We have gone through several good (and bad) hip replacements so I understand the problem.

The design challenge is anchoring the railing to the concrete in such a way that it can safely handle the load of someone really trusting it. It would be a very bad thing for the railing to fail and cause additional injury to someone recovering from hip replacement surgery.

I think that you are describing a railing that will be sort of like an inverted U with unequal legs. The bottom of each leg will need to be attached to the concrete. Because the only point of attachment is the base of the legs there will be significant forces acting on the anchors. Could you find any other point of attachment near the top of the railing, maybe where the railing meets the house?

You can attach the railing to the concrete in several ways. The anchor detail will depend on what you have to work with, a picture would help. One possibility is to drill the concrete and insert lead anchors that will allow you to bolt the flanges at the base of railing to the concrete. However, you do not want to drill holes too close the edge of the concrete.

Unless you can weld (and trust your welding) I suggest having the railing fabricated at local shop (look up metal fabrication in the yellow pages). This is a very simple job and any fab or welding shop will be able to do it.

--markM

Thank you so much for your help and input!!!
Smiles,
Sooz