BILATERAL PROXIMAL FEMORAL ABDUCTOR RELEASE & OSTEOTOMY (RIGHT HAND SIDE)

(In other words - Severing of tendons, muscles and nerves of the inner thighs and a hip operation)

Amber was 10 years old when we went for a routine check up with an orthopaedic surgeon at the request of the paediatrician.. The surgeon indicated that Amber's right ball joint of her hip had begun pulling out of the socket. This being the result of the severe spasticity in her legs. The procedure to have the tendons, muscles and nerves severed was an absolute must, as it was a battle to seperate the legs even when changing a nappy or picking Amber up. We decided to have the hip attended to at the same time as we were advised that it need not be operated on at this time however this may result in the need for hip replacement surgery later on.

The day of surgery began bright and early. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30am and Amber was in a rather good mood considering one cannot explain why she cannot have a beverage or have breakfast. After being given the usual run around, the anaethetist came round to advise that he would be administering an epidural during the op and post-op to reduce the pain. The operation consisted of 2 procedures, the less intense was the severing of muscles, nerves and tendons on the inner thighs. The other and more intense procedure was the cutting and resetting of the righthand hip bone. The operation lasted 3 hours but the surgical sisters were kind enough to give regular feedback on the goings on in the theatre.

Amber remained in surgical ICU only while the epidural was still being administered. The full body cast was something to get used to although Amber appeared to be in a whole lot more pain once the cast and surgical pin was removed 7 weeks later. The surgical plate was removed from the hip a year later in theatre but this was a morning only procedure.

The tendon severing procedure was a great success and a couple of years later the results are still apparent.. We are still unsure about the hip op at this stage as it was more of a preventative measure.