13 months after my periactetabular osteotomy (that’s a hip rebuild in layman’s terms), the screws holding everything together were removed. This is the last stage in that journey, and a new beginning for the way my body works. Essentially, I can do everything I used to do activity-wise, except running. I’m relieved that I had this procedure done, and disappointed I didn’t do it sooner! For anyone with hip problems looking for a world-class surgeon, here’s a plug for the man that made it happen for me:
Dr. Richard Santore
7910 Frost Street, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92123
858-278-8300
Dr. Santore is an expert in this field, and spends a good part of his time fixing the botched up surgery jobs of other less-qualified surgeons who attemp this procedure. I’m thrilled I found him as my surgeon.
Matt and I took off on Monday for the surgery, just in time to miss the huge snow storms in the Burque. I’ll finish off with a beautiful photo of our recent snow taken by Karen, a friend of mine. She does photo greeting cards!
I’m so glad to hear that the surgery went well! Congrats on being back to normal again. When are you coming back? We’re supposed to get more snow tonight. A friend of mine that lives at Montgomery/Eubank had 13 inches in his backyard. I’d bet you got even more at your house.
Holy cow, we got lots of snow all right! Had to shovel a path to the front door!! Geesh…
Congrats on the final stage of the ‘journey’. Also….excellent luck on the XC skiing. It feels more like Seattle here than München.
Hey M, hope you & Kera have fun in the states!!
Wow, your recovery schedule is impressive! congrats on working so hard through it all. I have this surgery scheduled for December 11th, 2007… age 30. good to hear that you’re happy with it, though still very scary. I’ve read a ton of the medical websites, etc. somewhat obsessively
but if you have any personal tips for earlier than you posted (first month) I’d love to hear them… I hardly backpacked this summer (my drug of choice 
) so will be good to get done. Thanks, and take care! Rachel
These postings help as our family gets ready for surgery on 010908. At 32 with a grade school child it is sort of overwhelming. We know it is needed and it will be worth it after it is over, but right now it is still scary. Deterioriation is
progressing quickly so it must be done now. Would love to wait until late spring so did not have to worry about the rain and ice, but I do not think we can wait that long. Continue to take good care.
Mary,
Hang in there, the surgery really did help in my case. At 32, you are still so young, you’ve got a great future ahead of you once you are healed!
It is so nice to see someone be able to get through this all and still be so active. I’m just starting the whole, should I do arthroscopy, or PAO? or Total Hip replacement at 30 with a 10 month old child and a puppy. I had hip surgery at 2 years old, so I know that I can power through this one, but it is so good to know you didn’t have to give up stuff you love.
Thanks so much for this blog! I had PAO on my right hip last June and I’m gearing up for PAO on my left hip next July. Oy. I just can’t wait for it all to be over so I can go back to dancing again (carefully! Just in case my surgeon reads this…)
I’m 19 and single, so this makes it easier for me to heal. I will really be praying for you with kids. That’s got to be rough. I hope you have people in your lives to help you out. I wish I could offer my babysitting services somehow…but for now just my prayers will have to do. Best of luck, everyone!
I just found out today that I need to get this done on both hips. I’m 22 years old and am freaking out! I have so many questions I’d like to ask someone who has gotten this procedure done personally inistead of just doctors opinions. Such as: How long was the recovery period? Was it as bad as it seems? How long were you in the hospital for? And anything else you would like to tell me that would be great! I’m really really scared.
Hey Becky – I have been through the procedure twice. The second time, my family and friends kept a blog about how things went, from the hospital stay to recovery at home.
linzspao.blogspot.com
Hope that, as well as this blog, are a help for you! It’s intense, but with the help of family and friends, you can do it. I wish you lots of luck!
H lindz,
can you tell me your experience for the pao surgery.
my son will also go thru such and im very worried at the same time does not have a choice since i like him to have his movement back. he is just 16 but he walks with a limp and cannot walk far distances because his hips aches. and knees also.
regards
alex
Hi Becky, I sent you an email.
Hi my son will also undergo pao
can you tell me how long was the procedure
and the time of recovery . what did you feel after the surgery.
at what day were you able to walk.
regards
hope you will email me
really need informations
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