Hip arthroscopy for a 29 years old physiotherapist

Hi All!

I am writing because I need arthroscopic surgery on my left hip. I have diagnosed:

• Cartilage damage on the surface of the anterior-upper edge of the acetabulum roof 6 mm focal point IV degree damage with accompanying subchondral 4 mm geode.

• In the zone loaded on the surface of acetabulum of the 9mm , the outbreak of cartilage II / III degree.

• Longitudinal damage to the anterolateral upper part of the labrum adjacent to the cartilage damage zone described above on the edge of the acetabulum.

I am 29 years old, and the pains I have, have limited me from performing a normal life (for my age). I am a physiotherapist by profession, specialised in children. I worked mainly with children with autism and with psychomotor problems. Work in low positions, on the floor, on the bed provoked only more of my pains. As a consequence, I had to stop practising my profession, which was a very downhearted moment and decision for me. I consulted with physiotherapists specialised in orthopaedics and went to three orthopaedics for separate opinions for the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was damage to the acetabulum. At the moment I have two solutions - either arthroscopy or endoprosthesis in a dozen or so years. I am and have always been a very active person; I would not like to be a 30-year-old with the endoprosthesis. From the age of 5, I used to ride horses; I worked as a volunteer and it allowed me to train dressage. Since I have pain in my hip, I cannot ride because of my pains. For me living without horse riding and my profession, physiotherapy, is like living without the greatest passion, without the greatest joy. I cannot run or practice on an elliptical trainer; longer walks end with pain in the left hip, swimming is also prohibited. I've been on more than 50 physiotherapy sessions; unfortunately, nothing helps. I help myself alone as much as I can. Unfortunately, the acetabulum will not stick by itself or will not repair damaged cartilage. Due to the pain, I was on sick leave from December 2016 to June 2017 and then on rehabilitation leave until December 2017. Operation in a public hospital in Poland is scheduled for the 2023 year. I am a young person, and I did not want to wait indefinitely at home. So I decided to do a, and currently, I am doing a PhD in Health Psychology about the experiences of patients with COPD in palliative care. Since I can not help people physically, I want to help theoretically, and I hope that my research will improve the quality of life of patients in palliative care with COPD.

The operation I need will be made in Poznań (Poland) in a private hospital called Rehasport. The cost of the operation is 15890 PLN, plus 230 PLN for blood tests, 50 PLN for xray, 750 PLN for arthography (estimated 3957 euros). I will proceed with the surgery in May this year. The pains became unendurable this year. Because of the hip pain, I have changed my walking biomechanics and have recurrent injuries in my right knee and left foot. Two times I had a swollen knee and punctured. On average, once a week I have a problem with my right knee, and I cannot walk. I have pains in my left foot, exactly pain in the big toe, which enables me from walking.

Thank you for reading this message and spending time on it.