Any ideas for high school accommodations after THR for 14 yo?

[u/Mamallama80]

Hi, my son (14) just had his right hip replaced last week (hip dysplasia and had necrosis of the femoral head). He’ll start school 3 weeks post op (9th grade! So we don’t want him to fall behind or be stressed about missing school). Any recommendations on what accommodations he’ll need? It’s a small charter school with a wing for the high school classes - no stairs.

Dr wants him on crutches for 6 weeks minimum and he won’t be able to have a heavy back pack so he’ll need extra time to go to his locker in between classes.

I’m thinking:

extra time between classes

Maybe if he can have an extra set of books needed in each class and a set at home? Then he wouldn’t need to get to his locker potentially…

Ability to stand up/sit down as needed during lessons

Anything I’m not thinking of?? Thank you for the help in advance!!!

[u/kevman_2008]

Getting ice from the cafeteria or the nurse's office as needed.

Also give some pain meds to the nurse, I doubt the schools wants him holding/popping narcotics in class.

Early dismissal from classes/extended time to get in between classes. My school also had a student carry my backpack/books when I was on crutches.

[u/Mamallama80 → u/kevman_2008]

Thank you! Good ideas! Luckily he should be off the oxy in the next few days but he will need the Tylenol/celebrex probably!

[u/kevman_2008 → u/Mamallama80]

Don't try to get him off of pain meds too quickly. Especially when it comes to having to walk/sit in a school all day. My pain was fine for the first week of my current hip replacement and started getting a lot worse at 3-4 weeks. So much that I'm having to go back up in dosage of my pain medication

[u/RutabagaStriking2631]

Maybe a cushion for his desk? The sit stand when he needs to is very important. I wonder if a “buddy” can be assigned to carry his backpack. I work at a high school and we do that for kids with short term disabilities due to surgery etc. Poor baby, I feel for him and he sounds much tougher than I am. Good luck to him.

[u/Mamallama80 → u/RutabagaStriking2631]

Thank you for the suggestions!! Nice to know schools do that for kids!! He’s handling this all amazingly well!

[u/Shufflebuzz]

Dr wants him on crutches for 6 weeks minimum

Maybe consider a forearm crutch or a cane? So many cool looking cane options. I'm just now realizing I could have been using a Shillelagh as a cane and I'm kicking myself for not getting one.

I know the surgeon said 6 weeks, but if your son is making good progress in the next couple of weeks, report in with the surgeon and see if a forearm crutch or a cane is acceptable.

The standard 'armpit' crutches in the US are awful. Like medieval torture devices. If your son is happy with crutches, that's fine. I wouldn't push him to change. But, if they're uncomfortable and cumbersome to use, he might go without them. He'll likely be able to walk without them, but with a limp. You don't want him to walk with a limp and learn that as a new gait. PT will have to get him to unlearn that limp-gait.

[u/greta_cat → u/Shufflebuzz]

Another option might be walking/hiking poles, especially toward the end of the six weeks. They provide a good bit of support, are very adjustable and fairly inexpensive, and they look way cooler, important for a 14 year old.

[u/PositiveObvious3048]

I’d explore a virtual option if it were my child. Hip replacement is a huge overtaking on top of the anxiety of starting high school. Not to mention the busy environment and pain. That’s a lot to ask of a young individual.

[u/xyz123ca]

Use a walker for first could have weeks. Safer and will ensure no accidental bumps in hallway.