I need hip surgery

[PrincessJasmine08]

I am 20 years old and I have been doing ballet since I was 4. I take classes 5 nights a week and teach little kids 4 days a week. I am a member of a performing company that performs about 6 times a year. Lately, my hip started hurting. It was bugging me for awhile while I was dancing, but it got REALLY bad. So, I went to the doctor. My growth plate slid and I need a pin to put it back into place. I will no longer have full range of motion in my left leg and probably won't be able to get my leg higher than 90 degrees. I am devastated. Ballet is my life, and it is all being taken away from me. This is considered somewhat of an emergency situation and needs to be taken care of soon. I may never dance again. I don't know what to do with myself, I feel like I am losing a part of who I am.

 

[Pop Daddy]

hey, im sorry, this must be devastating. But your gonna find there is a lot more too you then being a dancer

 

[Tiggeroo]

i am so so sorry. I would get yourself to a major teaching hospital. Call around. Find an orthopedist who specializes in ballet dancers. There is a huge difference sometimes between the way they treat a patient and the way a dr treats a patient who is just looking at the short term situation. To alot of dr's that 90 degree movement would be great.
I have a son who is a runner. He had several injuries. In the beginning we saw a very good orthopedist but he didn't run, or understand the running mindset. His goal was healing, which of course was ours. But if you have something you love to do there are sometimes more then one way to get healing.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I would get a second opinion before making a sacrifice like that.

Good luck.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I agree that a second opinion is in order. Try to find someone who is skilled with ballet performers. I searched a lot to find someone for my hand surgeries so that I could continue to play piano. I'm glad I did the hunting for a top doctor. His skill was worth it.

 

[schlepsnort]

Get a second opinion. I had several opinions in regards to my hips which had disintergrated from aggressive RA and now I am the proud owner of two titanium steel hip replacements. Normal ROM (range of motion) and can do things without pain which is the biggest blessing of all!

Since your are in a 'sport' try to find an Ortho who deals with injuries related to your hobby. They will be able to offer more solutions that make sense and preserve your ability to dance.

Good luck and I'm jealous, I've always wanted to be able to do Ballet but my two left feet just get in the way!

 

[bellesnow]

I am soooo sorry to here about the surgery you will have to have and how it will be changing your life. Just try to take one day at a time and try to stay postive. I'm not great with words, but I just wanted to let you know that I hope you will one day find peace with the changes you are going through and that everything will be ok.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

This is probably going to sound stupid, but I hadn't considered getting a second opinion. I have never had a major medical issue before, and I guess it is just my nature to believe the doctor. My head is still kind of spinning after hearing this news. Finding the best surgeon and getting a secend opinion is overwhelming. I know I'm 20, but I need my mom!

 

[Tiggeroo]

i imagine your dr's diagnosis is correct. But the way he treats it may be different then a sports minded dr. Given your young age and great health there may be less conservative or mor risky treatments that another dr would try. Alot of insurances require the second oppinion for major surgery anyway.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. I kind of know what you are going throught(pain) at the age now of 42 I have had both hips done(not replaced, but they broke my socket and moved it over)My sergion is long gone(Moved to another country) but said that he could of done better after the second one.Thanks now, I will be in pain 24 7 with arthridus.
But I knew of a young girl that was a gymnastics teacher and need the same as you. Good luck and I will be thinking of you.

 

[Mermaid02]

Any good surgeon will have no problem with you wanting a second opinion. This is something that will cause major changes in your life and you want to be sure this is the right decision. Good luck.

And PopDaddy is right- you will find other things that you are good at if you can't dance the way you want to. And remember, you can still dance for yourself...

 

[charmin1976]

when I was younger, I can feel your pain. (You should see my feet at 50 from all the years in toe shoes! But I digress.)

I would call any major ballet company near you and see who they recommend as an orthopod for their dancers. The surgery may end up being the same, but the rehab could be totally different.

Case in point, DS#1 broke his elbow in three places and was told by the first orthopod that he would never be able to straighten his arm again (devastating news to a pitcher). Orthopod #2, who specialized in Sports Medicine and worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates, disagreed. With rehab and a modified surgical technique, DS's arm does straighten out and is not a millimeter shorter than the other one.

Find the doc that the pros use!
JMHO

Edie

 

[Fan2CSkr]

http://www.epoise.net/epoise_ddanceproj.htm
http://www.christhospitalcincinnati.com/perfarts.html

These websites may be helpful for info in your area. As others have posted it is essential for you to do some research and get second, third opinions.

 

[bananiem]

I had a plate with a pin and 4 screws put in my hip when I was 21. Sometimes the doctor gives the worst case scenario. I was told I "might" be on crutches for a year. I was on them less than 4 months after surgery. I was told I "might" not get my range of motion back. I did.
I would suggest taking someone with you to the doctor appointments. Just so you have a second set of ears to here what is said. Sometimes when we're upset we hear things a wrong.
I think your first set of business is to get a second opinion from a GOOD sports medicine surgeon. Try the Cleveland Clinic. If you can travel I have one at the Mayo Clinic and one at the University of Iowa I HIGHLY recommend.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for all the continuing suggestions and support. I'm just taking it all in right now.

 

[chell]

Looks like there is a ton of excellent advice here for you. I agree that you should get a second opinion and use someone who is well known and well used by people in the ballet community. Another doctor may have something more suited for your needs that won't hurt your dancing down the road.

 

[luvflorida]

I know you must be devastated to get such news. I have a daughter who dances and what you are going through right now is always in the back of my mind. She is always telling me that dance is her life and if she ever had to stop, she doesn't know what she would do.

She competes in hip hop, jazz, and lyrical/modern. She takes classes in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, acro, breakdancing, ballet, and pointe. I've seen what these girls go through. They are all in their mid-teens and all of them have had some kind of injury at one time or another. Their feet get blistered and bloodied from pointe. They've indured back, knee, leg, ankle, and hip injuries. Would any of them want to give it up? Absolutely not! They HAVE to dance.

Both ballet/pointe instructors have had injuries that required them to stop dancing, but they are enjoying the teaching and choreographing side to dance.

I wish I could say something to help make you feel better, but just know that there is always something you'll be able to do that's dance related. And, like others have said, get second and third opinions.

for what you are going through. I know it's hard to do right now, but try to think positive thoughts.

 

[Stitch1404]

This is probably going to sound stupid, but I hadn't considered getting a second opinion. I have never had a major medical issue before, and I guess it is just my nature to believe the doctor. My head is still kind of spinning after hearing this news. Finding the best surgeon and getting a secend opinion is overwhelming. I know I'm 20, but I need my mom!

Oh sweetie, of course you need your mom! I did ballet from age 4 to age 17. I know how it feels to have to give up ballet. For me, it was for a different reason, but it hurt just as badly. When you are involved in something to such an extreme level, it becomes a part of you and who you are. When that is potentially going to be taken away from you, that can be devastating. I am with everyone else, get that second opinion and see multiple doctors until you find one that seems to know how to help you and keep you dancing. Maybe talk to your teacher, he/she would probably have some suggestions. Good luck, keep us updated!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

It's good to hear from other dancers. Yes, I have the bloody calloused toes from dancing on pointe, and if it wasn't my hip it would probably be something else. I have been in physical therapy for a knee injury, sprained my ankle, broke a toe, etc. It is a very intense sport, but it is so worth it. I love dancing and I know it can still be a part of my life, but probably not as much so. That's what's hard to come to terms with.

 

[milkabum]

God bless, I hope you can dance again!
Those little kids need you!