Hi there!
When I found out I had hip dysplasia my state of confusion turned to panic, and terror and back again, the most helpful information I found on the net was blogs of others who have the same problems. Their experiences and words of wisdom made me chill a little and gain some perspective, it also made me aware that not everyone with dysplasia has the same symptoms, degree of pain, or even the same medical intervention.Â
I’m not saying there will be many words of wisdom in my blog, but hopefully someone one day will read it and not feel alone in their diagnosis or impending surgery. I will no doubt also ramble about numerous other things that come to mind so be prepared!
Hx
Hobbling Helly's Weblog 
Just to let you know that I am following your updates with intrepidation – I, too, have just found out that I have hip dysplasia – 46 years old!!! Bugger me, felt like I had hit a brick wall at 90 miles an hour. Have run the last 6 London Marathons, plus loads of other races and was really coming into my own, when WHAM! Run no more – cartilage is wearing away. I am seeing a surgeon on March 9th to see if I am a suitable canditate of PAO, so I am very interested to read your blog and see how you are getting on. When is your op, and why have they said that you have to have a PAO? I am taking your questions for the consultant to ask – who, by the way is doing yours? I am seeing Johan Witt. Sorry to ask so many questions but this is all so new to me – at my age I never dreamt that I would be diagnosed with something that I have had since birth and never known about it. How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking? Quite young I am assuming as you are at Uni. How did you find out you had Hip Dysplasia. AAARGH all these questions – you must excuse me. I will let you answer any that you want to, and please, do not feel that you have to reply at all, I am just curious! I would really like to hear from you – and then hopefully I won’t feel quite so alone! Take care, Annick Hollins (mother of 3, mad as a hatter, running was my passion found very late on in life and buggered if I am going to give in easily, happily married to Phil, and dog-sit for a living!).
Hi. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago. I am 45. I did not have the surgery. The pain is not as severe or as often as it was back then. I was just wondering what got you to go see the doctor> i am assuming it was the pain. Could you please tell me how long did you have the pain before going to see the doctor. did you have it when you were in your 20’s?
Hi Kara,
Not sure if this message was meant for me or Helen, but no doubt you might get a reply from both of us!
I started having pain about 18 months ago (god, is it that long already!), just after London Marathon 2009. Had occasionally had pain in the groin/hip flexor area, but had managed it with physio and thought nothing of it. Then I developed a bursitis and that then led to physio/rehab, pain was still there so went for MRI which showed fluid on the tendon. Actually, rather than re-writing all of this my blog says it all, but you have to go back to the beginning. http://www.annickhollins.wordpress.com. I had NO idea that I had been born with hip dysplasia, let alone severe hip dysplasia that would end up with me having two PAO’s in 2009! I had run, was a very keen gymnast, a very serious ballet dancer, trampolinist etc.etc. If you would like to speak more, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at annickhollins@hotmail.com. Would be happy to answer anything you have to ask!
Cheers for now,
Annick
Hello! Just saw your blog and I will be getting my RPAO done on July 20, if all goes well. Take a look at my blog and feel free to contact me!
Jen
itshardouthereforagimp.blogspot.com
Oops, meant July 29…
Hello!
I am into my 6th week of recovery after a left hip PAO. I am 27 years old and living near London so was fortunate to be treated at Guys Hospital. Your blogs have made me laugh a lot, everything you have mentioned – nightdresses, needles in the neck, epidurals etc are the same fears I had!
I cannot tell you amazing my recovery has been, I had everything done that you have mentioned and it isnt as bad as it sounds, the worst thing I have had deal with is boredom and back ache! Im going back on May 1st for a check up and hopefully I will be able to lose the crutches. If you want any info then drop me an e-mail I would be more than happy to tell you all the gory details, these websites were really helpful for me. Good Luck!
Hello,
I am 32 and have just been put on the waiting list to have a total hip replacement with the same surgeon you are under the care of. It took me a long time to take the decision to do this, and I’m still not totally sure I’m doing the right thing, and wondered if you would be willing to talk to me about your experiences. I have only heard good things so far, but would really like to hear it “from the horse’s mouth”. Anyway I understand if you don’t want to.
I hope everything is going well for you,
Take care,
Helen
Hi Helen
First let me apologise for taking so long to reply to you – I’m on my final teaching placement and things are a bit hectic to say the least!
I don’t mind telling you about my time at Guys – limited though it is at the moment, only 2 weeks til the big day – YIKES!
If you don’t mind me asking how come you’re having hip replacement – do you have dysplasia?
I’ve found the majority of the staff at Guys to be friendly and all of them are very professional. I’ve only met Marcus once – on the day my first op was cancelled. He was very friendly and tried to give me the positive side of everything – which worked, and that’s saying something considering I was tired, hungry and scared! If you are under Marcus’ care I presume you will see Michelle the Orthapedic nurse, she is fantastic, really friendly and makes you feel very at ease. She also has the patience of a saint and sat through my mountainous list of questions.
The only person that wasn’t especially friendly was the anethetist, he was very professional but not one for light hearted banter! I guess that’s not part of his job, and he works with Marcus on most PAO’s so I guess this might be true for replacements.
The other doctor I’ve seen there is Mr George – he’s also really helpful and even when you feel like you wanna run/hobble the hell outta there never to go back again makes you see the positive side.
I’ve had 2 pre-ops now (with the first date being cancelled I had to have another) and these have been quick and easy – just MRSA swabs, peeing in a pot and some bloods taken.
As for my decision to have PAO, there really wasn’t much of one to be honest. If I want to continue to be active and enjoy myself doing so in the future PAO is the only way to go. Already things are starting to deteriorate in the right hip especially, so I’m looking forward to the day I’ve had both done and am aiming to do a sprint triathlon, be able to continue kick boxing and not be impeeded by wonky hips for at least 15 years.
I hope some of this helps, once again I’m sorry for the delay in replying.
Have you had a date for your op yet? Have you had any other surgeries at all?
All the best Helen