Appendicitis is an infection or inflammation of the appendix, a tube-like structure attached to the cecum (large intestine). The appendix is located in the right lower part of the abdomen in most children. Appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery in children.
A bariatric wheelchair may be needed in any situation where the weight of a patient makes using a standard wheelchair unsafe or impractical. Most standard wheelchairs have a weight limit of 250 to 300 pounds. Failure to observe the weight limit can cause serious injury if the frame breaks or a part fails. In these cases, a bariatric wheelchair is necessary for the safety of the user.
Patients are typically kept on partial weight-bearing for 6-12 weeks. Most patients will walk with crutches or a walker with foot-flat weight-bearing on the operative side for the first 6 weeks. Foot-flat weight-bearing allows 50-60 lbs to be placed across the hip joint during this time. Patients are rapidly progressed from a walker or crutch ambulation to cane ambulation for an additional 4-6 weeks and then to weight-bearing without an ambulatory assistive device usually after 3 months.