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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kay8970 PAO_Mum
Posted
I ask because I am a 45 year old woman and have been referred to Marcus Bankes at Guys for him to consider if I am suitable for this type of surgery. I have bilateral hip dysplasia which was only diagnosed a year ago. My hip pain increased about 3 years ago and this was put down to oesteo-arthritis on the right side. I have seen 2 different surgeons already who have been reluctant to replace the hip due to my age but they have now suggested a PAO would be more beneficial to preserve the hip joint instead. My concerns are that I may be too old for a PAO and the arthritic damage may already be too advanced.
I have had 2 steroid injections which only worked for a few weeks at a time. I now use a walking stick and a combination of painkillers and a Tens machine, just to get by on a daily basis. Not sure how much more I can take though. I just want someone to make a firm decision on suitability.
Sorry for the long post, any other advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
HippyKaren77 kay8970
Posted
Hi Kay,
I thought I'd chip in here as I'm 39 and have just had my first PAO on my left (5 weeks ago), with the right planned for next year.
I fought (and saw 3 surgeons) to get bi-lateral THR instead but I didn't have arthritis so all of them said PAOs were the best option for me. I got my head around it and eventually realised that it was better to keep my real hips, than to risk having 2 or 3 more resurfacing ops into my old age. However, in your case it depends how arthrytic your hips are. I'd never heard of Mr Bankes until I was at the London Clinic where he operates... I was with Mr Johan Witt who is there for private patients but also at UCLH (look up hip joint surgery com) so perhaps get a 2nd opinion from him. He is excellent... I'm not sure if Mr Bankes does the same but Mr Witt uses glue rather than stitches, which makes a MASSIVE difference to the comfort/pain around the wound, the scar, and the convenience of showering/hydrotherapy. I had no wound pain at all and could wear underwear/trousers etc straight away.
I also had a hip block injection under a GA, and like you, it only last about 6 weeks and as I had a severe steroid flare reaction too, it just wasn't worth it.
I had prepared myself for a really rough ride with PAOs but with good pain control and really being informed beforehand, it's been a lot easier than I'd ever imagined. I'm not saying for one moment that it's a breeze (because it's not), but be prepared and have lots of good family and friends around you when you come out of hospital and you'll get through it a lot better. I'm quite lucky that anaethetic and pain medication doesn't make me sick (about 15% are effected by this).
I would hightly recommend a book called A Guide for adults with Hip Dysplasia (orange and white cover). It prepared me for every eventuality... when I went to see my surgeon for my last pre-op appointment I covered all the things he needed to tell me by asking questions from the book and he had nothing else to say! That's how good it is... read it cover to cover! And one tip... do not under estimate the section on constipation! TMI perhaps, but I found that worse than the hip pain!!
Hope that helps with your decision...
Best
Karen
lucia62300 PAO_Mum
Posted
Hello all! I've been reading all the responses to this post and finding it very helpful! I'm 26 and I was diagnosed with bilateral hip displaycia in 2012.
I was due to have a PAO in 2014 and declined due to too many doubts about the surgery and my bones at the time being 'okay'. The time has now come where I'm being faced with the decision again I'm
Due my MRI in August and I'll meet with my specialist in October to discuss the decision again for surgery.
If anyone can give me any advice on making this decision and any tips during the recovery I would really find it helpful.
The fear of surgery for me puts me off immsensily and although I know if I leave it I'll have to have surgery most likely a replacement earlier in life I'm trying to weigh up my options. I like to keep busy and I'm worried about the rehabilitation and not being active.
Currently I can manage my pain quite well with the exception of the odd days during the week.
I know ultimately I have to make my
Own decision but it's nice to know lots of people have some helpful advice to give. As I don't feel
I can get the answers anywhere else!
Thanks!
xx
lucy21915 lucia62300
Posted
Hi,
I'm also 26 and just had PAO surgery on my left hip 4 weeks ago today. I'm lucky enough that it is only my left hip that has ever been a issue but this was very severe and diagnosed at 2 years and initally treated with a bone graft.
I had generally ok but when I started to feel bad pain in my hip again last october it escalated really quickly and so the decision was really made for me as I was only given this type of surgery as the option to stop the pain, well either that or put the sugery off and carry on in pain for a bit longer.
I would suggest finding out as much as you can, although please bear in mind any description of the actual surgery sounds really destructive and Ive been told a lot of orthopedic surgery sound that way (with saws and chistles etc)! I can honestly say my recovery so far has been a lot easier than I had expected based on what I'd found out before. Only 4 week in and I'm off the pain meds already (although the nasuea I ad from them just made want to get off of them as soon as possible). I'm already moving around faster than I was pre-surgery although still with the aid of crutches. A comfy supportive chair is a must as I found laying down really uncomfortable to begin with so at least I could kip in the chair.
The only thing I'm really struggling with it the lack of independence, my family has been amazingly supportive but I hate to be a nuisance to them!
If you do have question though dont hesitate to ask.
Kind regards,
Lucy
lucia62300 lucy21915
Posted
Hi Lucy! Thanks for your reply! How were the days after surgery! One of my main worries is being on the epidural and not being able to move in bed or be able to do anything.
Do you see the pysios? Or did they give you exercises? I'm literally not sure what happens tbh.
I've got my appointment in October to review my MRI results and make a decision I declined it in 2012. And now I must face the music again... I literally have no idea what to do?
Were you able to do stairs?/are you!
Did you need any equipment?
Are you able to get out and about? I get cabin fever so quickly! lol
Everything about this surgery scares me! It's nice to know people who have had it can share their experiences! I hope you are feeling well and doing okay!
HippyKaren77 lucia62300
Posted
Hi Lucia,
Just chipping in here... I bought a book recommended to be my the surgeon and it's amazing. It covers everything from pre-diagnosis to post op therapy. I found it incredible and it answered ALL my questions. It's called 'A Guide for Adults with Hip Dyplasia' by Sophie West and Denise Sutherland. Really recommend you buy it. Available on Amazon.
Best
Karen
PS it's very likely you may have a spinal block rather than an epidural so your legs will come round within an hour or so after you come round... Don't worry too much about the details until you speak to the surgeon. Good luck!
lucia62300 HippyKaren77
Posted
Awesome! Thankyou!
I will definatley check it out! 
lucy21915 lucia62300
Posted
Hi Lucia,
I could start to move/sit up in the bed a couple of hours after the surgery. I was out of hte bed with the pyhsio the day after the surgery. I had to use the walking frame for the first day/day and half and then on the crutches. The physio therapist was great I was given a leftlet with the exercises I should try to do. I could manage most of these but needed help with moving my leg leg sideways and I couldn't get it to go that way by myself. Little and often was the trick to getting the range of movement back.
I've seen the physio once every two weeks since the op (although that stopping now and I am joining a lower limbs class the department run) and I'm starting hydro therapy next week.
I was able to do the stairs the 3rd day after the surgery and have been able to get around. Although the first few weeks I did rely heavy on my family and couldn't get out by myself but that was more because of the side effects of the medication (I suffered really bad with dizzy spells and nausea). I manged to go to a big event up in london 2 weeks after the op (although the next day was hard!)
I can honestly say my hip is already better condition now than it was before the surgery. I have more movement and less pain. (pre surgery I was pretty much constantly on pain killers but I haven't taken any in over a week now!).
Hope that helps!
desaray_96657 lucy21915
Posted
I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, torn cartilage and a lipoma on my right hip after being in pain for over 5 + years and no one could tell me what was wrong..... I had my pao surgery on 9/20/17 was in the hospital for 3 days was told no weight bearing for 5 weeks well I slipped and popped a screw out and had to have surgery again on 10/18/17 and was in the hospital for one day & was told 4 weeks of no weight bearing and now I’m 5 weeks in from the second surgery and 9 weeks in all together & I’m finally walking a little bit but I’m having pain in my right knee and ankle.... and I’m having trouble sleeping cause of it ..... I only used to be able to sleep in a reclining chair but I have moved back to my bed and I wanna sleep on my side but I’m afraid on flipping onto my right side while I’m sleeping..... Anyone know any ways to get comfortable to get some sleep ???
nicola_81521 PAO_Mum
Posted
Hello . I've been diagnosed with a right hip dysplasia and am awaiting a mri . I am in so much pain in my back and I'm so worried !! I'm 43 and was just wondering how things are with you now . I just don't know what to do anymore , I use to do exercise every day and now I've stopped that because I don't know if I'm making matters worse !!! I just want to know what's going on but everything takes so long . I'm tempted to go private to see a consultant .... What would you suggest please ????
HippyKaren77 nicola_81521
Posted
Hi Nicola,
I'm 39 so a similar age to you. I've just had my left hip operated on privately (PAO) and although it's a long and sometimes hard recovery, I am already feeling the difference in the joint compared to my right (my condition is bi-lateral).
I would definely go and see a private consultantant if you can and I would highly recommend Mr Johan Witt at the London Clinic. He also operates on the NHS (sorry I've assumed you're in the UK?!) at UCLH so you may get a faster date. His wound / scar is a piece of art too! No visible scars outside of the bikini area and it's sooo neat. I'm 9 weeks in and working hard on my muscle recovery. If you're in pain after exercising and depending on the level of Dysplasia, yes you can make things worse in the respect of wear on the joint but obviously only a consultant can advise you of that for sure.
Good luck!
Karen
nicola_81521 HippyKaren77
Posted
Hi Karen , thankyou for your reply . I have my mri tomorrow which I'm dreading !! So I should know soon what's going on . I think I will get a consultation done privately. Yes I am in the UK . I wish you a speedy recovery .
HippyKaren77 nicola_81521
Posted
Good luck with the MRI. If you suffer from claustrophobia (thankfully I don't and I've had about 8 MRIs now!), then tell them and they may put you in feet first so your head stays outside.
Let me know how you get on!
Karen
nicola_81521 HippyKaren77
Posted
HippyKaren77 nicola_81521
Posted
I'm sure you'll be fine as long as they are aware of it, they'll make you feel comfortable.
Yes I have Dysplasia in both hips although to diagnose Dysplasia you only need an X-ray. Have you had one done as that is what a surgeon will use, more so than an MRI.
nicola_81521 HippyKaren77
Posted
Yes I had an X Ray which diagnosed borderline dysplasia and mild arthritis in my lower back . I'm taking naproxen which is helping but when I don't take it ( I don't like taking medication !! ) I am in so much pain and its getting me down .
HippyKaren77 nicola_81521
Posted
I know how you feel. I've suffered with it for 20 + years so I think my base pain threshold reset a bit higher! Good luck and keep in touch!
nicola_81521 HippyKaren77
Posted
Thought it was going to be a no goer !! I had to press the buzzer straight away as I started to panic so he said I didn't have to do it but I knew I had too so we tried again . I did 4 minutes and he pulled me out and checked I was ok then we did 8 minutes . He then said he had all he needed so all good . Pleased it's over Karen !! How are you feeling today ??
HippyKaren77 nicola_81521
Posted
Oh wow, poor you. I can only sympathise as I don't experience claustrophobia (unless you take me down into some potholes!). So are you going to look up Mr Witt? It's about £250 for first consult and if you take your X-ray and MRI with you, he should be able to advise quite quickly.
Yes I'm good - I did a good walk today with inclines so left leg going in the right direction. You lose about 60% muscle during a PAO op, but it's worth it!