While all lower-extremity amputations come with their own share of challenges, hip disarticulations are still considered to be one of the most radical. Most often performed in the wake of a major traumatic accident or to prevent the spread of disease to the lower limb(s), hip disarticulations remove the entire lower limb of the patient through the hip.
Though frequently confused with another lower-extremity amputation, the hemipelvectomy, hip disarticulations stop with the removal of the entire lower limb through the hip; conversely, hemipelvectomies remove the entire lower limb at the hip level in addition to a pelvic amputation. As a result, hip disarticulation amputees still have their ischium, the bone that bears weight and allows us to sit, which also serves as a stable area for mounting sockets to support a lower-extremity prosthetic system.
While hip disarticulations are still major operations, major advancements in the field of prosthetics have made living with and adapting to this sort of amputation easier than ever before. While the road will undoubtedly be challenging, it’s far from unbeatable – as seen by the dozens of hip disarticulation clients we see at our various MCOP facilities on a regular basis. By providing our clients with industry-leading devices tailor-made to hip disarticulations, our prosthetists offer unmatched expertise when it comes to supplying the latest technologies, customized recovery and exercise programs, and more.