title: Use of a prone transfer technique in patients with severe hip-flexion restrictions: a report of 3 cases.
abstract: We report 3 cases in which the prone transfer technique improved the functional status of patients with postoperative restriction of hip flexion. All 3 patients, who had undergone a different type of surgery, were unable to get out of bed without a tilt table, and therefore could not be discharged home. The prone transfer technique enables patients to move from a lying to a standing position with or without the use of a flat board. All 3 patients were discharged home when they could perform this transfer without assistance. It required 10 to 18 sessions of therapy training, which took place in 5 to 9 days. With advancements in surgical techniques, postoperative joint-motion restriction may be seen more frequently in community settings. Prone transfer may provide a low-cost, low-technologic way to mobilize patients with hip-flexion restriction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA. yguo@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Bilal F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Shanti
authors.forename: Shaun D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000503:physiopathology; D006616:Hip Contracture / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D016684:Prone Position; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*