Hemipelvectomy
A hemipelvectomy is a high level pelvic amputation. Along with hip disarticulations, hemipelvectomies are the rarest of lower extremity amputations. In some cases, an internal hemipelvectomy can be performed, which is a limb-sparing procedure. A complete hemipelvectomy, however, is the amputation of half of the pelvis and the leg on that side. This type of procedure is also called transpelvic amputation.
Hemipelvectomy | |
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Hemipelvectomy being performed on a patient suffering from gas gangrene. | |
MeSH | D006428 |
Hemipelvectomies may be required for several reasons, such as a car accident or cancer. Examples of cancers that can require hemipelvectomies are sarcomas like Ewing's Sarcoma, osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma.
People who have experienced a hemipelvectomy may or may not be able to use a prosthesis. They may use adaptive devices such as a wheelchair, underarm crutches, forearm crutches, or, in the case of internal hemipelvectomies, a cane.
Physical therapy can be useful to those with hemipelvectomies to build strength and prevent problems like back pain and scoliosis. Because a hemipelvectomy is a rare type of amputation, it is important that the physical therapist is trained in the special needs of a post-hemipelvectomy patient.
There are two types of hemipelvectomy:
- External - Amputation of the whole leg plus the pelvis on that side. Another name for external hemipelvectomy is hindquarter amputation.
- Internal - Removal of the pelvis on the one side, but without removal of the leg.