Hip to Be Healed: The Hip Preservation Center | Cincinnati Children's

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Elbie Foote, Had two surgeries: “If you sign up for a PAO, or you're considering doing a PAO, it will definitely affect everybody that you know for three to four months of your life. It is a long recovery. It is very painful, but I am 40, and I did both hips, and I’m doing great.”

PAO is short for periacetabular osteotomy – the procedure to repair hip dysplaysia.

Emma Markins, Diagnosed with hip dysplasia: “This is what’s going on: Your hip hurts because it doesn’t have coverage in it. Instead of the ball and socket being like this, it was kind of like that instead.”

The diagnosis temporarily sidelined Emma Markins from competitive dance and cross country.

But surgery at the Hip Preservation Center at Cincinnati Children’s cleared the way for her to get back to doing the things she loved. From her experience, she offers this advice.

Emma Markins: “If you have a multi-floored house, I would stay on the first floor for at least a few days. Because you’re still like on heavy narcotics. So, you have to be mindful of that, because you think you’re fine, and then you almost fall and you’re like, no, I’m not fine.”

Patrick Whitlock, MD, Co-Director, Hip Preservation Center: “PAO for symptomatic hip instability, or sometimes a reversal of the correct position of the socket in dysplasia is one of the best and most predictable solutions we have to hip dysplasia. So, it’s great at preserving the joint. It’s great at preventing the knee for hip arthroplasty or hip replacement. And it’s great at decreasing pain in patients who have, you know, a pretty solid diagnosis of hip dysplasia and hip instability.”

Dr. Whitlock and his team at the Hip Preservation Center at Cincinnati Children’s also treat adult patients.

Elbie Foote was 39 when hip dysplasia threatened her quality of life with her family. It was a difficult recovery, but her tips can help others preparing for the same procedure.

Elbie Foote: “For one, just get a recliner. Borrow one, beg for one, just get a recliner. Use your pain medications the way that the doctor says. And, you know, just in talking about your shower, when you get out you can’t really reach for the towel. There has to be some help for maybe 4 weeks, and then you can start doing things yourself.”

Gretchen Lemmert also relied on family and friends as she recuperated after surgeries to preserve both hips.

Gretchen Lemmert, Had two surgeries: “So having people come and hang out with me and play cards and play board games and watch movies and stuff and just keep me busy was super helpful.”

She is no longer a competitive gymnast, but the surgery made it possible for her to appreciate what she can do.

Gretchen Lemmert: “Even just walking around the zoo, I babysit so going to the park with the kids I babysit, I would never be able to do that if I didn’t get the surgery. Because I could barely walk, like 50 feet without having extreme pain and having to turn around and go back home.”

Rachel Breitenstein, APRN, Nurse Practitioner: “That’s our number one goal is to have a pain-free normal daily activity life. And everything else is a bonus.”

Rachel Breitenstein dedicates time for all of her patient families to make sure they know what to expect.

Rachel Breitenstein: “When they wake up from surgery, that’s when really the hard work begins. They are going to be in pain. I always tell patients you will be in pain. Your pain will never be a zero, but we work with the pain team here to help them get to a tolerable level of their pain for them to be able to complete the activities of daily living.”

Dr. Whitlock: “Ultimately, it’s really, they have to do the work. They have to do the exercises, the therapy, the strengthening, take their medication, wear their ted hoes and do all these other things while we’re taking care of other patients. And so they do 95 percent of the work is kind of what I always tell them.”

Breitenstein: “Moving around actually keeps you less stiff, keeps your muscles moving, it keeps the blood flow going, it decreases the risk of a complication like a blood clot. So, it’s very important to be out of bed, up on your crutches or your walker and moving around after surgery even though it might be painful.”

Elbie Foote: “It is definitely going to grow you in all areas of your life. You’re going to be challenged, but you know, you can do it. I did it. It is worth it. It is definitely worth it, and you’ll be better afterwards when you do it.”

Gretchen Lemmert: “Trust your doctors, trust your team, they know what they’re doing and that you’ll get through it. You’ll be super grateful that you did it, because I am.”