know where I stand with them and not everyone is cut out to deal with adversity.

  • olvinia48095
    olvinia48095 anns314

    Posted

    I am angry and totally p*ssed at life. Since 2010 I have both left and right knees totally replaced. I have had both left and right knees replaced. I have had 2 surgeries on my left foot one on my right foot and I was in a wheel for the foot surgeries. All of these surgeries hav been nothing compared to this dumb brace. I have severe osteoarthritis. I have to wear this thing because my left hip slipped out. I am angry, feel a loss of independence. How did you all get over this? My physician said I could be in this for up to 6 months, all of my other surgeries were easy compared to this. Help!

     

  • olvinia48095
    olvinia48095 anns314

    Posted

    I. Never used one of these sites before. What does 1 star mean where is my answers?
    • renee01952
      renee01952 olvinia48095

      Posted

      hi olvinia, 

      warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum ... 

      I see that your response went to our moderator - your text might have included something inappropriate or incorrect format ... it is ver particular at times .... 

      one star means that you are a new member, darling ... 

      there is a green box saying:  start your own discussion" .. just press on that and atrat typing to let us know what is on your mind ...

      see you soon

      big warm hug

      renee

       

  • shirley57onnabe
    shirley57onnabe anns314

    Posted

    I had a total hip revision on friday, March 10..this year. I have never worn

    a hip abduction brace until friday..My. doc says it is a medieval torture

    device but he swears by it. I have to wear it 24/7 days a week ,for 6

    weeks, with only 30 % weight on my repaired leg...the nurses call it toe

    touch, like an raw egg is under my foot. Today is Monday, the 13th of

    March and I agree with my surgeon, definitely a medieval torture device.

    It hampers all movement and redefines using the toilet.

    My hips have both been replaced, both knees have been replaced and my

    left shoulder has been scoped. If I can answer any questions I would be happy

    To help.

    • anns314
      anns314 shirley57onnabe

      Posted

      I made it through the time in the brace but it was torture. I didn't go anywhere except to the doctor's office because it was so cumbersome. I used a commode because it was so difficult to manage the bathroom. No showers- only washing with a wash cloth. 

      I hope this helps.

       

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