College Sports...2
5ks...4
10k's...5
1/2 Marathon's...4
Marathon's...0
Attempted Marathon's...2
Adventure Races...9
Century Rides...8
Triathlons...6
Last time I really worked out...10 months, 3 days and about 8 doctors visits ago
# of MRI's in the past three years...2
# of xrays in the past three years...10+
# of diagnoses prior to hip dyplasia...I've lost count
I was finally diagnosed with hip dysplasia about 9 months ago. Forever trying to keep up with my athletic friends and family...I was biking a lot, attempting to jog (pronounced yog...with a soft j) and had repeated pain in the right hip and groin area.
After countless trips to the PT and no improvement, he finally sent me back to the doctor telling me there was no way I had the simple femoral stress fracture and torn labrum cartilage diagnosed months before. After convincing my doctor to take more x-rays, we discovered there was definitely an issue with my hips...the pelvic bone wasn't exactly fond of 'cuddling' with my femoral head. Not being much of a cuddler myself...I understood completely.
The next step was to find a surgeon who specialized in hip dyplasia surgeries. During my research I came upon my future surgery for the first time...PAO. Which incidently doesn't stand for Periodical Aromatic Odor (as google will sometimes tell you). In my case it stands for Periacetabular Osteotomy....or as I like to say...the hacking off, rotation and reattachment of 1/4 of the pelvic bone. I learned that last technical bit in Dr. school.
So now I am approximately 24 days from my first surgery and decided to start a blog for several reasons. One, because I thought it would get me more sympathy from my friends and family (think BIG presents while I'm in the hospital) :)...but mostly because I think it will help get my mind off what is to come.
Hip Dysplasia, Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO) and me
About Hip Dysplasia
Other PAO blogs
Friends and Family Blogs
7 comments:
Wow, my girlfriend is the funniest woman in the world.............seriously. I cant believe she stole the whole "I learned that in Dr. School" bit from me ;) Quoted Anchorman, no less……… apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
Anyone who reads this blog should know that Sam has handled this upcoming event with the utmost confidence and poise. She has truly impressed me with her abilities to handle something of this magnitude and has earned my complete respect. I must say that the “hacking off” term does down play the intensity of the surgery just a bit but, she’s going into this ordeal with “incalculable” amounts of support from family and friends, those of which have no idea just how much they mean to her. For those of you I have met, and those who I haven’t, I ask that you continue to show your support, love, and motivation for her.
Sam, we are all right there with you and I’ll be by your side from start to finish. You’ll be back on your feet and running across the world before you know it, with me hopefully keeping pace with you ;)
Always, J
You give me too much credit...with exception to the funniest woman alive comment...that's all true
;)
Hi Sam
It's Lauren in Atlanta. To answer the questions that you asked on my blog:
1. Flying back to Atlanta - I'm not going to lie it won't be the most pleasant experience of your life but that's what the drugs are for. So take them. You may also want to consider staying in Boston a little longer but that is your call. You may just want it as a contingency plan. The thing that will let you know how possible it is is how long you can sit in a chair in hospital before you are discharged. Look on the other hand many women have done it before so you will be fine. I admire them because I didn't have a long journey home.
2. PT - my doctor has not yet released me for PT. I am allowed to do exercise now i.e walking, cycling, swimming - nothing that has a hard impact to the joint and really to be honest I will never even attempt to run again. It would just be shortening the life of the joint. As for when you have a PT, I have found that virtually everyone you talk to you will have to explain what the surgery is and get them up to speed. So by the time you are done you will feel like a tape recorder.
If you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me directly at lauren@unitoneatlanta.com. I am also happy to give you my phone number if you want to talk more. Family and friends are great and without them we would be in big trouble but sometimes it is helpful to talk with someone who has gone through or is going through it. There is a fabulous network of women that helped me at times along this journey including one that my mother called from my hospital room. There is a different level of understanding that comes with being the one under the knife. Please family and friends do not take offense to this. You are invaluable during this difficult time.
Good luck Sam. You will be fine.
Hi Sam,
Just wanted to give you my support. I wish I could tell you how easy the process is, but my PAO isn't until April. So I'm looking forward to learning from your experiences!
I have to travel out of state as well. A lot of airlines offer special "medial fares" with an open return date ... Let me know if you want more info.
Take care, and best of luck with your upcoming adventure!
Hey sweety, just wanted to write in and say I love you and that we are all behind you. As we get closer to the day, I know your anxiousness and worry grows, but never forget to stay positive nor question why you are doing this to yourself. You will happy you went through this!! I love you, J
Hi Sam--do you mind if I ask did you have any problems getting your PAO surgery by your insurance company? Mine just denied it because it is "investigational" and are stating that other insurance companies don't pay, so why should they? I'm looking for some backup material that shows that there are insurance companies who DO pay with no problems.
I have BCBS PPO and it was completely covered by insurance. Please contact me at samsprd@gmail.com if you have additional questions.
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