As you know I have been having problems with my right hip this summer. I found out that I have congenital hip dysplasia. The best way do describe it is by the pictures below. The picture on the left is of a normal hip. The picture on the right is of a hip with dysplasia. I do not have to deal with the bone spurs as shown in the pictures. I do however have a tear in the labrum (the cartilage that lines the hip socket). The tear may partially be due to the shallow acetabulum. The area that is torn is where the acetabulum is now (pic on right). The Dr feels that the tear may be due to the pressure on the hip in this area because the acetabulum does not cover the whole hip joint.
I am scheduled for surgery on November 2nd. At this time it will only be an arthroscopic surgery. Therefore it is less invasive than regular surgery. This may change however. On the 12th of this month I have to meet with a pediatric orthopedic doctor. The reason I have to meet with a pediatrician is because this disorder is more common in young children. My doctor is concerned that the pressure on my hip that caused this tear may cause another one in the future. The tear may occur again because the pressure on my hip is in a location where it shouldn't be. In a normal hip the pressure is on the bone not the cartilage. Therefore labral tears happen due to injury not due to change in pressure on the joint. The doctor on the 12th will determine if a lengthening of the acetabulum is necessary. If so the surgery will definitely be more invasive with a longer recovery time. The doctor does not think that this will be the case but he wants to check everything out first as he doesn't want to have me return in 6 months with the same complaint.
I know that this is 2 more months in pain. At this point I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see that there is going to be an end to the pain. I have an idea of when and I have something to look forward too. The doctor said that surgery may be moved up. This is good or bad in my mind. As you may or may not know I am headed to Seattle for a conference at the end of October. I do not want to do anything to jeopardize that trip. However if I can be cleared to travel I may be able to do it earlier. At this point I am not counting on this as I don't want to be disappointed if it doesn't happen.
So this is what I am dealing with at the moment. I ask you to think of us over the next 2 months. I have been in a LOT of pain and it is making me hard to live with. If we get together be patient with me. It takes me twice as long to walk places as it used to. If I am snappy I don't mean to be. It is only me dealing with the pain that I am in. I am trying to keep a sunny disposition, but that doesn't always work!
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