Total Hip Replacement, MUA, Cricket Splint or no splint?
Posted , 3 users are following.
I had a THR a week ago but it dislocated soon after surgery, somewhere between the operating theatre to my hospital bed and went unnoticed until the following day, after a night of agony. As soon as the spinal had worn off after surgery I was in a lot of pain and couldn't move. So it's highly unlikely I caused it. I could not get any answers as to why it happened, what caused it and how it could have gone unnoticed by the healthcare team and RMO all night. The next day the physio noticed one leg shorter than the other, and promptly ordered an x-ray. I underwent a MUA, which was successful and my recovery took off. The surgeon is experienced in THR, and I put my trust in him. I was made aware of all the risks involved, and that it might not be plain sailing, but what happened to me haunts me. If I can help prevent someone else experiencing this, I will. My question is this. Because of the dislocation I have been told to wear a cricket splint on my leg for 6 weeks. I'm only a week in and it's a hindrance. I can't see any benefit in it. The physio said it will help prevent my hip dislocating by keeping my leg straight, but since I have removed it, just for a while, I am moving around better. I wonder if a hip splint is really what I need, (if anything), after a THR MAU? The splint hinders my exercises (I can't bend my knee), it will not stay in place regardless of the strong velcro strapping, and it constantly slips down my leg, so its efficacy is questionable anyway. My husband makes it fit as best he can, but it still slips down (the physio had the same problem) and I wondered if anyone else has been through this? At night I'm lying on my back as instructed with my operated leg immobilised by the splint. But if I have to endure wearing it, I need to know it's beneficial.
0 likes, 2 replies
jen86183 wendy35162
Posted
Sorry to hear you had such a rough time Wendy. I had not heard of a cricket splint so I have learned something. Looking it up, for the hip they were showing them held around the waist, the knee splint on the leg. Is yours not held around the waist.
Hope your recovery is all uphill from now on.
wendy35162 jen86183
Posted
Hello Jen, thanks. The splint is not held around the waist, just the leg. I have been progressing well without the splint and the physio I saw on Friday explained it was prescribed to keep my leg from twisting, as an extra precaution following a dislocation. She wasn't too concerned that I wasn't wearing it but she didn't want to advise me not to wear it. Basically I'm none the wiser. I took it back home with me and it's there if I feel I need it. It would seem more beneficial to have it held around the hip, to stabilise the hip. I'm recovering well, using one crutch around the house and two outside when I go for a walk around the block.