Regaining Gait Using an Early Postoperative Hip Prosthesis: A Case Report of an Elderly Woman

Abstract

Background: Hip prostheses are generally avoided in elderly patients because of cognitive decline and/or reduced muscle strength. The present report describes the case of an elderly woman who regained gait using a prosthesis prescribed during the early postoperative phase following hip disarticulation.

Case: A 78-year-old woman suffered from a pathological fracture caused by liposarcoma of the left thigh. Before hospitalization, the patient was fully independent in her activities of daily living, including gait. The right and left handgrip strengths were 12.9 and 14.2 kg, respectively, and the patient had no signs of cognitive decline. Radical treatment involving hip disarticulation was scheduled. Before surgery, the possibility of fitting a hip prothesis that would allow the patient to walk was discussed, to which she consented. On postoperative day 23, the patient was fitted with a hip prosthesis and began gait training. On day 31, she was able to walk using a fixed walker and, eventually, using a crutch.

Discussion: The present case demonstrated the successful reacquisition of gait using a hip prothesis prescribed during the early postoperative phase after amputation, suggesting that the applicability of hip prostheses may be widely considered even for elderly patients.