Posted , 49 users are following.
I'm 39 and having a PAO to tackle one side of my hip dysplasia in April (2012) and would really love to speak to someone whose been through it. I know all about the operation, but it's the recovery and what I will and won't be able to do that's worrying me. Anyone out there??
2 likes, 156 replies
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maria79638 PAO_Mum
Posted
lorraine05760 maria79638
Posted
Hi Maria
It's been 13 weeks now and I am down to using a stick. It has been very hard work, the recovery has been long and painful. That said I am 48 but was always relatively fit, recovery is different with everyone and usually the younger you are the quicker you will recover. I would advise your daughter to take all the pain killers regularly even if she feels she doesn't need it, as she will need to be able to do her exercises regularly to strengthen her muscles to aid recovery. I'm sure they offer hydrotherapy in London, I have no experience of this due to not having a pool near by. Good luck hope everything goes well with her op!
Sophie312108 PAO_Mum
Posted
Hey... Sorry I'm new to this, not sure how it works but I had my Hip PAO in Sept 2016 on my right hip and I was wondering if anyone else has had continuous pain with theirs? I had a fall a week after the operation and me and my physiotherapist think I might have torn my hamstring at the time of the fall (maybe a grade 1 tear). I did go to hospital following this fall as I was in excruciating pain but the surgeon told me not to worry and that I should be in this much pain following the surgery so I didn’t have any scans done at that point and was sent home to rest. Anyway, ever since the operation I've been experiencing constant throbbing in my hip, a ridiculous amount of tightness that doesn’t seem to go away no matter how much I work on it.. I use a lacrosse ball and a foam roller daily, and have been doing my hip exercises up until 1 month ago. Just a bit of background, I’ve been in to bodybuilding / powerlifting for 4 years so I’m used to training / fatigued muscles, etc. But this is different. I also get sharp shooting pains down the inside of my leg daily, along with a very pronounced 'ball' of swelling on my lower abdomen (right side). I really struggle to sit upright without constant pain and this is where it's been affecting my work, which is why I stopped my exercises. I do have a desk job, but even that is causing me discomfort and I’ve had to leave off early numerous times as the pain has gotten too much. I've spoken to my surgeon about this and he seems to think it's a tightness issue and has referred me back to physio... I just don't feel like it is a tightness issue as I've done a lot of things to assist with this and I've been struggling the whole time. I just don't know what to do. I have a very high pain tolerance for a girl and I’m not usually one to moan if I am hurting but this is ridiculous. Every time I speak to my surgeon (or one of his team) I just feel like they only care about how the bone has healed and not that I’m still in a lot of pain. I've had an MRI, CT and Ultrasound with my local GP and nothing came back on the scans as abnormal. But I'm still in a lot of pain and I’m still taking morphine to help with this... Is this normal following the surgery at 10 months post op? Can anyone else relate to this / experienced it?
sarahs8888 PAO_Mum
Posted
Hi all,
Just wanted to reassure anyone facing PAO surgery as I am five years post-PAO on my right hip, and two-and-a-half years post-PAO on my left. Prior to my first operation, my right hip deteriorated quickly over 18-months to the point where I couldn't walk at all. I had always been active and healthy, and played a lot of field hockey until the pain became unbearable. I was diagnosed aged 25 and Mr Bankes performed the surgery within 5 months. He waited to do my left hip until the pain set-in and I was booked in for the op in March 2015. I'm pleased to say I've recovered amazingly and have returned to hockey and have competed in a couple of triathlons with no hip-related issues.
I wrote a blog whilst I was recovering from both surgeries, (google: the Hipochondriac - the girl who cried hip pain) as I couldn't find much information prior to surgery and I was very nervous about the unknown. Feel free to have a read and I'll happily answer any questions that you have.
Good luck PAO patients.
adriangreen PAO_Mum
Posted
I have been reading through all posts and wondered if you were still active on this forum? You seem to be very knowledgeable, have gone through the PAO and are a similar age to me - you a little younger and a woman though!!
I ve had issues with hip / sacral region since I was 20.
I am now 46 and am 10 days post op from a right hip PAO under Mr Witt @UCH.
Correction was relatively minimal (as I understand), with the addition of a release of the rectus femoris flexor muscle and an accompanying slight alteration of the bone where it attaches, to try to stabilise the hip better. I think the surgery went ok but I am having some periods of very, very intense nerve type pain, in buttock / top part of my leg.
Is this normal in your experience, does it gradually go over time? Thanks Adrian
HippyKaren77 adriangreen
Posted
Hi Adrian,
Not really 'active' but still respond to messages! :-)
I probably sound knowledgeable because I've been in physio for 6 years now, I ask my physio's a lot of questions, I have excellent care, I do a lot of research and my physio / diagnostics centre is also a client. It's given me the ability to self-physio and self-massage which has really helped.
Interesting that you had a release of the rectus femoris - quite rare and something I wish I'd had done at the time as I suffered a lot pre- and post-op with this but it's now settled.
I'm also with Witt (you're in the best hands!) but privately at London Clinic and I've now had both done. I had left June 2016 right June 2017.
It's very common to have nerve pain - especially after a couple of weeks. Hopefully it will settle but if it doesn't, there are some meds that can be prescribed if it's too painful. I had it occasionally but not bad enough for meds - it just used to make me jump and yelp! ;-)
My biggest bit of advice (if you can afford to) is have private physio and not rely on NHS offering. They NEVER offer hands on treatment, something that is so critical for PAOs. Where are you based?
I can recommend a Facebook group for you to join (Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy (PAO) UK Based Group) but don't get too worried about reading about some of the people that have a LOT of issues - some people on the group have got far worse Dysplasia than you or I (by what you've said) and some have undergone ops in double figures and others have had bad care. Not something you'll experience with Johan Witt.
Hope that helps!
Karen
adriangreen HippyKaren77
Posted
Hi Karen,
I wrote a huge reply earlier this morning and it obviously didn't get sent!!!
This is the first forum I have been on so obviously need some practice!! Firstly - thanks for your response and advice - have now requested to join the facebook page.
Probably like you, I have had a very long road that has led me here and seen lots and lots of various surgeons and therapists along the way. So if you could recommend a good physio who understands in detail both the biomechanics and related movement patterns of the hips, as well as the PAO surgery, that would be invaluable and much appreciated!
After a hip scope in 2009 under Richard Villar, I saw his associated physios but were not impressed - they just could understand why I was not improving - very frustrating! They even offered me another scope (which I would of course have to pay for - i declined!!).
I was suggested a further scope by Prof Shilders last year - who is part of the Fortius Clinic (also one of Mr Witts private clinics), because he suggested that Villar may have not done what was required!
Anyway in the past now....
?I live in South Tottenham but don't mind travelling to see a good physio.
Re the RF release - I don't know much about it, and was only told that they had done it after the op - I think that they needed to get to the bone beneath to shave a bit off? Do you know why they might have done that?
I hope your hips are all good now!!
Thanks Adrian
Anyway, thanks so much again for replying
HippyKaren77 adriangreen
Posted
Sounds like you’ve had a long road too... I had all the usual suspect diagnosis’ from the age of 10 - growing pains, attention seeking, arthritis, and then at 32 I was told it was my age! 35 I had knee surgery (both consultants missed the cause, being Dysplasia) and then at 39 when I could barely walk anymore I got diagnosed.
I’m not sure why you had the release but Johan wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t need to. If you got a lot of sudden stabbing pains through the front of the groin(?) then that should have got rid of it. Apparently he only does it in about 5% of cases.
Well I’m in Weybridge, Surrey so it would be a hell of a trek? I’ve had the same Physio throughout the 2.5yrs and I’m not the first PAO she’s treated. Happy to give you the details; or try Wimbledon Clinics based at Parkside Hospital which might be a bit nearer for you. I’m currently under them at the moment for my knees (again) - probably having PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections to try and repair the cartilage. Or indeed Fortius / London Clinic - they both have excellent physios. Not sure what they charge though.
Best
Karen