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Julie and daughter Taylor
My story begins in 1998. At the age of 32 I was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia. Because I was a breech baby at birth the doctors at home had told me that this was probably the reason why I was having problems. I was having the most pain in my left hip. I first went to see Dr Ray Emerson at the Mason City Clinic in Mason City, Iowa. He took a hip xray and diagnosed me from that. I am an RN and was working at the hospital so being on my feet all day was somewhat of a task at times. He suggested to me that a cortisone shot may help alleviate some of the pain along with an anti-inflammatory. So I took him up on his advice and took the cortisone shot. After about a week the shot wore off and it was back to the pain again. The pain was not yet unbearable at this point and nothing that the anti-inflammatory medication couldn’t control. I continued to work as an RN and was on my feet many hours a day.
In 1999 I was referred to Dr Robert Trousdale at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is a hip/knee replacement specialist and also specialized in adult hip dysplasia. He took xrays again and did confirm the diagnosis of bilateral hip dysplasia and explained to me that he could do some sort of surgery to help prolong the use of my own hip. I was reluctant to have any sort of surgery as working in a hospital and being a nurse sometimes knowledge is dangerous!! I was the caretaker not the patient!!! I opted for another cortisone shot and the anti-inflammatory meds. I guess I thought things would get better not worse!! Well things never did get better they only got worse.
Each year seemed to prove that the pain was worse then the year before. I am now age 45 and walking was almost a chore in itself. I was not able to walk my dog anymore because it was to painful. Work became a chore also. I now work as an RN in a very busy oral surgery office so being on my feet from 8-5 was a daily affair. My family kept trying to encourage me to just go back to Rochester and see the dr and have some sort of surgery done. Well at this point I now knew that my only option would be a total hip replacement. I knew that my hip had deteriorated to the point that there was no repairing it now! When I walked I could feel the bone on bone in my left hip. I just kept putting it off for so many years. While mowing the yard this fall I was limping around the yard. My husband came out and could see that I was having difficulty mowing because of my painful hip and took over the mowing for me. My hip hurt so bad at this point that walking was a chore and not something fun to do. It was at this point that I finally decided that enough is enough. At my lunch break that Monday I called Dr Trousdales appointment secretary and finally got myself another consult. The upcoming consult was scheduled for October 20, 2011. That day was only a week off but seemed that it would never get here!!
I went to my consult with my husband and was informed by Dr Trousdale that my options were more anti-inflammatories or hip replacement surgery. I knew at this point that surgery was my only option. Dr Trousdale went over my xray with me and informed me that the head of my femur was full of arthritic nodules and that the cartilage was pretty much gone. There was only a small amount of cartilage left on the back side of the head of the femur (also called the acetabulem). Dr Trousdale was very upbeat and told me that my surgery would only take him about 45 minutes!! Dr Trousdales PA Peter came in to schedule my surgery. He asked me when I wanted to come back for the surgery. I told him that tomorrow was not soon enough. He replied that the doctors schedule was full but that he would check. (I had even brought my things in case the next day was an option!!) To no avail the schedule was full so my next choice was October 31. Halloween!! I thought that I could wait that long, as it was only 11 more days. Let me tell you it seemd like an eternity before those 11 days finally passed!!
October 31st finally arrived. My surgery day. My husband and I arrived at Rochester Methodist hospital and checked in by 8am. We proceeded to the surgical check in area and were greeted by a friendly nurse that directed us to a room where we would wait until they came to get me for surgery. As the time got closer I certainly got more anxious. After all I was a caretaker not a patient! (I even think someone once told me that nurses make the worst patients!!!)
Next a young man came in and started an IV in my right hand. Starting IV’s every day at work I was certainly hopeful that he got it in on the first try! He did and I was relieved. I had to remember that I was at Rochester Methodist…home of the best right!?! Shortly after that the surgical aid came with the cart to take me to surgery. I kept thinking that theres gonna be pain afterwards but this time the pain will go away. I was finally relieved to know that soon I would be pain free. What would that be like?? After 15 years of pain I was ready for some relief. I knew that there would be some incisional pain but that that pain would eventually be gone.
Once I arrived in the surgical holding area my anesthesiologist was very positive and upbeat! He knew that I was nervous and I told him that I did NOT want to be asleep for the surgery. Honestly one of my biggest fears was being intubated for surgery…I opted for the spinal so I would be awake through the surgery. That did not bother me at all! There was also less chance of getting sick from the anesthdesia. They would give me some good relaxing drugs once in the OR. For my pain management afterwards another doctor had placed a seperate catheter that medications would be given to me after the surgery to control the pain. My surgery was over in what seemed like only a few minutes! I spent the next couple of hours in the recovery room before going back to my room. There I was greeted by my parents, brother and husband. They to were all relieved to know that my surgery was done.
My stay at Methodist was nothing short of wonderful!! The staff there were all outstanding as were the residents that were with Dr Trousdale. My surgery was performed on Monday and I went home that Wednesday. The night of surgery the nurse had me standing on my new hip at the bedside. The next day I was walking with a walker down the hall with my goal to get a little further then the last!
My recovery at home was quite simple. I went from the walker to crutches for a coulple of days, then the cane for 5 days but only when we left the house. 2 weeks after my surgery I joined the YMCA here in Mason City. I started out slow and would walk a few laps and also ride the recumbant bike. I was my own physical therapist!! I knew my limits and would push myself to do a little more each week. It has now been 4 months post op and I feel so much better. I cannot begin to tell you how good I feel. It is so nice to be able to walk without pain again. My dog will appreciate it when she and I can go for walks when the weather warms up!! I continue to go to the Y at least 5-6 days a week. I have to say that I truly enjoy it and feel much better once my workout is done. Dr Trousdale and his staff have given me my life back again and I am so thankful for what they have done. Not to mention the awesome care that I got from the staff at Methodist hospital. I do know that if I need to have surgery on my other hip I will not wait as long as I did this time!
Written By: Julie Olson
Did you have a replacement or resurfacing?
I had a total hip replacement and it was a breeze!! So glad I had it done and especially at Rochester.
I have been searching online for any helpful answers on hip replacement for my husband. He is 45 and has been dealing with this awful pain for many years as well!! He started with the glucosamine, then the Aleve. Just 2 months ago he tried the cortisone shot in the hip. It was like a miracle for the 1st month and a half!! Then ….it wore off and now he needs to wait until the middle of April to get another one. The pain, like with you, is soooo bad. He can not do many of the things he wants and loves to do and he has a very hard time at work. He is in constant pain and I feel very badly for him. Were you afraid to have this kind of surgery so young? That is all we keep hearing….you are very young, we should try to prolong the surgery as long as possibe…..my question is what if you can’t take it anymore?
Thanks for your story and any info. ~Sherri
I was scared to have the surgery. However now that it is done I am soooo much happier and can finally function normally again!!! I feel his pain. Tell him to take the bull by the horns and make an appointment in the orthopedic department at Mayo Clinic with Dr Trousdale. I guarantee he will NOT regret his choice. They are the best!!
My husband also had hip replacement surgury. Dr. Trousdale did a wonderful job. We were a little nervous about it because my husband has another serious condition which needed a consult before surgury. I am so glad Mayo has so many diversified specialties all within the same building as we were able to get the recommendations needed in a timely manner to inable him to have the surgury. My husband is so glad he took the risk to have it done. He has no pain in that hip.
Dr Trousdale and his staff are truly awesome!! They have given me my life back and I can walk and do things pain free again. I am soooooo happy with the way thins have progressed during my recovery and I have NO regrets about having it done. I am totally convinced that Mayo was the place to go. The staff there are so first class adn knowledgeable. I couldn’t be any happier with my outcome!!
Julie,
I laughed as I read your article. You reminded me of myself. I also was so scared of letting my old hip go, until the pain had became constant.
I saw Dr. Trousdale in 1994 for the first consult, and must have called back several times with lists of questions. He was so patient to answer all of my concerns. Finally, I could not sleep due to the constant pain.
When I finally said ” Let’s do it now” , I had to wait about a month and had my hip replacement in June 1994.
Like you, I had resolved that I would have to endure 3-5 days of post-op pain. To my surprise, I had NONE! My experience could not have gone any better, and I will not worry about any future surgeries. I was so glad that I sought Dr. Trousdale’s help. I felt the same as you, Dr. Trousdale gave me my life back. I am so thankful to him and Mayo Clinic.
Now, in 2012 I am needing to have the plastics changed due to wear. But, that is good for 16 years, when I was originally told to expect 10 hrs. My advice is to continue your exercise and keep up your follow-up appointments. GOOD LUCK!
Delores Brown
It has been almost a year now and I am feeling great! Able to mow my lawn and walk the dog without any problems. It is so great to be pain free
The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is a five-star medical facility in my book. Out of all of the specialty clinics, and hospitals that I’ve been to in my childhood, and adult years. None of them, and I mean none of them match up to the quality of care that the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota gives to their patients.
I was there in March for severe hip dysplasia in my left hip along with a tear in one of my major hip muscles. I had been there before, for the hip dysplasia in my right hip, and it took Dr. Dan Berry, who is the best hip specialist who works with Dr. Trousdale, a whole year from when I first saw him in October of 1999 to October of 2000 to decide to do the hip replacement surgery. When I saw him in October of 2000. I cried happy tears when he looked at me, and said, “Can you stay longer?”
When I saw him in March. I was scared that he was going to send me back home after I had come halfway across the U.S. to see him. I saw Dr. Trousdale for a consult during my visit, and he agreed that a hip replacement surgery would be the best option for me. When he left the exam room to go consult with Dr. Berry. I began to pray to have the hip surgery done while I was there because my hip replacement that I had done in October of 2000 had held up really well in almost 12 years, and I was real happy with how it turned out. I knew that a hip replacement surgery would be the best choice for me the second time around. Waiting any longer to do the hip replacement surgery in the condition that I was in would be torture.
I cried tears of happiness when Dr. Berry came back into the room, and said, “OK Samantha. You win. We can do the surgery on Monday.” I actually cried later that night in the hotel room because I was so happy that I wasn’t going to be in pain anymore. I was admitted to Rochester Methodist on Monday March 12th on the day of the surgery, and discharged four days later.
When I had the hip replacement in October of 2000. I stayed at Rochester Methodist for a week, and then moved to the rehabilitation unit at St. Mary’s for two weeks before I was allowed to go back home. I loved the care that I got at Rochester Methodist both the first time, and this last time that I was there. This time I was able to have a hospital room all to myself. The first time I shared a hospital room with another female patient. It was OK, but it was hard at times for me to cope with.
It was wonderful having a hospital room all to myself. I had a great view outside of my window, and the room had been decorated to look more “homey” and “warm” rather than just tacky, sterile white walls, and yucky as most of the hospital patient rooms that I’ve been in, in my whole life, have.
I was able to sleep better compared to the first time that I had stayed there. Even though I had the constant stream of lab technicians, nurse’s aides, and my nurse coming into my room at all hours of the night to draw blood, and check on me. After the number of surgeries that I’ve had in hospitals. That was something that I had grown used to.
Since it’s now six months post-surgery. I’m doing great, and I’m happy that I’m pain free, and I don’t have to worry about my hips deteriorating on me anymore. I have two hip replacements, one on either side of my hip, and I’m back into my activities that I can enjoy doing again. I would heartily recommend going to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for anyone that has a complex medical problem that their primary care doctor has a hard time diagnosing.
I remember when I was getting the contrast dye injected into my hip for the MRI scan (which really proved to Dr. Berry that I needed the hip replacement surgery). I was making small talk with the MRI technician, and we were talking about how much I love the Mayo Clinic since I had been coming there, and how wonderful the two hospitals were as well as no other medical care facility matching up to the level of care that the Mayo Clinic gives its patients.
She says, “Yeah, when the Mayo brothers first started this clinic. Their philosophy was that they wanted the patients to have the best care possible.” Kudos to Dr. William, and Charles Mayo for starting the best clinic in the whole world, and changing the lives of the patients who go there. I can imagine that they’re probably smiling in their graves right now if they could see how much their clinics have touched the lives of so many patients all over the world.
Thanks so much for sharing that comment! We would love to post it as its own story. If you are interested, please email: socialmediacenter@mayo.edu and put “Sharing Mayo Clinic” in the subject. We would then be in contact with you, needing a signed consent form. Again, thanks for sharing your story!
My name in Lucia and I have bilateral hip dysplasia. I am 34 years old and I discovered I had this condition at the age of 22. Since my discovery of my condition until now I have mild pain when I exercise too much or participate in physical activities too much. So, for the last 12 years I have tolerated the pain. The pain has been really mild (not bad at all). Four months ago I had a auto accident and my pelvis and sacrum was broken. I am almost back to normal from the accident, but I have greater pain in my hips. Some days I have pain and some days I do not. Should I hold off on having the surgery like you did or in my particular case go ahead with the surgery? I am just wondering what do here.
Hi Jule, sorry for my long reply. I just wanted to share my story because I was so happy to hear about your story, and I was so happy about how my hip replacement surgery had turned out. I would’ve never gotten it done anywhere else but at the Mayo Clinic. I hope all is well with you now, and that you are pain-free in the hip that was causing you the pain, for good. It’s so wonderful to be pain-free after a hip replacement surgery (and enjoying the activities that you couldn’t do when you were having the hip pain) than not having the surgery, and having constant hip pain all of the time. It definitely makes living life harder that way.
I am glad that I could share my story and hopefully inspire those that are putting off their hip replacement surgery. This is truly the BEST decision I made. Living in constant pain for almost 15 years I am so glad I followed through with the surgery. Only you all can determine when you have finally had enough of being miserable. My breaking point was when I could no longer do the physical activities that I enjoyed. I was constantly in pain, not to mention that I was in pain daily at work since I was on my feet all day as well.
I not only had hop pain but lower back pain and the pain from my hip also radiated into my left knee. Since the sirgery this is completely gone!! I have a new life!!! I can go and do the things I enjoy without having to stop and rest all the time because my hip was hurting. My liver also thanks me for not taking all that motrin anymore as well!!! My advice to anyone is just to go for it and get it done. Dr Trousdale is awesome as well as all staff at Mayo and Methodist! I feel so fortunate to have this facility so close to me!!