MY FIRST APPT WITH DR. PIEHL

As my first appt with Dr. Piehl was fast approaching I had tried to do as much research on PAO sugery as I possibly could.

Within the time period between the appointments I had my CT scan and my MRI
my ct scan only confirmed my bi-lateral hip dysplasia not much more than that

My MRI was extremely painful with the injection (contrast) in the hip, as soon as they started to put the needle into my hip it started to spasm and felt like it needed to be popped so they had to stop so I could stand up and pop my hip after that it wasnt bad at all.

Then they wheeled me to the room where the MRI machine was
and they tied my legs together, explained the process to me gave me earplugs
and the MRI started it took about an hour from what I remember
really loud knocking and very confined space
wasnt too bad just annoying and uncomfortable.

I received my MRI report and cd the next day as I work at the hospital
where it was performed.
It was not a good idea to go pick up the report thats for sure
the report stated bi-lateral hip dysplasia yet again
then it also stated I have and anterior and posterior tear to my labrum
I was quite dissapointed and upset with these results but tried to keep my head up
as I am not a radiologist or Othopaedist and really dont know how to read in Dr. terms
so I tried to stay positive until my visit.

Well May 29th fastly approached
I got put in a patient room and they gave me these nifty blue shorts to wear
so Dr. Piehl could do another ROM test on me and watch me walk

after watching me walk doing ROM and taking a few more xrays
he explained to me that I do indeed have Bi lateral hip dysplasia
also have a completely torn labrum (hints the clicking and popping in my hint joint)
and that I also have what they call pincer impingement essentially my hip sockets are rotated backwards.
This was quite a hit to my emotions.

At this point we started discussing surgery and he stated I would need a PAO and labrum tear repair, he put my MRI up on the screen and explained everything to me, he let me know that the dysplasia is not the blunt of my problem but rather my rotated hip sockets allowing incorrect coverage to my hip joint.

We spend quite a bit of time reviewing my x-rays and pulled up my mothers as well to put them side by side which was neat since she goes to the same Dr. office as me

I decided that I cannot live with this pain for much longer as there is days that I cannot walk.
Dr. Piehl explained the PAO surgery in that they essentially go in and cut your bones in three places and realign the bones so that they correctly cover the hip socket.
and also while in there repair the labrum tear
he states the surgery will take around 5-7 hours
and that I will be in the hospital 5-7 days


Although there is days that I feel normal and sometimes question if I am making the right decision.
I know that I have made the right decision to go ahead with this surgery because over all my quality of life is very poor.
I am unable to go shopping,biking,hiking,work out, run, or any activity for that matter without my hip completely being so irritated I am in tears.

I scheduled my surgery for September 24, 2009
at Palmetto Health Richland Columbia SC ( I work here as well which im excited about!!!!!!)