Pam, 59, full time PA to the CEO of a large engineering company, always enjoyed a full and active life until a problem started in her left hip in June 1992, when her hip suddenly gave way whilst walking on holiday.
Each day during the holiday I'd been swimming about half a mile, walking several miles to and from the beach, and walking again to restaurants in the evening, so I'd been pretty active. The sudden 'giving way' was a complete shock but I picked myself up, had a laugh about it, and carried on without giving it any more thought. Unfortunately though, the problem started from there.
I saw my doctor who organised painkillers followed by blood tests, X-rays, a scan, even a minor operation under general anaesthetic to administer a painkilling injection, but nothing could be found that was causing my pain. Although the injection gave me some respite, as soon as it wore off the pain continued and worsened. My doctor thought it must be the onset of arthritis and for several years I battled on thinking nothing could be done. Eventually though the pain, mainly in my groin, became so bad that I could hardly move, and my activities were sadly curtailed, although I refused to give up - I believe I do have a high pain threshold.
When finally, on a walk, I collapsed in pain and had to almost crawl to a point where my husband could pick me up in the car, I decided there really must be something that could be done to help me. I started again!
The X-rays showed nothing, and the specialist I saw could find nothing wrong. I explained that the pain seemed to be weight-bearing, and fortunately when I got off the examination couch my hip 'clicked' - something that it had started to do regularly, causing severe pain - so he actually witnessed what I'd been trying to explain to him.
I could see that he was surprised and puzzled, and he arranged for another MRI scan - this time I had dye injected into my hip. He told me he thought he could see what might be causing the problem, but added that the only person he personally knew who could help me was a surgeon in Cambridge. I would have gone to Timbuktu by this time and eagerly arranged an appointment in September 2000.
Mr Villar identified a condition which I can only describe as 'shallow sockets', probably something I was born with, and the pain was caused by the bones contacting each other. In January 2001 he performed an arthroscopy, removing some gristle and repaired a torn labrum, and for a few months I felt some measure of relief, no doubt from the painkilling substance that had been put into my hip during the operation. However by September 2002 it became obvious that I would need further surgery, and Richard Villar told me about the revolutionary Hip Resurfacing operation. I had the Cormet operation to my left hip in October 2001.
The day after my operation I stepped out of bed and all my pain had gone. It seemed to me to be a miracle! Of course I had the usual post-operative discomfort one would expect, but it was caused by having to cut through muscle and tissue, and was not the same as the pain I had experienced prior to my operation. By early Spring I had resumed my walking and sailing, and for several months I enjoyed a pain-free life. Unfortunately however the same problem was appearing in my right hip. When I went for a final post-op check for my left hip in November 2002 I voiced my fears and an X-ray confirmed them. I went onto a waiting list for a second operation which was performed at the end of October 2003, and I am now recovering from that. So now I have a matching pair!
First operation: 25 October 2001. I was out of bed the day after my operation and walking with two crutches. I was given an exercise regime to follow and I did this religiously - I think it was very important and I would stress to anyone having the operation that they must persevere with exercise, even if it is a little tedious. I tried to have a daily walk too - there's nothing like fresh air. At my six-weekly check up I was advised to swap my crutches for sticks. I increased my walking until by the second week in January I was walking
two miles quite easily and walking about the house unaided, so I discarded my sticks altogether. By this time I was able to walk up and downstairs unaided, and I drove my car after my six-weekly check.
Second operation: 31 October 2003. My recovery was even quicker, probably because I knew what to expect and didn't worry about each little twinge. I was out of bed the following day, and by day
two was walking with only one crutch. This surprised me, as after my first operation I had two, but I was able to manage very well. I was out of hospital on the 5th day after my operation. The wound healed very quickly, and at my six-weekly check up I was advised to discard my crutch in exchange for a stick - and to discard that as soon as I could. I drove my car the following day, and walked round town unaided as I 'threw away' my stick too. Soon I was walking a couple of miles, and was elated when, by the middle of January, I was able to don my proper hiking boots and do a 4½ mile walk. And I’m still improving every day.
I was delighted with my first operation and my return to a full active life has been curtailed only due to my having to have a second operation. I am optimistic that by the Spring I will be fully recovered, fit and raring to go.
Prior to my first operation, because nobody could find what was wrong with me, I began to doubt myself and wondered if it was 'all in my head'. I was embarrassed at work because I was finding it so difficult to do my normal duties. I didn't want to appear a hypochondriac so I tried to minimise how I
was feeling and went home most days
absolutely exhausted because everything was such an effort.
I tried osteopathy, homeopathy and reflexology which were of
no use to me at all although I did enjoy reflexology as it
was so relaxing
I can't begin to explain how wonderful it feels
to know that once I am fully recovered from my second operation I can resume a full and active life. My left hip is fantastic, and if my right hip proves to be as successful, which I'm confident it will, then nothing will stop me. I'm 60 in July, and I feel as if my life is starting again after so many years of pain. I have a lot to thank Richard Villar
and Corin for.
