So, you need a new hip

I am a 34 year old mother of 2. I am creating this blog so that others (young and old) will get first hand look at getting a hip replacement. If you run across this, you may also have visited Dancer's Hips. Kathryn has been extremely supportive and helpful. If you are in our boat, she can also help guide you.

I have been told by 4 different orthopedist that it is not a matter of IF I will need a hip replacement, it is a matter of WHEN. I was born with hip dysplasia and apparently they didn't catch it when I was a baby. I was in my 20s and an avid runner before I knew anything was wrong. I probably should have cut down on all exercise then, but instead I only scaled back and here I am at 34 facing a joint replacement. I was going along ok until after the birth of my second child. I noticed that my hip was aching and hurting all the time. I started swimming, cut back on walking and even crossed the elliptical off my list.

I lasted a year like this, but noticed that shopping trips were unbearable and I wouldn't want to walk my kids to the park any longer. I kept thinking that I didn't need to do this. What is a little pain? I can tolerate pain.

But, I am realizing that I want to walk on the paths near my house and want to walk my kid to his first day of Kindergarten in September. (I bet not many hip replacement patients have that as a goal.) I am going for it. I have a surgeon I like, a hospital I am comfortable with and now is the time. I have done my research. I have looked at the double incision approach, the lateral approach and I have decided to go with the anterior approach. Seems like the "hip" way to do a hip replacement. Mostly, it just seems like it will be an easier recovery, but will allow the surgeon to get a good view and do a really good job since I know I will need a revision (at least I hope I last that long on earth). I am going to Dr. Marc Hungerford at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.