Hello from a 25 year old dancer!

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shugaplum

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Hello everyone! Its so wonderful to stumble upon this forum. I'm a 25 year old female who has been dancing my entire life. I started having hip pain back in high school when I was 16...they don't tend to take teenagers overly serious so I was given the same tendonitis and advil response for years. I had problems as a dance major in college, then when I was working as a professional dancer after that. I could not continue dancing at that level because of the pain and I teach dance now fulltime and everyday is a challenge. I had surgery 18 months ago to remove 2 cysts that had formed in the joint and I also have been diagnosed with dysplasia-no wonder I was so flexible! I recently had 2 injections done within 2 months of each other-neither one worked. I am starting to use a cane more to get around and can barely get through my job. I had an MRI done a week ago and I am now in a place where both myself and my doctor are ready for a THR. I'm both terrified and elated. I cannot wait to have my life back. It feels like everything part of my day now revolves around this and I can't wait for the day that I wake up and my hip isn't the first thing on my mind.

Basically I'm looking for any advice for someone who is young and active. I know that I want to pursue a bigger ball for greater mobility and less chance of dislocation...I am also wondering how dangerous the ion risk is with metal. I want something that will last as long as it can due to my age and activity level. I do not plan on dancing professional again but i would like to think that I can dance again...Bebe Neuwirth did it!

Lastly-are there any other dancers on here? What is the recovery like? Have you had to adjust any of your technique to accomodate the hip and if so what?

Thank you all and nice to meet you!
 
Hey and Welcome.No you need this done get back to dancing.....Look around people with hips are doing great and back to normal even thing they didnt do before......We will all be here for ya. You seem like you quality of life has gone way done. This will make it better in time.Then you can dance again. Good Luck to you. I know you'll be back there soon enough....Post anytime we have all been thru it one way or another .......Good Luck to ya You have so much more dancing to do ...hehe...absolutly love the way you did that name.....:)
 
Thank you so much for your quick response. It is wonderful to have a positive place to come to and ask questions. I've fought this a long time and I'll keep on fighting the good fight! And it means a lot to me to hear that I'll be dancing again...
 
Hey Shuga! What a difference this surgery is going to make in your life! You may be discuss the type of prosthesis.....metal on metal may not be your best choice since you may want to have children one day and there are questions about ions. Welcome, Girl!!! Dance on!!!! (:)0)
 
Hi, Shuga. Welcome to the BoneSmart family. Don't worry...we'll take care of you throughout all of this!

Your attitude is fabulous and that makes a HUGE difference. You will be so amazed after your surgery. We have had several members in their 20's and their surgeries were completely successful. They were able to do all the activities (well, within reason....no bungee jumping) after recovery. Running is sometimes frowned upon, but I'm thinking you will be fine to dance.

I don't recall that we've had any professional dancers here. Is it more ballet or contemporary dance that you do? I'm just curious.

Oh, and we also have folks with dysplasia. It seems to be fairly common and the hip replacements certainly improve that situation also!

So I'd say you're ready for a life changing experience. Just let us know how we can help.
 
hey all!! I am actually a jazz dancer and involved in musical theater- I was in the touring production of Cats before I came home to teach. I spoke with my doctor today and metal on metal is definitely out. I definitely want to have a family down the road so now I'm weighing all my other options in terms of materials. I also got my surgery date-September 14th!! I can't believe how soon it is! I'm excited and terrified all at the same time.
 
Good idea to do some research....and to have serious talks with your surgeon. Just be sure that whatever you elect to do, that THIS surgeon is VERY experienced with the particular device you agree is best. The surgeon's skill is EVERYTHING and if he has not done that many surgeries with the particular prosthetic, do a little searching for a different surgeon. This is very important!
 
That's sooo normal to be excited and terrified!! We ALL were!! The countdown's begun,Shuga!!! :thmb: :wink:
 
Hi Shug--I lived in London in the early eighties when Cats was big. It was THE show for a year or so. Everyone who visited just wanted to see Cats. I think I saw it 6 or 7 times.
Anyway, best of luck to you on the hip. Since you are young, I would recommend that you consider resurfacing. I was not a good candidate, but you may be. However, now that I think of it, resurfacing uses MOM, I think, so maybe that does mean THR for you.
 
Cats is famous for 2 reasons-the show has been around FOREVER but also for the amount of injuries it causes. My hip isn't due to the show but it sure didn't help. We had a fractured back, ripped hamstring, and 2 knee surgeries while I was on the road.
I am very confident in my surgeon... he is at HSS and is known for his work with dancers. I feel very good with my choice.
And you're right TBone...the resurfacing is MOM so thats out of the picture. Otherwise I would have considered it.
Right now I just feel like I'm in a whirlwind trying to get everything in place!! I will keep everyone updated and will come here with all my questions!
 
Hi,

Have you had a second opinion froma surgeon who specialises in Dysplasia? I am 40 and am 14 weeks post op from a PAO to correct my dysplasia. I was originally told I needed a THR too, but luckily got a second opinion and due to my age and active lifestyle a PAO was recommended to save my own bone.It depends on how much cartilage is left in your joint to whether or not you would be a candidate, but I strongly recommend an opinion from an experianced PAO surgeon, if you haven't already had one.I already had cysts and cartilage delamination but still had enough remaining for it to be worthwhile saving the joint, and have spoken to several women even as old as 47 who have had PAOs for dysplasia.
Hope this helps
Kate
 
For those who are unfamiliar with this procedure, here is a link that gives an broken link removed: https://www.hipandknee.net/PAO.htm.

Since I know nothing about this procedure, I'm going to have to defer to our forum nurse, Josephine, for any comments. I'm glad this worked for you, though, Kate!
 
Hi Shugaplum,
And welcome.
It was so so nice to see your title,,Hello from a 25 year old dancer.:hehe:
And I congradutate you on being in Cats.Great great musical. I have seen Cats 2 times and enjoyed it greatly, both times.:thmb:
Now you must promise us,,once you get all healed up you will dance for us.:hehe:
I think you will find this forum very helpful and friendly.
I wish you the very best!

Oh and I also like your name,,,,,do you think my name would look a little nicer with shuga or plum on the end of it?

Shugaclunker Clunkerplum,,,,,,,,,
Nope,,it only works for you,lol
 
I really do congratulate,,not congradutate you on cats,,lol

Sorry about that!
 
Hi Shugaplum,

Welcome! I can COMPLETELY relate! I am 27 year old ex-dancer and pilates instructor and had my THR on 3/17/09. I just had my 5 month anniversary! I'm very glad I decided to go through with this. Looking back, the recovery was not bad at all. It does take some time to start feeling normal and better, so you have to hang in there.

I too want a family and have kids one day and didn't want to risk whether or not there is a risk with metal on metal ions. I went with ceramic on ceramic -which has a very long lifetime.

As far as dancing professionally -I too was a dance major in college (along with a Communications major). I taught dance for years as well. I definitely can get back into teaching dance, but I don't think I would audition and really dance so much professionally again -just here and there for recreation.

I have gone back to pilates, and the gym -and am loving it.

Feel free to private message to talk about anything else. I have found this board SO HELPFUL when I was researching, set a date, and getting through the recovery. Whenever you have a question, just post. We are all here for you.

Congrats on setting a surgery date :)

My blog is below my signature -take a look. Although I have not updated it recently at all.

Good luck!
Melissa :)
 
noooo! Don't pm! We need the info on here!

Shuga, hello. You have had a couple of really good alternatives suggested there. For your age, I would strongly recommend them. You're going to need revisions in the future for sure and the less drastic options you can undergo the better. Can't lose anything by getting extra opinions.
 
Melissa, I'm so glad you came online. I was hoping you'd be available to talk to Shuga.....you are the PERFECT person to relate to her situation!!!
 
I am so overwhelmed by how many people have responded to me...YoungM its so reassuring to see someone similar to myself! What kind of dance limitations exist for you? I'm having a larger ball put in to try to maintain some range of motion but am curious. Have heard stories of dancers adjusting turnout while in specific poses such as arabesque or having difficulties in a deep lunge. Meanwhile others go back to doing yoga, etc. with no problems. I am continually amazed by what they can do to fix the human body!

I actually did look into the PAO and my operating surgeon was the one who suggested that we first rule it out before going any further. Unfortunately I do not have enough good cartilage for the procedure to be successful so its been ruled out.

The THR was not an easy choice to make but I've been in and out of orthopedists offices for 10 years...My current surgeon I chose over the one who did my last surgery and I feel very confident with him. He has discussed all my options with me and has made sure that this is in fact the best choice for me.

Again thank you all for your support...any other advice or questions you want to ask me or feel that I should be asking please let me know!
 
Shuga,

I actually stopped dancing a few years ago so I'm not sure what limitations would exist. What surgeon and hospital are you going to?

It was not an easy choice for me either, but I can tell you I am VERY happy I made it.

Melissa
 
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