I am SO glad to have found this site!! I've looked everywhere for information. I am having a PAO on Sept. 27 2004. Next Monday!! I am scared to death! I am 27 years old and I have congenital left hip dysplasia. I had a reconstruction of my hip joint at age 11 and now the joint the first doctor created has worn out and I am in constant pain. I have so many questions regarding the recovery- How long will I be "out of it" after surgery? What kinds of pain meds are given right after surgery? and what kind when I go home from the hosp? I am a little scared of narcotics. Also how long will I be in the hosp.? and how much activity can i do when I get home? I am a single mom of a 6 year old boy. I dont have any help around the house, I do everything myself. My best friend is flying up from Florida to help me after I get home and I dont know how long I will need him to stay. Or how long till I can drive my son to school? And I am in school, and my new quarter starts 2 weeks after surgery, will I be able to go back that soon? And there are many more questions I have. If anyone has any help for me on this I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all so much- I feel so alone with this! Erin

-- Erin Heaton (Eunique26@msn.com), September 21, 2004

Answers

Hiya Erin. Firstly I hope your surgery went well. I am guessing you have just returned home from hospital. I had a PAO on April 28th this year. I have something called "bilateral acetabular dysplsia of sublaxtation of both hips" (extremely shallow hip sockets in other words). I was born with the condition although it wasn't picked up on until I was 15yrs old. The PAO I had in April was the first of many operations for me.

I am 23yrs old with a 3yr old little savage! I have left a rather lengthy post under the thread "Surgical Alternatives to Hip Replacment for young patients" which may be of interest to you.

I cannot recall how long I was "out of it" for after the surgery, I found when I woke up all I could think of was wanting to see the wound!!! I was heavily sedated for the surgery and I woke with an epidural which I had for three weeks after the operation. Everything happens so very fast and once you get over one fear its soon forgotten by the next. However I do remember this intense thirst I had upon waking, I wasn't allowed to drink lots of water too soon and the nurses were great fetching me beakers and straws. I was in the Intensive care unit for two days after surgery then moved onto a ward.

Pain control wise, like I said, I had an epidural constantly for three weeks. This was like a huge syringe in a locked box on a drip stand on the left side of my bed. To the right was my drip and blood bags. I needed three units back after surgery and they gave me a forth a few days later as I was anemic. Luckily I had given four of my own units of blood in the month running up to the surgery thus not needing anyone elses. They tried to ween me off the epidural gradually but I become in extreme pain so they left me how I was for another week. I had numerous morphine injections which did nothing. However Entinox (gas) was the only way to be pain free. I could still feel the pain but I was far too busy giggling and getting a head spin! I was in hospital for four weeks, longer then usual, as I encountered a fracture to the back of my pelvis during surgery. The last week or so I was given one hell of a lot of pain killing tablets but I do not recall what they were. 6 months on and I still take a vast amount of them.... dihydracodine 1 x3 daily. Kapake 2 x4 daily. Voltoral 1 x3 daily. However, I've never liked the thought of riddling my body with pills either and only take these now when I really feel the need.

I could not do any activity what so ever when I got home from the hospital. Looking back it seems like I have spent the past 4 months in bed lying down. It took a long while before I could lie on my front but it was a god send when I could as I was getting frustrated and bored, not to mention aching to high heaven led in the same boring position. I still cannot turn to lay on the side I have had done. I try to but as I turn I get sharp shooting pains in my pubic bone like it is being ripped apart, sharp pains in my left bum cheek and still an awful gritty, grating, grinding sensation and noise which feels like my hip is crumbling each time I try to do so. I got about slowly using a frame and after three months I was allowed to weight bare on my operated leg. You will find it extremely weak but make sure you keep doing the excersises you are given. You really need to keep these muscles as strong as you can. I still use both crutches and have increasingly more pain then I did before my surgery. I had my brother move in to look after me and my little daughter as I am a single mum, he is still here now and i am finding I am lapsing and needing more and more of his help yet again, which is extremely disheartening and I can't help feeling like a huge burden. I would advise you have someone around you atleast until you are happy weightbearing on your operated leg. It's hard to adapt to having someone there 24/7 when usually you are so independant. Even harder is not being able to chase your child around and giving her tickling fits and feeling so tired and drainded you cannot even read to them. I do not drive so I wouldn't know about the length of time til you can again. Aslo, I very much doubt you will be back in school 2 weeks after surgery... I should imagine you will just be coming out of hospital then! Have you not asked all these questions to your surgeon?

Finding this site last night is the first time I have heard from anyone with the same condition and anyone who has had the same surgery as I have. There's very little out there information wise. I would be very happy to share or answer any questions from anyone, so feel free to email me or leave a message in here. I was too shy to speak up and ask questions regarding all this but I wish I had. So if anyone feels like I did then I just want to say that there's nothing to be scared about.

You've got some low times ahead of you now Erin, if you would like to chat about how your surgery went and any concerns then I am more then happy to listen. I truly hope you are in good spirits after this op and recovering at a good rate! All the best

-- Emma Jones (polobint@aol.com), October 19, 2004.

HELLO ERIN! I HOPE YOU'RE DOING WELL. I WAS BORN BREECH, THE HIPS WERE PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKETS IN THE BIRTH PROCESS. IT WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTILL I WAS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD.I AM 36 YRS OLD, AND HAVE HAD TWO PAO'S,ONE ON EACH HIP, AND MANY OTHER SRUGERIES IN THE PAST.I HAD A PRETTY EASY TIME WITH THE PAO'S COMPARED TO SOME. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 5 DAYS, I GOT OUT OF BED ON THE THIRD DAY. THE RIGHT HIP, DONE FIRST, HAS RECOVERED COMPLETELY. IT WAS DONE IN 1996. I WAS IN GREAT PHYSICAL CONDITION BEFORE SURGERY. I STILL HAVE NO PROBLEMS. THE LEFT ONE WAS DONE IN NOV. 2002. THE HIP HAD DETERIORATED ALOT MORE THAN THE RIGHT SIDE, I PUT IT OFF FOR TOO LONG BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR 4 MONTHS WORTH OF BILLS FOR WHILE I WAS OFF WORK RECOOPREATING. ALSO, BECAUSE I NEEDED IT IN 2000 AND WAITED TWO YEARS, I GAINED ALOT OF WEIGHT IN THE NEW SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE I HAD DEVELOPED FROM THE PAIN. SO NOW, THE LEFT ONE IS GOING TO BE REPLACED SOON. I WISH I HADN'T PUT IT OFF. SO, THE RECOOPERATION TIME IS UP TO YOU, AND HOW MUCH YOU PUSH YOUR SELF EVERYDAY, AND HOPEFULLY YOU WON'T HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS. ALSO, WATER THERAPY IS GREAT, YOUR INSURANCE MIGHT PAY FOR A HOUSEKEEPER ONCE A WEEK, GET A BACKPACK FOR CARRYING STUFF (IT WILL WORK WITH YOUR CRUTCHES) AND ABOVE ALL, IF SOMEONE, EVEN A STRANGER, OFFERS HELP, GLADLY TAKE IT, IT MAKES THEM FEEL GOOD!

-- CARLA MOORE (CARLAM21@AOL.COM), November 05, 2004.

I am happy to hear that you have had two PAO's and made it through. I am so concerned about a blood clot all the bad stuff from surgery that I can't get my mind past all of it. I guess when you are a nurse, the knowledge takes over and knowing too much can hurt you when it comes to this. I am terrified of just going to sleep and not being in control. I would love to hear the details of your experience. I think talking and hearing others concerns etc can help you through. I have only known about the surgery for 2 months and mine is not scheduled till 2/23...seems like a lifetime away. Let me hear your details what was the scariest the worst etc. I have never even been put to sleep so that is a jump in itself. I am active healthy and 28, so all this has come a a shock. Thanks

-- julie freeman (noxi76@hotmail.com), December 07, 2004.

HI JULIE. I GOT A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY. THE THING THAT GETS ME THROUGH IS DIFFINATELY GOD. I HAVE A STRONG FAITH, AND JUST KNOWING THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE IS ALOT OF RELIEF. AS A NURSE, I'M SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BLOOD THINNER SHOTS YOU GET, THAT'S FOR SHORT TERM USE. THE PILLS ARE FOR LONG TERM, SO I HAD SHOTS FOR 2 WEEKS AFTER I CAME HOME. I HAD A EPIDURAL FOR THE PAIN, IT WAS HOOKED UP BEFORE THE SURGERY, AND WAS A **MAJOR** HELP, I ONLY HAD IT ON THE LAST SURGERY. I NEVER HAD ONE BEFORE AND IT WAS SCARRY, BUT NOW I'M GLAD I DID(THE EPIDURAL). I'VE ALWAYS BEEN INDEPENDANT TO A FAULT, SO HAVING SOMEONE EMPTY YOUR BEDPAN & BRING YOUR MEALS IS A SHOCK TO THE EGO! THEY OVER-MEDICATED ME FOR PAIN. I HAVE A PRETTY HIGH TOLLERENCE FOR PAIN, BUT AFTER ABOUT 12 HIP RELATED SURGERIES IT'S TO BE EXPECTED I GUESS. I WOULD RECCOMMEND THE MORPHENE DISPENSER I.V. THING AND NOTHING ELSE WHILE "INCARCERATED", THEN OXYCONTIN IN SMALL DOSES 2 TIMES A DAY & A VICODIN EVERY 6 HOURS OR SO IS WHAT I HAD AT HOME. I WAS ALOT BETTER AFTER THE FIRST TWO WEEKS. ALSO, PRACTICE WALKING ON CRUTCHES AHEAD OF TIME. IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ON CRUTCHES, IT'S DIFFICULT & WILL DELAY YOU'R RECOOPERATION JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T NAVIGATE AROUND. CLEAN YOUR HOUSE REAL GOOD AND STOCK UP THE FREEZER WITH GOOD QUALITY T.V. DINNERS & STUFF YOU LIKE BUT WILL KEEP FOR AWHILE. THE GOING TO SLEEP PART IS V-E-R-Y E-A-S-Y. THE MAIN GUY YOU WANT TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH IS THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST ( I THINK I SPELLED IT RIGHT). HE'S THE ONE WHO JUST WATCHES YOU, YOUR BREATHING & HEART STUFF. HE'S NOT DOING ANYTHING ELSE, JUST MAKING SURE YOU'RE O.K. THE WHOLE WAY THRU. SO, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF I CAN HELP WITH ANY MORE INFO, I DON'T MIND TALKING OR E-MAILING OR POSTING ANSWERS HERE. I THINK I COVERED WHAT I SET OUT TO. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!

-- CARLA MOORE (MOORE.CARLA@SBCGLOBAL.NET), January 07, 2005.

Erin by now you probaby had your surgery I hope everything went well,I want to know about your recovery, was it painful ? Reason I am asking is because I was born was congenital hip dysplasia both hips. The left hip started hurting 3 years ago and now the right one hurts, but not nearly as bad as the left. Funny thing is that I always tired out and fell alot but never know why till arthrities crept into the joints. The Doctors say it somethimes happens that you can go on till your forties before it starts to bother you. Now i am scheduled for surgery 3rd week in Feb. 2005 and I am scared, I don't know what to expect. the surgery I am going to have is a metal to metal hip resurfacing. First on my left than a year later my right. I am fortunate to have my husband who will take time off to take care of me,but what scares me the most is the procedure, they say the recovery time is shorter, but still scary. Let me know how your feeling and if you feel that the surgery has helped. Irene

-- Irene Gillespie (Ghighclass@aol.com), January 16, 2005.

Hi Erin,

I hope your surgery went well.....you should be coming off of crutches by now.

I had PAO coming up on three years ago, this coming march. I too was suprised at how little information/support there is out there regarding the surgery. It is nice to see that there are finally ppl out there discussing this. I want to share with you a little about my situation. I, like many were born breach, although it was not caught until i was about 24 when i noticed that the popping that i have had in my hip for the last couple of years started hurting and became extremely paainful to stand, walk distances, climb stairs. I beleive i was in the hospital for either 6 or 7 days. I will not candy coat it...it was the most pain i have ever experienced. I was 0% weight bearing for a couple of months...i then progressed to walking aids, one crutch, then to a cane...and finished up after about 5 months. My advice to you is to STAY STRONG..i know i kept thinking to myself, "why did i do this to myself", but you have to remember that the recovery is long, but WELL WORTH it. I did exactly what the doctor said to do, expecially when it came to the physical therapy.

the resovery is a slow one, i had the luxury of staying at my parents house where they took care of me for 95% of the recovery. I did not drive for 3 months. You muscle needs time to heel and your response time with the hip flexor will not allow you to shift from one pedal to another quickly. That was very difficult.

fast forward three years, and i am very healthy. I am not 100%, but can do most of the things i used to be able to do, with the exception of skiing and running long distances. I stick to the low impact machines at the gym. I still have numbness in my upper quad, which over time, the area has gotten smaller. I used to be numb from just above the knee to the incision in the hip. Other than that, i feel great and my hip feels much more stable now.

I hope you are doing well and would really like to hear how your surgery went.

Take Care, Laura

-- Laura Sheridan (lauraasheridan@hotmail.com), January 27, 2005.

I too am happy I found this site! I need the surgery and am leaving San Diego to move in with my parents in Ohio so they can help me with my recovery. I have a few questions: Does anyone know of a good doctor in the Cleveland area? Of those that have had the surgery, did you also have arthroscopic at the same time? My doctor in San Diego suggested that. And lastly, were any of you told to lose weight before surgery? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

-- Mary (lisbeth_00_2000@yahoo.com), February 07, 2005.

Im glade I found this site to: Im 32 and looking for a doctor also a year ago they wanted to send me to a doctor in california, but he never got back with me. So now I need to find a doctor again. My plans are to go to Dallas with a DR Daniel Sucato. I need surgery in both sides. Im worried about the whole thing I have two active boys and one is Autistic who's 7. Today is Feb 14,05 and I don't no if I should do it now.

-- monica (mj4joshua@yahoo.com), February 14, 2005.

Dear PAO sufferers, I am very interested in what you are all saying about this procedure. I live "downunder" (Victoria, Australia) where I would assume, because of our much smaller population, the surgeons haven't done as many of these procedures. It has been explained to me as "a very big deal". I am scheduled for a right hip arthroscopy in 4 weeks, and then may have to go on to a PAO, depending on what the surgeon says after the arthroscopy. My symptoms have been right leg pain on walking, right leg aching at night, (although for some reason this is subsiding) but at the same time increasing groin pain, which is a nasty, sharp pain, and is in BOTH groins !!??!! An MRI has shown a bone cyst on the right acetabulum, which I think also fits this whole PAO bizzo. At the same time, I also have days (not so many lately though) with NO pain. Does that sound right? My concerns are: if they think I need it (the PAO) and I don't go ahead with it, will I necessarily deteriorate? It's just that you guys paint a pretty bleak picture of it if you don't mind me saying so, but also you seem to have been worse than me when you went in for it, so maybe I should wait? I have 3 kids, a 2-storey house with 2 sets of stairs, and one of the kids is a full-on (but absolutely gorgeous) toddler. Also we live in the country so my week or so in hospital will be 2 hours or so from the family, and my husband is a busy GP and won't be around to help much. I also have to drive the older kids to the local bus stop out in the middle of nowhere morning and night, so no driving will be pretty hard. It all sounds SOOO difficult. I was also wondering about the weight thing. I use to be an aerobics instructer until I had the last child 3 years ago, and now this dumb old groin/hip/leg pain has got me limping around like an old lady and feeling pretty miserable and a bit flabby. I'm 42 years old and would like the next 40 years to be good ones. What's the advice people?

Andrea

-- Andrea Kenny (andrea.kenny@parliament.vic.gov.au), February 23, 2005.

HI ANDREA! I HAVE AHD BOTH HIPS DONE (PAO). ON THE FIRST ONE, I HAD YOUR SYMPTOMS AT AGE 28. I HAD IT DONE RIGHT AWAY AND IT WENT WELL AND IT IS FULLY NORMAL. THE 2ND HIP, I PUT IT OFF DUE TO NO INSURANCE AND ALOT OF OTHER EXCUSES AND IT IS JUST NOW FEELING BETTER AFTER 2 YRS & 3 MOS, DUE TO WEIGHT GAIN, AND NOT ENOUGH REHAB. IT DID FEEL BETTER THOUGH, EVEN THOUGH THE MUSCLES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH, THE BONE STOPPED HURTING. SO, NOW I TAKE SUPPLEMENTS TO HELP RE-GROW THE CARTILAGE AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. LOOKING BACK TO THE SURGERY, YES I WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I BELIEVE HOW YOU GET THROUGH IT DEPENDS ON YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE, HOW DETERMINED YOU ARE TO RECOOPERATE, AND YOUR HEALTH IN GENERAL. I PRAY ALOT TOO. I'VE LEARNED TO WALK 10 TIMES OR SO, FROM RELATED SURGERIES, AND IT IS A TOUGH SURGERY, BUT IT'S WELL WORTH IT. IF I CAN OFFER ANY MORE ADVICE, JUST ASK. I'M ALWAYS GLAD TO HELP. THANKS, CARLA

-- CARLA MOORE (MOORE.CARLA@SBCGLOBAL.NET), February 23, 2005.

Thanks for that, Carla. It sounds like you're really on the mend, although, once again, it does sound as though you have always had it tough with your hips (lots of surgery etc) and mine seems quite mild compared to that. It's amazing how everyone's stories differ, within the same procedure. Maybe I won't need it done ??!?? The fitness obviously makes a difference too, as you said, doesn't it? But how do you get fit for surgery, given that the symptoms make a lot of exercise so hard? Would it help riding the exercise bike every day? We do not live near a pool, and the windy, country roads here make outside bike riding a bit dangerous, (there's always milk tankers flying past!) but I could certainly do a few kms on the stationary bike. This insurance situation in America sounds a real shocker - so many of these letters have got bits in about saving up for surgery etc. We have the private insurance option over here, and probably about two thirds of people have it, but if you don't, and you had a hip causing HEAPS of pain, you would probably be treated in a top hospital within 3 to 6 months, I'd say. It's called the Medicare system and we all contribute 2% from our taxes. I think it's pretty good, and I'm more than happy to subsidise low income earners. Anyway, I'm getting a bit off the point here. Thanks again for your reply and your encouragement. It will obviously come down to what the surgeon says after the arthroscopy, and then my own attitude, as you quite rightly point out. Time to go now. It's SWELTERING down here today - 37 degrees celsius, and I need to go and check the water for the dog and the chooks!!

Andrea

-- Andrea Kenny (andrea.kenny@parliament.vic.gov.au), February 23, 2005.