Abduction Wedge - Post-operative stability and shear reduction for hip replacement recovery.
- Post-Hip Replacement Dislocation Prevention - the Abduction Wedge is designed specifically for post-total hip replacement patients who require the operated leg to be maintained in an abducted position to prevent prosthetic joint dislocation; the wedge is placed between the thighs and knees to maintain the prescribed separation, preventing adduction - the crossing or bringing together of the legs - which is the movement component most associated with dislocation risk in the posterior approach hip replacement; the anatomically shaped profile mirrors the natural angle between the legs for comfortable positioning during extended recovery periods in bed or chair.
- Low-Profile Compact Design for Bed and Chair Use - at 240 x 160 x 180mm, the Abduction Wedge is considerably smaller than the micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236, 300 x 100 x 150mm) and the foam-based Semi-Fowler Retraction Wedge, with its compact height of 180mm designed so that the patient can sit comfortably with the wedge in place and still fit under a table or bedside tray; this compatibility with seated use is clinically important because post-hip replacement patients progress from bed rest to chair sitting early in recovery, and the abduction precaution must be maintained across all positions during the restriction period.
- No Sharp Edges - Bi-Stretch PU Cover with Soft Attachment - the high-resiliency foam construction has no sharp edges at the contact zone, reducing the skin injury risk from the wedge's repeated contact with the inner thigh surfaces during repositioning and postural adjustment; the bi-stretch polyurethane cover minimises friction and shear at the skin contact surface; the soft adjustable attachment system secures the wedge position without the discomfort and skin irritation associated with traditional belt-based abduction systems, allowing gentle fixation that can be adjusted without full removal of the wedge.
- HR Foam - 240x160x180mm - MDR Class I - NCL-P911L1HW - high-resiliency foam maintains the abduction separation across extended positioning periods; prescribing clinician must confirm the specific abduction requirement from the operating surgeon; for general pressure care use of abduction positioning, the micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236) is the alternative; product code NCL-P911L1HW.
Abduction Wedge - Post-Hip Replacement - HR Foam - Low Profile - Bed and Chair - NCL-P911L1HW
The Abduction Wedge maintains the leg abduction position after total hip replacement surgery to prevent prosthetic joint dislocation, with a compact 240 x 160 x 180mm profile suitable for both bed and chair use during recovery. High-resiliency foam with no sharp edges at contact zones. Bi-stretch PU cover with a soft adjustable attachment system, eliminating the friction and skin irritation of traditional belt-based systems. MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device. Post-operative use requires surgeon's abduction prescription. NCL-P911L1HW.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction | High-resiliency foam - no sharp edges |
| Dimensions | 240 x 160 x 180mm |
| Cover | Bi-stretch polyurethane - friction-reducing |
| Fixation | Soft adjustable attachment system |
| Clinical Use | Post-hip replacement abduction maintenance - bed and chair |
| Chair Compatibility | Low-profile design fits under tables and bedside trays |
| Reference | NCL-P911L1HW |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The Abduction Wedge is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Post-operative use must be prescribed by the operating surgeon or physiotherapist with the specific abduction requirement, duration, and applicable positions documented. For care home settings receiving post-hip replacement residents, the discharge documentation must include the abduction prescription before the wedge is deployed. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What movements must post-hip replacement patients avoid, and how does the Abduction Wedge prevent each?
After a posterior approach total hip replacement, three movement combinations are classically restricted in the early post-operative period to prevent dislocation: flexion beyond 90 degrees (bending the hip acutely, such as sitting in a low chair or bending forward to reach the floor); adduction past the midline (crossing the legs or bringing the knees together); and internal rotation (turning the foot and lower leg inward). The Abduction Wedge specifically prevents adduction by maintaining a physical separation between the thighs that cannot be closed without removing the wedge; it does not address the flexion or rotation restrictions, which are managed through patient education, the height of seating, and movement restrictions enforced through activity modification. The wedge is most effective at preventing inadvertent nocturnal adduction during sleep, when the patient cannot consciously monitor their leg position, which is when the dislocation risk from adduction is highest. The flexion restriction (not bending the hip past 90 degrees) is particularly relevant for chair use - the chair height must be appropriate to avoid acute hip flexion when sitting down.
How does this Abduction Wedge compare to the micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236) for post-hip replacement use?
The two products share the same clinical indication in part but have different material properties and design priorities. The micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236) is filled with conformable micro-beads that adapt to the inner thigh contours, providing a very low-friction, highly conforming surface that is clinically appropriate for residents requiring prolonged abduction positioning for both pressure care and postural maintenance. The foam Abduction Wedge (this product, ID 249) uses high-resiliency foam to provide a more structurally firm and dimensionally stable abduction barrier, which some surgical protocols prefer for the specific post-replacement application because the firm profile provides more definitive separation resistance; the attachment system is also specifically designed for the post-operative patient's ability to manage fixation independently or with minimal assistance during progressive rehabilitation. The compact 240 x 160 x 180mm size is also calibrated for the specific thigh separation distance prescribed after hip replacement rather than as a general abduction aid. For the prescribing clinician, the selection between the two products depends on the surgical team's preference, the patient's comfort and compliance with each device, and any specific protocol the physiotherapy team has established for the post-operative abduction management.
NCL-P911L1HW
- Post-Hip Replacement Dislocation Prevention - the Abduction Wedge is designed specifically for post-total hip replacement patients who require the operated leg to be maintained in an abducted position to prevent prosthetic joint dislocation; the wedge is placed between the thighs and knees to maintain the prescribed separation, preventing adduction - the crossing or bringing together of the legs - which is the movement component most associated with dislocation risk in the posterior approach hip replacement; the anatomically shaped profile mirrors the natural angle between the legs for comfortable positioning during extended recovery periods in bed or chair.
- Low-Profile Compact Design for Bed and Chair Use - at 240 x 160 x 180mm, the Abduction Wedge is considerably smaller than the micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236, 300 x 100 x 150mm) and the foam-based Semi-Fowler Retraction Wedge, with its compact height of 180mm designed so that the patient can sit comfortably with the wedge in place and still fit under a table or bedside tray; this compatibility with seated use is clinically important because post-hip replacement patients progress from bed rest to chair sitting early in recovery, and the abduction precaution must be maintained across all positions during the restriction period.
- No Sharp Edges - Bi-Stretch PU Cover with Soft Attachment - the high-resiliency foam construction has no sharp edges at the contact zone, reducing the skin injury risk from the wedge's repeated contact with the inner thigh surfaces during repositioning and postural adjustment; the bi-stretch polyurethane cover minimises friction and shear at the skin contact surface; the soft adjustable attachment system secures the wedge position without the discomfort and skin irritation associated with traditional belt-based abduction systems, allowing gentle fixation that can be adjusted without full removal of the wedge.
- HR Foam - 240x160x180mm - MDR Class I - NCL-P911L1HW - high-resiliency foam maintains the abduction separation across extended positioning periods; prescribing clinician must confirm the specific abduction requirement from the operating surgeon; for general pressure care use of abduction positioning, the micro-bead Hip Abduction Wedge (ID 236) is the alternative; product code NCL-P911L1HW.