Hip Preservation Clinic

Fall Prevention Agreement After PAO and DFO

Preparation for PAO and DFO surgeries requires extensive consideration to ensure safe and optimal healing during recovery.

One of the biggest concerns after a PAO and DFO is the risk of falling. This is serious and it should not be taken lightly.

Most commonly, falls occur in the first two weeks after surgery, due to lightheadedness when moving from lying or sitting to standing too quickly.  Falls often occur during post op weeks 2-6, when patients start feeling stronger and become overconfident in their abilities to perform daily tasks. Many times despite the warnings about fall risk – those who do fall, have moved in an unsafe manner and against our strong recommendations.

If a fall occurs, you are at significant risk of disrupting the bony correction and alignment performed during the surgery. Should this happen, you may require revision surgery which many times results in less than optimal correction when compared to the original surgical correction.

There are serious consequences to a post-surgical fall:

  1. Revision surgeries can cause more post operative pain than the original surgery
  2. Patients will have more restrictions to protect the revision.
  3. Overall healing and rehabilitation will be delayed, possibly for months
  4. There is potential risk for irreversible damage.

MEANING – Despite our best efforts, a revision PAO or DFO may not be as good as the original.

You will find guidelines, to assist in fall prevention after surgery, on our website: cuhipclinic.com/hip-procedures. Review these guidelines in preparation for your upcoming procedures. Contact your surgeon and care team with any further questions.

AGREEMENT CONFIRMATION

By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above fall prevention agreement.

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