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BILATERAL AMPUTEES
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HARRY (Pennsylvania)
I'm a 57 year old male and have a bi-lateral hip-disarticulation. That's right, both sides at once. I was involved in a truck/train accident 13 years ago and was only given a 20% chance of living. I was in surgery 9 hours and took 44 pints of blood. After 3 weeks I was transferred to a hospital closer to home. Infection had set in and out of control. After a lengthy process called de-breeding I had skin grafts and started looking forward to somewhat dismal future. After about 10 weeks I was transferred to a rehab center where I finally got to sit up for the first time in months. As I progressed I was fitted with a prosthetic socket that we called a bucket. As time went on and my prognosis looked better I persuaded the prosthetists to make me a pair of legs. They were heavy, hot, and really hard to maneuver but I was determined to make them work. They would not release me until I could walk the length of the hall at the rehab center (1/4 mile) and get myself up after a fall. Although I had to use crutches I could get around quite well. I learned to
climb stairs and jump curbs after weeks of trial and error. The legs really
sapped all the energy from me until I finally decided a wheelchair was a better method of getting around. I got into sports and ran several marathons
until I figured it is impossible to compete with 18 year olds. I still snow
ski and drive everywhere. I have a truck that I drive and haul my show cars
all over the country to different shows. |
Although technically not amputees, in very rare situations part or all of the pelvis is removed, leaving the leg intact. This is also sometimes referred to as a "Limb Salvage" procedure, and is usually done for various types of sarcoma. Sometimes an internal prosthetic is placed, bone grafts, and various types of hardware implanted, or external support is provided by a brace. Residual function is variable, usually crutches, walker, wheelchair, or combination, depending on how much bone and muscle has been removed, the age and general condition of the patient. Occasionally people have contacted me for information about this extremely rare condition, which is why I mention it here. Also, "failed limb salvage" patients may end up as amputated hemipelvectomies.
Besides the problems of pain, swelling, sitting and ambulation, internal hemipelvectomy patients may have a myriad of other problems to contend with. These are usually related to what portion of the pelvis has been surgically removed, along with soft tissue and internal organs like the bladder and rectum. Therefore, urinary dysfunction and bowel complaints may occur.
At one time there was a separate online Yahoo support group specifically for the Internal Hemipelvectomy. Entitled HEMIPELVECTOMY HEALTH. Unfortunately, the moderator was no longer able to maintain this site for a variety of reasons. However, we are trying to coordinate our efforts and may be able to offer some specific helpful hints to new amputees. This has not been accomplished as yet, and for the time being, profiles and links have been removed from this site.
USA
- EASTERN REGION
USA - CENTRAL REGION
USA - ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
USA - WEST COAST REGION
EUROPE
CANADA
& AUSTRALIA
