Hip Abduction Wedge - Lightweight Micro-Bead Support for Lower Limb Positioning and Pressure Relief.
- Maintains Hip Abduction for Post-Operative and Postural Indications - the Hip Abduction Wedge is placed between the thighs to maintain the legs in an abducted (apart) position during bed rest; hip abduction maintenance is clinically required after hip arthroplasty (hip replacement surgery) where hip adduction - bringing the legs together and crossing them - risks dislocation of the prosthetic joint in the early post-operative period; the wedge provides a physical barrier that prevents inadvertent adduction during sleep without requiring the resident to actively maintain the position, which would not be achievable during sleep.
- Reduces Friction and Shear at the Inner Thigh Contact Zones - the micro-bead surface of the wedge reduces friction at the inner thigh contact zones on both sides of the wedge, where skin contact during positioning would otherwise generate shear stress during limb movements; residents who tend to bring their knees together during sleep create repetitive friction at the medial thigh skin surfaces; the wedge interposed between the thighs eliminates this skin-to-skin contact, substituting a low-friction micro-bead surface that minimises shear at these medial zones.
- Compact Profile for Thigh Positioning Without Excessive Bulk - at 300 x 100 x 150mm, the Hip Abduction Wedge has a narrow profile designed specifically for placement between the thighs; it is not a full-length leg support but a targeted abduction maintainer; the compact dimensions allow it to be positioned without significantly altering the resident's overall lying position or requiring additional mattress space, and the micro-bead fill allows slight adjustment of the wedge shape to accommodate different inner thigh separation distances.
- MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - Lower Limb Positioning - NCL-P9711B1HW - MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; post-operative use requires confirmation of the surgical team's abduction maintenance requirement and the specific angle of abduction prescribed; for general pressure care use, the occupational therapist documents the positioning indication per NICE CG179; product code NCL-P9711B1HW; included in care plan and equipment register.
Hip Abduction Wedge - Micro-Bead Between-Thigh Support - Post-Op and Pressure Care - 300x100x150mm
The Hip Abduction Wedge maintains the hip abduction position by providing a micro-bead filled barrier between the thighs, preventing inadvertent adduction during sleep. Clinically indicated after hip arthroplasty to prevent prosthetic joint dislocation, and for general pressure care where medial thigh friction and shear are identified risks. Compact 300 x 100 x 150mm profile for targeted between-thigh placement. Micro-bead fill conforms to inner thigh contours. MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device. NICE CG179. NCL-P9711B1HW.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill Material | Ultra-lightweight polystyrene micro-beads |
| Dimensions | 300 x 100 x 150mm |
| Clinical Position | Between thighs - maintains hip abduction |
| Post-Surgical Indication | Hip arthroplasty - prevents adduction and dislocation risk |
| Pressure Care Function | Eliminates medial thigh skin-to-skin friction; reduces shear |
| Reference | NCL-P9711B1HW |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The Hip Abduction Wedge is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Post-operative use must be confirmed with the surgical team, who prescribe the specific abduction requirement and duration; the care plan must document the prescribed abduction position and the monitoring protocol. For general pressure care indications, clinical selection follows occupational therapist or tissue viability assessment per NICE CG179. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does hip arthroplasty require hip abduction maintenance, and for how long is the wedge typically used post-operatively?
During a total hip arthroplasty, the natural hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic ball-and-socket implant. In the immediate post-operative period before the surrounding soft tissue capsule heals and becomes strong enough to provide joint stability, the prosthetic hip is at risk of dislocation if the hip is moved into a combination of positions that places the prosthetic head outside its stable range - specifically, hip flexion combined with adduction (bringing the operated leg across the midline) and internal rotation. The abduction wedge prevents the adduction component of this at-risk position by keeping the legs separated during bed rest and sleep, when the patient cannot consciously monitor and control their leg position. The duration of abduction precautions varies by surgical approach and surgeon preference: posterior approach arthroplasty typically requires abduction precautions for 6-12 weeks post-operatively; anterior approach arthroplasty may require shorter or no specific abduction precautions depending on the surgeon's protocol. The care team must follow the specific instructions of the operating surgeon and physiotherapist rather than applying a generic timeline.
Can the Hip Abduction Wedge also be used for medial knee and ankle friction prevention independently of hip abduction?
The Hip Abduction Wedge's compact 300 x 100mm footprint and 150mm height make it specifically proportioned for between-thigh placement at the hip and mid-thigh level. For medial knee friction prevention - where the medial knee condyles contact each other in a resident lying with legs together - the Abduction Block (ID 241) is the appropriate product, as it is sized and shaped for placement between the knees specifically, covering both the medial knee and medial ankle zones. For isolated medial ankle or malleolus friction prevention, a smaller cushion placed between the ankles may be appropriate, or the Universal Cushion (ID 240) used as an inter-ankle pad. The Hip Abduction Wedge could be positioned lower on the thighs in a modified placement, but this may compromise its hip abduction function; the occupational therapist should assess the most appropriate product and placement for the specific friction zone requiring management rather than extending the use of a product beyond its intended anatomical application.
NCL-P9711B1HW
- Maintains Hip Abduction for Post-Operative and Postural Indications - the Hip Abduction Wedge is placed between the thighs to maintain the legs in an abducted (apart) position during bed rest; hip abduction maintenance is clinically required after hip arthroplasty (hip replacement surgery) where hip adduction - bringing the legs together and crossing them - risks dislocation of the prosthetic joint in the early post-operative period; the wedge provides a physical barrier that prevents inadvertent adduction during sleep without requiring the resident to actively maintain the position, which would not be achievable during sleep.
- Reduces Friction and Shear at the Inner Thigh Contact Zones - the micro-bead surface of the wedge reduces friction at the inner thigh contact zones on both sides of the wedge, where skin contact during positioning would otherwise generate shear stress during limb movements; residents who tend to bring their knees together during sleep create repetitive friction at the medial thigh skin surfaces; the wedge interposed between the thighs eliminates this skin-to-skin contact, substituting a low-friction micro-bead surface that minimises shear at these medial zones.
- Compact Profile for Thigh Positioning Without Excessive Bulk - at 300 x 100 x 150mm, the Hip Abduction Wedge has a narrow profile designed specifically for placement between the thighs; it is not a full-length leg support but a targeted abduction maintainer; the compact dimensions allow it to be positioned without significantly altering the resident's overall lying position or requiring additional mattress space, and the micro-bead fill allows slight adjustment of the wedge shape to accommodate different inner thigh separation distances.
- MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - Lower Limb Positioning - NCL-P9711B1HW - MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; post-operative use requires confirmation of the surgical team's abduction maintenance requirement and the specific angle of abduction prescribed; for general pressure care use, the occupational therapist documents the positioning indication per NICE CG179; product code NCL-P9711B1HW; included in care plan and equipment register.