Introduction- January 2, 2014

January 2, 2014

My name is Jennifer, I was born on December 23, 1974. I was born with hip dysplaysia. 

 Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition that is often recognized and treated in infancy. It is caused by an abnormal development of the hip joint. Normally, the hip socket or acetabulum develops its shape in response the head of the femur. If the head of the femur is positioned abnormally, the acetabulum can form with an angulated roof that slopes upward. This can lead to increased pressures on the cartilage of the hip as well as a persistent tendency for the femoral head to slide in and out of the hip with daily activitieshttp://www.hipandknee.net/PAO.htm

Throughout my life I have had quite a storied medical past and become a veteran of hospitals, doctors, and procedures. I had a hip procedure at the age of 5 months. As a result of that surgery I  was in a "body cast " for several months. The cast held my left leg in a position that was out to the side and braced with a bar. My mother had to cut diapers into four (4) pieces and do some pretty creative things to dress me and take care of me.

I developed ridiculously strong upper body strength as I learned to "scoot". Other children my age were crawling and later walking. I was pulling extra weight and becoming like a little "hulk". I was later told that I had quite a punch without even meaning to cause harm.  

To keep with the theme of the cast and to keep normalcy in my life my first Halloween costume was a lamb. It was things like this that made my issues just "bumps in the road". I think a doctor at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh presented my parents with this sentiment. "You can choose to treat her as a sick child OR you can choose to treat her as a child who just happens to be sick more than most". They chose the latter. It has proven to work quite well.

I was never a fast runner, I had horrible anxieties in gym class when it came time for any track and field activities, and wasn't EVER the first picked for any team. But I always enjoyed exercise, working out, was one of the first of my friends and classmates to join a "fitness center".  My symptoms of dysplaysia somewhat subsided, but if I  engaged in high impact activities I more than paid the price. I became a champion of fitness walking and  an early proponent of clean eating and nutrition.

This is the first entry of many that will chronicle a personal journey that will include a corrective surgery and my rehabilitation. I hope to share my experiences and perhaps help others who may be in my position and be considering a similar path.

~Drive Slow~

http://hipdysplasia.org/

http://www.hipandknee.net/PAO.htm

http://www.clohisyhipsurgeon.com/treatment-options/periacetabular-osteotomy-pao-for-acetabular-dysplasia