Peg -  My Partial Dislocation - Am still in Shock!

Updated 4/30/09

Was standing on my good leg, operated leg was at about a 90 degree angle while I put some cream on my knee. Probably bent forward and flexed my hip a bit, the operated side knee rotated in and I started to fall. Tried to push with the operated leg to right myself, NO STRENGTH. I collapsed and fell back, noticing a strange friction in the hip joint after landing on my butt.

Called my surgeon's office and they got me in right away. They took x-rays. Dr. Rogerson said I apparently partially dislocated the hip and it re-located when I fell. Said he had seen this once before. Another tall woman who can hyperextend her elbows like me (flexible joints) dislocated while squatting. He told me to go back to post surgery safeguards (no crossing midline of body, sleeping with pillowbetween legs, etc) and to follow up with him in a week.

Apparently my long bones (leverage) and flexible joints put me at greater risk for dislocation. Still not sure how limiting this will be - know that my instincts about not taking a yoga class have been well placed. My risk for dislocation would have been even greater with traditional hip replacement, so am still better off with the BHR.

Bring this up as a caution to other small boned tall women (men?) with flexible joints. Pay attention to your body, especially if you notice extra clunking or slippage-like feelings when doing PT or exercises.

I am temporarily very sore (hip capsule) and a little discouraged. VERY relieved not to have had a more serious dislocation experience. Feel very fortunate to have been seen within hours of the event with the good news nothing was broken, the BHR and bone look good.

Peg
3/20/08 RBHR Dr. Rogerson