Going the Extra Mile for Hip Dysplasia

Our Stories – PAO Stories

Alexa

Alexa is a long-time supporter and contributor to Miles4Hips. As a running coach and massage therapist, she has created many patient resources related to rehabilitation and return-to-running. Alexa is also a Miles4Hips Champion and has created advocacy and awareness, as well as additional fundraising for the IHDI.

Andrea

Andrea, an active adult diagnosed with hip dysplasia, shares a video story of her PAO surgeries and how she has overcome complications and challenges from them. Andrea shares advice and inspiration for other patients going through hip dysplasia.

Ashley

Miles4Hips board member Ashley shares her story of perseverance in the face of 24 hip surgeries, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, complications, infections, the loss of her hip and 1/3 of her proximal femur. She does not let this get in the way of her life and has found a love of adaptive sports including skiing and wheelchair racing.

Rylee

Rylee shares her story of being diagnosed with hip dysplasia and undergoing PAO surgery after a failed hip arthroscopy. She shares her dream that “I hope each and every person will fight to get answers and never give up.”

Cianna

Cianna, a teen hip dysplasia patient and dancer, shares her story of injury, diagnosis, and preparations for her first PAO surgery. Plus she caught her labral tear on video and shares it in her story – OUCH!!! We can’t wait to follow her return to dancing after surgery!!!

Claire

Claire is an athlete, musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapist, and hip dysplasia patient in the UK who is also a hip dysplasia advocate and valuable contributor to Miles4Hips.

Connie

Connie, an adult hip dysplasia patient, shares her journey through multiple hip surgeries, including arthroscopies and a PAO surgery, and how she came to accept having 2 hip replacements in her early 40s.

Emily

An adult hip patient shares her story about being treated in infancy for hip dysplasia, undergoing a PAO as a young adult, and the lessons she has learned through her experiences.

Emily and Annabelle

Emily and Annabelle’s family shares their story of how hip dysplasia has affected their lives across generations. They share how they have used their experience to effect change in screening practices in their pediatrician’s office. They hope their awareness efforts will prevent other families from dealing with complications from late diagnosis.

Erin

An adult hip dysplasia patient shares her poignant story about undergoing PAO and labral reconstruction surgeries and the many lessons as she returned to her roles as mother, wife, harpist, and grand adventurer.

Grace

Grace, a teenage hip dysplasia patient and avid dancer, shares how she has maintained positivity in light of her diagnosis and PAO surgeries

Hannah

Hannah, a teenage hip dysplasia patient and one of our Miles4Hips Champions, shares her story of multiple surgeries and how her journey has positively shaped her life.

Jackie

Jackie is a yoga instructor and future physical therapist.  She shares the story of her dysplasia diagnosis and PAO surgery.

Kaitlynn

Kaitlynn, an ortho/trauma nurse and dance/gymnastics teacher shares her experience of being diagnosed with hip dysplasia, undergoing a PAO at age 30 (at a children’s hospital!), and her optimism for returning to dance.

Kathryn

Kathryn, an avid softball player, shares her story of perseverance. Four surgeries in four years including three hip arthroscopies, and her recent PAO during the COVID pandemic.

Keely

Keely, a young adult hip dysplasia patient and mastermind behind the 2020 “Pass the Crutch” video shares her complicated journey to get a proper diagnosis and preparations for her future surgery.

Kelli

Kelli, a hip dysplasia patient, nurse, and yoga enthusiast, shares her life-long story of hip dysplasia, including being treated as a child, undergoing a PAO as a college student in 1994, and having a total hip replacement in 2013.

Laura

A musical theatre actor shares her story about being diagnosed with hip dysplasia, undergoing PAO surgery, and working towards her great comeback!

Lauren

Lauren shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity, starting as a tiny baby in the NICU, and continuing through childhood and teenage years filled with orthopedic surgeries. Lauren is in college and dreams of serving others by becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

Mariah

Mariah shares her story of growing up with pain and limited function due to hip dysplasia. She provides detailed accounts of her 9 (yes, 9!) hip surgeries and how she has overcome adversity.

Marie-Christine

Marie-Christine shares the story of her hip dysplasia journey, and the importance of learning to navigate the healthcare system and advocate for herself.

MaryBeth

An American aerial dancer shares her story about being diagnosed with hip dysplasia while living abroad and undergoing 2 PAO surgeries in Denmark.

Sara

Sara shares her multi-year journey of seeking answers for her chronic hip pain in hopes that her story and advocacy will help other patients receive earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Sydney

Sydney tells the story of her diagnosis, PAO surgery and recovery as a teen. She also shares her insights into how her journey has changed and inspired her. “I hope to inspire others to get through this no matter how hard it is because if you can get through this, you can get through almost anything!”

Meghan

Meghan shares her long journey to getting an accurate hip dysplasia diagnosis after the birth of her two boys. She recently underwent a PAO surgery and is hoping to be back to hiking and playing with her kids without pain!

Erin

Erin is a teenager and co-founder of Positive PAO who under went a PAO and labral repair in 2021. She is gearing up for her next round of surgeries later in 2022 and brings hope and support to others going through hip dysplasia surgery.

Alexa’s Story

Alexa tells the story of her quest for a diagnosis and PAO surgery. She also shares some great advice “I also stopped saying “I can’t” and added “yet” to the end of every statement that had to do with my abilities.”

Shannon

Shannon shares her story of returning to soccer after many challenges and 9 hip surgeries.

Kyle’s Story

Kyle’s hip dysplasia journey started over a decade ago, But now, in his mid 30s, he is recovering well from PAO surgery and is looking forward to many years of keeping up with his ice hockey playing son!

Jade

Jade is a theatre (operating room) nurse from Western Australia. She shares her hip dysplasia story of her diagnosis then PAO, THR and hip arthroscopy.

Cam

Cam’s journey to receiving a hip dysplasia diagnosis and, ultimately, PAO surgery, was riddled by accidents and injuries and pushing through pain. Cam shares his message to others to “fight for it with everything you’ve got. Look for the light in all the darkness.”

Allyiah

Allyiah shares her frustrating journey of misdiagnosis and feeling disregarded by the medical community. She shares the emotional impact of her journey to her hip dysplasia diagnosis, and provides a strong example of perseverance and self-advocacy that is commendable.

Nicole

Nicole shares how her hip dysplasia diagnosis was missed until adulthood. She underwent multiple surgeries and experienced complications, but has now returned to her work as a wedding photographer and is enjoying healthy, pain-free hips!