Periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia coming up!

That was supposed to say I will speak to the gp on Monday

Hi Christine

Your pelvis has been through an awful lot. It tooks 8 weeks for the pain to subside for me. I was on Oxycodone for most of that, possibly 6- 8 weeks, reducing my amount each week. Horrible stuff to come off of. Paracetamol every 4 hours too. Sleeping was really tough, I couldn't get comfortable. I found that lying on my back with a pillow beneath my knee helped so that there wasn't too much pressure with the weight of my leg, and it forced me to stay in that position. If you find it easier to sleep on your side, try with a slim pillow between your legs. I hope you start to feel better soon and well done for being brave!

Nina

Hi Christine,

As Nina said, it's a big operation and don't let anyone compare it to a replacement (which is common!). I was on Oxynorm up to 3 weeks after and then was fine on Ibuprofen and Paracetamol for a further 2 weeks... but we're all different. I couldn't stay on Codine based drugs for any longer because the constipation was causing me more pain than my hip! Personally, I would speak to the secretary of your consultant rather than your GP.. purely because PAOs are very misunderstood, and I wasn't confident that my GP would know what to advise.

I'm now just over 8 months post=op and booked for the right hip in June. I'm still getting stiffness and pain (I'm 40 now), so it is a long haul so don't worry too much. 

I also use pillows - in fact I created a little pile of them while sleeping on my back - just make sure that you lift the legs at the knees and keep the feet up too, so you might need 2. It will help you feel much better and comfortable. 

I was only able to sleep on my non-op side after about 5 weeks, then op side after about 8. Pillow between the knees, as Nina said, is a must... early on, a small pillow under your side to lift your waist also helped me as it leveled the pelvis out.

Happy to chat to you if you like... we'll need to private message to exchange numbers though as it will block it on public pages.

Best

Karen

Hi Lorraine

In one side I have nerve block still, about 2.5 years on. This may never return but it's not so bad. I had phantom itches for a long time but it's ok now. The other side returned after 6 months so it really depends on how easily they could move the femural nerve out of the way.

I wish you well in your recovery

Nina

Sorry not nerve block, nerve damage I suppose.I had an epidural.

HI Lorrainex

I had a spinal block (topped up epidural) i still have numbness in the thigh. WHere is your numb parts? Its normal for yiur thigh to be numb.

Are you on fb? Yhere is a uk page for pao and its amazing. If not I can send you the link? O do hope youe nausea settles. Its a hard recovery but we are fighters and can get through it

Xxxxx

Hi Nina and Lorraine

I am 13 weeks post op and getting there slowly. I too have numbness in my back. Top of my thigh is really numb too, feels like it's not my leg?

How are you doing Lorraine?

Stevie

Hi Lorraine,

I think as it's an open forum, it's good for us all to see all posts as people can chip in where they feel they can help.

Your path seems similar to mine, except it was believed at first that it was my knees which were operated on 5 years ago. My left PAO is now done and my right booked for June 28 and I've just turned 40. I'm under Mr Johan Witt at The London Clinic, who is wonderful! 

Re the numbness - Mr Witt encouraged me to massage the thigh.. keep touching and rubbing it. It can be very sensitive initially, but just do what you can. I did this as my leg was numb, but after a few days, I was able to massage it quite hard (well not quite what a sports massage would be like LOL!) but it worked well. Get some decent massage balm - organic if poss! I could recommend one but my post will be blocked! It has a butterfly on the tub.

Re exercise... I nailed the exercises hard, always asking how I could do more and improve and getting as much physio as poss (in fact I've only just finished physio 8 months later). My biggest tip would be to get your physio to write your exercises down, you get it into a spreadsheet with days of the week until your next physio session. Tick them off each time you do them, which is a great motivator, (often 3-4 times a day) and then when you return to physio, you can show your progress and they can update the exercises as you progress. Sounds like hard work, but it was the best thing I did. I'm now back to spinning twice a week, aqua twice and doing low impact HIIT sessions at home that I created myself.

Happy to chat if you like... but we'll need to send a DM.

Best

Karen

I would be interested in the fb page too.

Wow Lorraine your doing great just on those pain killers I was on really strong ones including morphine for 6 weeks.

Exercises are so important that you get from physio, I have been a bit naughty recently and not done as much as I should do!

I have had 6 weeks of hydro and now on open gym.

My numbness is the same, it's starting to get itchy now which I am guessing is a good sign it's healing.

I am 30, I have a left hip replacement and my right has had a PAO. I was born with hip dysplasia and struggled but so far so good with this one 😊. Next replacement on the other one in 2 years 😣

Thanks Karen that's really helpful. Just been on fb and if you type in periacetabular osteotomy then it will come up with a closed group which you can request to join. Sounds like your doing really well! I will try some massage oil.

Just feel a bit down at the moment as it's early days and didn't have the best after care at Doncaster hospital and not much forward information. Some staff didn't even know what operation I had had and expected a bit to much. Anyway back home so I'm the road to recovery.

Don't think the hospital really gave me the correct painkillers, I was on morphine for 10 days I was in there but they discharged me with tramadol no anti sickness tablets so couldn't take them and paracetamol.

I have an exercise sheet and have been doing them, there tough but got to keep going.

I feel for you with having to have them both operated on hope it goes well in June for you!

The numbness is normal. I am still numb at 8 months post op. Early in recovery the numbness is over sensitive but it does get better.

The facebook page is Peri-acetabular Osteotomy (PAO) UK based group. it is been my life line since finding out I had dysplasia.

I done my physio exercises twice a day. If you dont have hydro you can go to your local pool and do your exercises in the pool. Its so good. I wouldnt push yourself to go over board with the exercises as quality it better than quantity. You want to be able to do them correctly.

Wounds like you are doing well. Xxx

Doesn't sound like it, I was put on Gabapentin to and oramorph. You have done so well to deal with it on those pills.

They do get easier as the weeks go on. Have you started any hydrotherapy? That really helped me.

The hip replacement will be a walk in the park compared to this one but it sucks havingredients 2 rubbish hips 😣.

I asked to join the fb group and they have asked me why I am joining 😊.

No not started hydrotherapy yet, waiting for the hospital to transfer everything across to my local area.

I have asked to join the fb page and I am still waiting. At least you have a response even though it seems an odd one!

Oh yes that bit can take a bit of time. As soon as you hit that pool everything starts to change I think 😊.

I am on the page now they are all really nice. Have you had an answer yet? They were quite quick with me.

Hi no not yet I requested to join yesterday, maybe I'll hear something today?

I'm hoping they do do hydrotherapy in my area, as the local swimming pool wouldn't be suitable being so busy. It will only be 2 weeks on Monday since I had the operation so I suppose it's very early days.

I am also struggling to sleep on my back and waking up with back ache, any tips?

Hopefully you will. There are 2 groups on there one is in the US, the UK one has a dash in the name.

Oh yes I didn't start till 12 weeks so all you doing is rest and exercises but your surgeon will tell you all that. Sorry keep forgetting your early on in recovery.

I really struggled too so I laid on my back and had a pillow under my knee to support the leg and took some pressure off my back too. Couldn't lay on my side untill 12 weeks I think. My operated side I can't sleep on yet. I'm afraid I didn't sleep better untill later on in recovery so just took naps when I felt tired. I have a recliner chair for old people haha and found that helped more to sleep upright a bit.

Hey Lorraine!

Thx for steer on the FB group... I found the US one but not the UK. It's a wonderful thing to be able to get support during the tough times, and then I'm delighted to now be able to give that support back. As you say, it's a procedure that is very uncommon (don't you hate it when you tell people that you're having major hip surgery and they say 'Oh, my aunt's just had a hip replacement'! Agghhh! :-)

Re the hydro - get in a pool as soon as poss! It doesn't really need to be a hydrotheraphy pool - as long as you can go at quiet times. Even if it means joining a gym close by on a PAYG or short term contract. I was lucky as I was in The London Clinic which specialises in PAOs and they have a hydro pool on the same floor as my room, so I started 3 days post op and then went every day until I was out. Once out, I went to my own gym which had adult only times and steps down. Some even have the disabled hoists. Just make sure you have someone with you as you'll need help in the changing rooms and be VERY careful with the crutches in the shower areas as they are so slippery, you'll feel like a newly born giraffe! :-) In fact, I would say don't go near them unless they can offer you one some of that plastic matting. Also it needs to be a pool where you can be under water to your shoulders - then you can stand on the leg. Anything much lower and you'll be putting too much weight through it. All this said though... you really need the advice of a Physio! ;-)

Did the hospital send you home with an exercise routine specific to PAOs? If not, I can scan mine and send it to you.

WOW yes you are doing well if you're only taking para/ibu after only a couple of weeks. I was on IV line for 48hrs, then a combination of Oxynorm and another 12hr release one I forgot the name of. as well as para/ibu for 2.5 weeks, then down to para/ibu. I have to say though, I shall be managing that myself this time around and telling them I don't want all that! As long as you are comfortable then that's great - but if you're in pain/discomfort, you really ought to take something stronger short term (and I don't like drugs!) as it will hinder your physio.

I had a couple of down times after a couple of weeks too... the realisation that you're so dependant on someone (I'm single so fiercey independant!) was the worst for me. Oh and the constipation but if you're only on para/ibu then you should be OK!

Anyway, keep your chin up...

Karen x

Hi Karen

The uk one is on there but it has less members and followers, think it comes up as the second one down. I've requested to join it yesterday. The us one accepted me straight away.

Hydrotherapy certainly sounds the way forward I'm definitely going to look into that.

Yes got an exercise sheet whilst in bed and also taking your leg out to the side, the back and pulling your knee to your hip but that's it. It would be good to have anything else you have, how would I be able to get that?

Yes no one understands what the operation is I constantly get compared to a hip replacement haha!

It's only early days, 2 weeks on Monday but it's very frustrating not being able to do normal things and feel so helpless.

Also sleeping on my back....arghh any tips?

Hey

just sent you a DM with my email address.

K x

Hi

Yes thanks for that I have replied

Lorraine

Hi I'm due to undergo Hip PAO surgery at London Clinic in August, it's been quite a shock to have to undergo such surgery, but I'm finding reading through some of these comments reassuring. 

Hi

It too was a shock for me, I had 47 years of doing normal things, going to the gym, horse riding, dancing with no pain and no knowledge of having hip dysplacia, until I got pain in my groin after doing a fitness class, this was eventually diagnosed as a labral tear, and later an xray found severe hip dysplacia! I was in total shock and said yes straight away to the surgery without really knowing a lot about it. Anyway 13 weeks after pao I'm getting there slowly, it's been a rollercoaster of a recovery, some days better than others. I'm down to one stick now and attending regular physio to strengthen all the muscles round the hip so I don't have a limp. I had my surgery in Doncaster but I think from what I've read, having your surgery in London gives you more support with hydrotherapy which people say is really beneficial to their recovery. Expect to have good days and bad, lots of highs and lows, accept all the help in offer, get lots of rest, take all your pain relief as it will help with your recovery, you will be able to do your exercises if your in less pain and be patient, that's what I found the hardest and still do, it can get frustrating at times. If you want to ask me anything I'm happy to help x

I'm due to have PAO on in August at London Clinic, your comments have been so positive and reassuring. I am so nervous and still get quite upset at the thought of the surgery and more so the recovery

Hi Patricia, is mr witt or bankes your surgeon? You will be fine and uou are stronger than you think. There is a uk facebook page for support if you want to join.

peri-acetabular osteotomy (pao) uk based group

Xx

Hi patricia, how long did it take for you to get a referral at the London clinic? My consultant is sending my notes to Mr Bankes for a second opinion.

My surgeon is Mr Witt, it's getting ever closer and I'm getting even more nervous. I've joined the Facebook group. Thanks

Hi Sharon, I'm going through BUPA. Saw Mr Witt mid May, operation scheduled for mid August.