So I went to the orthopedic yesterday for some pain in my hip that I've been having for a while now. When I was 8, I was diagnosed with
Legg Calve Perthes Disease in the hip which is a rare hip disease in small children. Basically, your hip is a ball and socket joint. This disease causes the ball to become flat on top and irregular. It is supposedly caused by a sudden decrease of blood supply to the hip. It is not hereditary either. Well I had corrective surgery when I was 9 (1996) to have it reshaped. The surgery went well and I was able to walk without pain. I was able to run cross-country (ran 3.1 miles in 18:10 minutes). I was fine. OR So I thought!
My right leg is shorther than the other because all this happened at a young age. So I have a slight limp but no one would be the wiser unless I pointed it out. Well it has been bothering me for a bit now with uncomfortable pain in it. Mainly when I have to walk alot, like when shopping or somthing of that nature. Finally, Sara gave me an ultimatum to go see the doctor.
I scheduled an appointment and went yesterday. They took two X-Rays and the Physician's Assistant is who saw me. From the X-Rays, you can tell that the ball of the hip joint still did not grow back right. It was right after it was fixed in 96', but as I was still growing and am 23 now; its not right. The PA told me its basically like putting a square peg in a round hole and expecting it to turn. Sure i can move it fine, but there are some directions it doesn't feel good to turn. I haven'tt been able to sit Indian Style since I was 8.
He thinks that my pain right now is due to the fact that my right leg is about 1/2" shorter than my left and its putting alot of stress on the hip. When I step, that lack of 1/2" is causing my hip to absorb alot more shock than it normally should. So he places some different thinkness planks under my right foot to see which one leveled me out. Amazingly, the 3/8" plank evened me out and felt better to stand on. You see my left leg carries most of my body weight when standing and when I worked retail, I could tell. So as of the moment, my treatment is to go have some 3/8" inserts (kinda like insoles) made for all of my right shoes. I plan on buying one for my running shoes, one for my work shoes and one for my tennis shoes.
Now for the bad news. He said that from looking at my x-rays and due to my age and the problem that I am having, I
WILL have to have a hip replacement in my lifetime. He said that if I thought I needed it now, he would send me to a specialist. But he doesnt think that I need it now. He said that when it gets to the point that you are in agony everyday from it, and your wuality of life is not good, that's when you need it. It was a big blow because he was basically telling me that it WILL happen , no ifs , ands, or buts about it.
This really sucks. I know its not like telling me that I'm going to die, but telling that I can expect a hip replacement is no walk in the park. Now I'm on two sides of the fence. If I get it done when I'm younger, I can bounce back alot easier and heal faster. BUT it may effect me yet. But if I wait until Im older and have to have it, then i risk longer recovery time, etc...
I know I dont want to have it now for sure and think I will wait until it's absolutley necessary. Sorry for the long rant, I'm just real stressed out over this news and had to let it out.