I was born with Bilateral Congenital Hip Dysplasia (essentially both of my hip sockets weren’t properly developed), for the next 9 months I was put in a Pavlik harness which stabilized my hips and allowed my bones to develop. 15 years later, however, my hips began dislocating at any random time. Progressively, the dislocating became more frequent and more painful to a point where I had to stop running, dancing and horse riding. (For a sporty kid who loved P.E. this truly sucked)
When I was 15, on the 7th of January 2017 I had my first PAO surgery on my right hip (PAO – Periacetabular Osteotomy), this was an 8-hour reconstructive operation which involves the hip socket (acetabulum) being repositioned by cutting the bone around it and rotating the socket downward to try to get better coverage for the ball of the joint; metalwork was put in place to hold all of the freshly cut bone in its new correct position. (I had 4 pins each 6 inches long and wire holding it all together). The surgery was successful!
On the 8th of December 2017, I had my metal work removed and one of my tendons lengthened as they began to interfere with my joint as I moved it. As I moved my leg, the tendon would get caught and then snap across my joint which was incredibly painful. I was 16 at the time.
Three months later, on the 23rd of March 2018, I had my third operation and second PAO surgery, this time on my left hip. The surgery was again 8 hours and achieved the same results as my first. This operation was only booked a few days before the actual surgery date; I was on a school residential to Snowdonia in Wales at the time when I got a call saying there was a bed free at the hospital the day after we got back home and the surgery was immediately booked. I had little time to prepare myself mentally and emotionally however there was no way I was going to delay it!
Now that my bones have fused and my muscles and tendons are slowly but surely recovering; I am determined to support others who may be going through the same thing. I want to be able to get up and show that life with hip dysplasia does get better and although it is a long and difficult journey, it is worth every second of discomfort and pain to be able to live my life to the fullest.
I have also just managed to run a half marathon! I completed it in 2:51! My goal was to complete in 3 hours so I am over the moon! Don’t get me wrong it was painful and really hard work, but I did it. 17 months ago I couldn’t walk and now I have completed a half marathon!
Yes. I have screws in my hips. Yes. I have a funky walk when I get tired. No. It doesn’t stop me from pushing my body WAY beyond its limit and doing something kinda stupid like this 😀
STEPS doesn’t just support those children affected by hip dysplasia, they help those impacted by childhood lower limb conditions. Please help me to raise awareness for this incredible and deeply personal cause to change another child’s life.
I can’t thank them enough for their help. xx