NLLIC Resources by Topic: Hemipelvectomy and Hip Disarticulation

People with limb loss have particular information needs. Topic of the Month is a resource guide of information relevant to amputees. Click on the links below to access articles and Web sites directly. Many of the books and videos can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.

Many more resources can be found by searching our online library. Please feel free to share this resource with those who may find this useful. We also welcome your comments and topic suggestions! Contact us via e-mail at library@amputee-coalition.org.

HPHDHELP.ORG- www.hphdhelp.org
This Web site provides peer support and communication opportunities for hemipelvectomy and hip-disarticulation level amputees. Information about the latest prosthetic technologies and non-prosthetic options is available. Rehabilitation issues are also addressed.

The Dutch Hemipelvectomy Site- www.go.to/hemipelvectomie
This Web site examines issues including the amputation surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation and long-term concerns. Also includes “tips and tricks” and Web sites of interest.

Amputee Coalition of America- www.amputee-coalition.org
This site provides a wealth of information to all amputees. Search the library for more resources, call the toll free hotline for information or submit a question online.

The Pelvic Leveler: An Alternative to a Sitting Socket / Christina Skoski, MD. Knoxville, TN: Amputee Coalition of America, 2005. Article from inMotion, January / February 2005. This article looks at a pelvic leveler as a tool to help those with a hemipelvectomy-level amputation have more support on the amputated side while sitting.
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jan_feb_05/pelvicleveler.html

Consumer Guide for Amputees: A Guide to Lower Limb Prosthetics – Part 1 – Prosthetic Design: Basic Concepts / Schuch, C. Michael. Knoxville, TN: Amputee Coalition of America, 1998. Article from inMotion, March / April 1998. C. Michael Schuch, CPO, FISPO, FAAOP, discusses the basic concepts of prosthetic design, which includes prostheses for hip disarticulation amputees.
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/mar_apr_98/pros_primer/page1.html

Pregnancy After Amputation / Zahra Meghani. Knoxville, TN: Amputee Coalition of America, 2000. Article from inMotion, July/ August 2000. This story is about two women who refused to let their radical amputations stop them from experiencing the joys of motherhood.
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jul_aug_00/preg.html

The Prosthetic Knee: Microprocessor and Non-Microprocessor Knee Joints / Schaffer, Eric, CP, Kort, Chris, CPO and Krueter, Phil. Article from inMotion November / December 2008. This article discusses the roll of the prosthetic knee and compares microprocessor knees to hydraulic knee joints.
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/nov_dec_08/prosthetic_knees.html

Towards Reaching "Normalcy" – Does it Really Matter? / Donna R. Walton, EdD. Knoxville, TN: Amputee Coalition of America, 2006. Article from inMotion, July / August 2006. Dr. Walton describes her own quest to be "normal" and walk without a limp, despite her high-level amputation above the knee. She describes meeting another woman with similar feelings who has hip disarticulation. After years of coping with their own gaits, they both came to the same conclusion of not letting their limp define who they are. After all, their limp is "normal" to them.
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jul_aug_06/reaching_normalcy.html
www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jul_aug_06/reaching_normalcy.pdf

Disarticulation/Hemipelvectomy Prosthetic Fitting Techniques / Van der Waarde, Tony and John W. Michael. Reprinted from Atlas of Limb Prosthetics: Surgical, Prosthetic, and Rehabilitation Principles, 2nd ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 1992.
www.awardprosthetics.com/hip_disartiulation.html

A Flexible, Air-Permeable Socket Prosthesis For Bilateral Hip Disarticulation and Hemicorporectomy Amputees / J. Martin Carlson and Susan L. Wood. Alexandria, VA: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, 1998.
www.oandp.org/jpo/library/1998_04_110.asp

John Michael’s Corner- www.oandp.com/news/jmcorner
Archives at OandP.com. John Michael and Steve Taylor spent several weeks touring the United States and visited with high-level amputees and O & P Facilities. Read about their findings in this series of online articles:

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part One = Steve Taylor's Investigations September 2003 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Two = Rochester, MN October 2003 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Three A = Suwanee, Georgia November 2003 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Three B = Durham, NC January 2004 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Four = Ventura, CA February 2004 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Five = Torrance, CAMay 2004 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Trans-USA Hip Disarticulation/Transpelvic Prostheses Tour: Part Six = Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for ChildrenJune 2004 - John Michael's Corner

Improved Suspension Method for Transpelvic Sitting Prosthesis June 2004 ‑ John Michael's Corner

Have Crutch Will Travel: The Adventures of a Modern Day Calamity Jane. By Cale Kenney. 1st printed ed., ltd. Denver, CO: Tell Tale Pub., 2002. ISBN 0-9724303-0-X. Cale Kenney had a hemipelvectomy amputation at age 19 as a result of a motorcycle accident. She talks about her accident and recovery, and life since her amputation. Cale has traveled extensively and was one of the first women on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

The Next Leg of My Journey. By Lenor Madruga Chappell. San Jose: iUniverse.com, Inc., c2000. ISBN 0-595-14639-2. In this sequel to One Step at a Time, the author engages the reader with the intimate and heart-wrenching details of the painful demise of her marriage, admitting that "losing her husband was worse than losing her leg." Committed to enjoying life, no matter what it brings, this remarkable story of learning to love again is uplifting and achingly honest. The book focuses on the obstacles this unique woman faced trying to overcome the challenges of life alone. This is the story of unbelievable willpower and human triumph.

One Step at a Time: A Young Woman's Inspiring Struggle to Walk Again. By Lenor Madruga. San Jose: iUniverse.com, Inc., c2000. ISBN 0-595-14914-6. On the morning of her 32nd birthday, the author discovered a small, hard lump on her thigh. Within a few nightmare months, she had barely saved her life – and lost her leg. Now she tells the story of her struggle to return from the abyss of pain, drug addiction, self-torment, and depression that threatened to swallow up her entire life. It is a triumphant story of her determination to dance, drive, swim, water-ski, make love – and do almost everything she used to do before her operation.

Hemipelvectomy* and Hip Disarticulation