Post Op PAO

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I am curious how my experience post PAO compares to others...I don't know too many people who have had the same surgery. I have a few questions: 1. How long did it take to feel back to "normal" (pain, strength, mobility, range of motion), assuming "normal" was before hip pain became an issue? 2. How did the shape of your iliac crest, anterior superior iliac spine change visibly? 3. How did your scar heal? 4. How do you know if your screws were symptomatic? 5. How many of you have your screw removed? Thank you for your input and all the best to each of you going through DDH and PAO!

-- Margaret Miller (mm5z@yahoo.com), December 02, 2004

Answers

Hiya, I had my PAO at the end of april this year, I am still not back to "normal" due to some complications - still very much in pain, range of motion is good however I feel that it "crunches", "clicks" and "grinds" if I move my legs apart, or go to roll over in bed. I still cannot lie on the operated side. Strength and mobility is poor due to the complications I have at the moment. As for the shape - My hip bone is higher and more pronouced now compared to that of the other side which I havent had operated on yet. Still feels tender to touch, and uncomfortable to lay on my front due to the hip bone being more pronouced. My hip is wider also and the back of my pelvis feels boney somewhat more than the other side. As for my scar, That took some time to heal as it opened up after surgery. It's neat and tidy towards the top, but as it goes down towards my pubic bone it is rather messy. It looks as if someone is poking their finger into my tummy. My surgeon said he will make this neater after both sides have been operated on. I am due in hospital on 22nd of december to have the screws taken out as they have bent and subsequently broken. I had problems walking without my foot turning in and the pain and range of movement got progressively worse quite dramatically. If you would like any further advice then please email me at the below address. Hope you are well and recovery is good. I know the surgery is a lot to go through but well worth it in the end (so i've heard) ;) Merry crimbo!

-- Emma Jones (polobint@aol.com), December 05, 2004.

I don't have an answer..I am just starting to go through all of this myself. After having a very active life, I have had hip pain for 6-8 months. I am 28 years old and have just learned I need a PAO. My MD has not recommended a THR due to my age and activity level. I am also very very curious, extremely ANXIOUS about the whole thing. I am scared to death of being put to sleep and hurting etc. I am an RN and I guess sometimes too much knowledge is dangerous. If you are my age and have gone through this, I would also be really interested to know every detail from the moment you go to sleep till you wake up after surgery. For me the more I know what to expect, the better. Thanks

-- julie freeman (noxi76@hotmail.com), December 07, 2004.

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

-- CARLA MOORE (MOORE.CARLA@SBCGLOBAL.NET), January 07, 2005.

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