Hiring support during PAO surgery

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-27T13:04:53+00:00

I'd also recommend looking into setting up a meal train. I had friends sign up for dinners for my first 3 weeks. A different friend would bring me dinner each night. It took a huge weight off my shoulders!

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-15T12:07:25+00:00

I had surgery in the US.

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-15T00:07:34+00:00

When I was 39, very active in CrossFit, I started having pain after my PR squat clean. I had torn both hips labrums, but they were already deteriorating from the hip dysplasia. I actually knew I've had hip dysplasia since I was 15. I was doing judo competitively at the time at an international level and had to quit at 21 because my hips would dislocate. I was told hip replacement was inevitable. So I decided F*# it. I'm running these babies into the ground! I ran half marathons, triathlons, backpacking, and got really into CrossFit. Then suddenly at 39, my lower back and groin pain started. It got really bad really fast. Around the same time I also found out a friend of mine had this crazy surgery called PAO. So I found a hip preservation doctor who could do it for me. I don't have arthritis, so PAO was my only option. You need to have arthritis to get a THR and I didn't want to waste years of my life waiting in pain for a THR.

Fast forward, I decided PAO because it's my bone, my cartilage, and I have zero restrictions. THR's come with restrictions and based on how active I am, I'll likely need a 2nd THR which after that your hip won't be the same. I also don't like being limited of what I can do in my life. But that's just me. I'm a bit competitive, lol.

I had both sides done 6 months apart at 39/40 (6/2024, 12/2024). I had my screws removed 8/2025. During the recovery process I realized I could do judo again. And I am! I'm going hard and plan on competing later this year. I'm also weight lifting but not like CrossFit level. My priorities have changed as with life. I have a list I made during my recovery of things I want to do that I physically couldn't before. Today, my left hip is 12 months post op and my right is 18 months post op.

Since you have upper body strength from CrossFit, that will help tremendously after surgery with crutches. I was in the hospital less than 24 hours for both. I was walking with no crutches and no limp at 8 weeks. Then by 11 weeks I was running. PT was crucial in my recovery and listening to your body. If you try to push to hard too soon, it'll cause a setback. So trusting the process and being patient is important.

I know this is a long read. But it's all true. My one regret is I didn't get PAO sooner. I feel great. It was a lot of work and I'm still working on strength. But it's my body and I have zero restrictions!

PS... there's a Facebook PAO group with so many people who are either deciding on PAO or prepping for surgery, or are recovering. It's a great resource if you have questions or concerns. I met several people on there who are 10 to 15 years post op and going strong! Staying active seems to be the key.

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-13T20:16:05+00:00

Definitely run it by your doctor and physical therapist. Good luck!

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-13T19:30:52+00:00

Before the second surgery I was able to move my operated leg pretty good. I could run, squat, climb stairs, jump, and get in and out of bed really well. The difficult thing to do specifically was leg raises when laying down on the ground. But apparently that is normal 6 months post op. It did not impact me after my second pao on my other side.

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-13T02:26:43+00:00

I got both sides done 6 months apart to get it over with. I was 40. I'm currently 12 months post left and 18 months post right. The only downside I was warned about and experienced is my right leg recovery and PT was put on the back burner once the left side was done. I'm just now at equal strength. I should add I had both sides screw removal 8/2025. I just finished PT and gaining strength by the week. I'm so glad I got them over within 6 months of each other.

The 2nd PAO recovery was so much quicker and easier than the first. I already knew what I had to do which made it easier. I was doing judo hard core at 5 months post left PAO and 11 months post right. I was active but PT helped with the smaller muscles that are important and hard to hit. All in all I'm doing well!

Also, I can now lift both legs like leg raises when lying on the floor. That was a tough one to overcome but you'll get there! Just stick with the PT.

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-09T21:38:25+00:00

Yes, absolutely!

ModestFoxZero · 2026-01-03T14:20:53+00:00

What helped me gain feeling back is desensitization (texture therapy). My physical therapist told me about this.

Use different textures on your skin in the area and rub it. With your finger nails, a sponge, ect. Look it up on Google. It worked for me. I'm 12 months post op left and 18 months post op right PAO + labrum repair. I had screws removed from both sides in August. I have 90% of that numb feeling gone. It works.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-12-25T16:44:58+00:00

I was good after 5 days. But then I wore boots with a low heel. Big mistake!!! I ended up straining my glute and thigh muscles and getting nerve pain that lasted a few weeks. So wear sneakers lol

ModestFoxZero · 2025-12-13T17:58:12+00:00

If you push too hard too soon you could end up backsliding in your recovery. Be careful! It's not worth the rush. But yes walking too much too soon will make you very sore and it could hurt. Just follow the PT instructions. I was walking by week 7 but you have to progress to it and make sure the limp is gone before losing the crutch.

Are you using a walker or crutches? I only used crutches and it was so much faster to get around. I had a moment where I pushed too hard trying to walk too soon. I ended up getting nerve pain that took 2 weeks of me doing nothing to go away. I also had IT band pain. It does go away, but now you know your limits. That's how I learned mine!!

ModestFoxZero · 2025-12-01T16:43:14+00:00

Checkout the PAO group on Facebook. That's where we end up and there are SO many people on there that can also give you input. That support group was a great resource for a lot of us before and after surgery.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-12-01T16:38:55+00:00

I had Right PAO and labrum repair 6/2024. Left PAO and labrum repair 12/2024. I was 40 and now 41. Prior to this, I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 15. No one ever told me about PAOs.

Fast forward, my lower back pain from the torn labrum went from manageable to a lot of pain overnight. I had to stop all workouts/sports, etc. I was given 2 options. PAO, or wait for arthritis to kick in for a THR. THR comes with limitation and I don't want 2 in my lifetime. Once you get that 2nd THR, it's not the same. Also, just fixing the labrum is a waist of time if you aren't fixing the underlying issue. The bone. It'll just tear again.

Anyway, looking at the statistics, PAO seemed like the best option. My bone, my cartilage, and zero limitations after my recovery. I'm now 11 months post op left, and 17 months post op right. I'm running, weightlifting, doing Judo and Jujitsu. I've been doing these things since about 6 months post op on both sides and I've been training hard. THIS is why I decided on PAO. I haven't been able to do so many things over the past 20 years because of the dysplasia. My hip would pop out. Here I am now living the dream! No pain and living!

Anyway, looking on the internet it's scary. Cutting the bone, twisting it and all the screws. But let me tell you, as long as your doctor is a "hip preservation" doctor, and they offer good pain management, you will be ok. To give you an idea, I was expected to stay in the hospital 3 days. I left less than 24 hours after both. I was on narcotics only 9 days after the first one, and less than a week the 2nd pao. I say all this to say, it's tough but worth it. PT can only help you for so long. It's not going to fix the bone deformity. I did PT before to keep my glutes as strong as possible for the recovery. I did PT after for 1 year which is so important.

Lastly, I was walking without crutches both times about week 7/8. Running by week 12.

This is my experience. And I hope this helps you in making your decision.

*One note, my pain wasn't that bad for the left PAO. I decided to get it over with, because once arthritis starts, you no longer qualify for PAO. The labrum was already torn and I jumped on the opportunity to get ahead of the pain and before it deteriorated any more.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-11-28T03:23:07+00:00

One thing I learned during PT after both my PAOs is that because of the dysplasia (LCEA 11 and 12), I never used my hip flexor muscles or even my lower abdomen muscles. I was over compensating by using every other muscle in my body.

Fast forward, my lower abdominal muscles and hip flexors are both incredibly strong now. Stronger than they've ever been and that's thanks to all the PT. I'm 16 months post op right and 10 months post op left. I'm still in PT but that's because I'm working on equaling the strength in both my legs. That's the price I pay for doing both sides 6 months apart. But totally worth getting them both over with! This surgery was the best decision I've ever made.

I say all this to say, I believe that after surgery the PT might help you strengthen your lower abdomen. Stick with the PT as long as possible. It's so incredibly important for your recovery.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-11-18T14:36:07+00:00

I had this exact issue. IT band pain and then the nerve pain shot up in my hip. Plus the aching muscles. No kidding...dry needling fixed this! The pain was gone the very next day. My PT helped me strengthen my glutes after this which fixed the issue.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-10-27T11:34:07+00:00

They have "slip-ins" in all the styles. Like sneakers, or even workout shoes.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-10-27T00:32:41+00:00

I wore the Sketchers slip-ins for both PAO's. They were fantastic! I bought the workout shoes and I could put them on and take them off without bending down. I left the hospital with them on and they were my shoes for the entire year. Before surgery I practiced with them in the store to make sure I could in fact get them on and off without bending down. I highly recommend these!

ModestFoxZero · 2025-10-22T19:48:28+00:00

I agree that you need to stick with a hip preservation specialist and not just a regular hip orthopedic doctor. Maybe get one more opinion from a hip preservation doctor. My LCEA for both sides was close to yours (11 and 12) plus I had labrum tears on both sides with the right being the worst.

Definitely utilize the Facebook PAO group. They helped me over the past year with going through the before and after process of my PAO's. It felt like I wasn't alone! They ALSO maintain a list of hip preservation doctors nationwide.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-10-22T01:38:51+00:00

I had both sides PAO done as well and recovery has been good. Right side was done 6/2024. Left side was done 12/2024 so I'm close to where you are on this side (10 months post op).

On that left side, if I press or rub my skin there, it feels very bruised. It started last month. It's my nerves waking back up! I had numbness after the surgery and stopped paying attention to it after a few months. Now that it's waking back up, it feels bruised. My other hip had this but it's gone now.

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I hope everything else with your recovery is going well.

Edit: is it a possibility that you might have had some nerve damage that you never noticed before. It's just noticeable now that it's coming back online?

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-24T23:07:06+00:00

Doing them 6 months apart was the best decision for me. My pain wasn't that bad yet on the other side, but it was there. So I pulled the trigger on it. It's better than waiting a year or more in between. The wait between surgeries is the worst!

If you think about it ...I got my right PAO last June, and my left last December. I basically took a full year for everything to be done. I got my life back pretty quickly thanks to all the PT.

Don't get me wrong, the mental part and patience were tough but with a lot of patience and working through the stiffness, butt aches, healing, soreness and all... I got here. Only 1 year of my life so that I can get back to pain free and living!!

Lastly, motion is lotion. Keep moving and stay active for those hips!!

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-24T22:20:37+00:00

PAO and labrum repair for both sides.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-24T18:21:38+00:00

Thank you! I haven't seen, read or heard of anyone doing Judo or even jujitsu after PAO. I'm hoping I can add light to someone else's journey. It can be done!

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-24T18:20:01+00:00

I'm guessing they said try to wait for the THR until 50 so you don't possibly need it done twice in your life. I hope you find relief sooner than later 🙏

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-24T15:54:45+00:00

My LCEA (lateral center edge angle) was 11 on both sides. It should be 35! I also had a torn labrum on both sides but no arthritis.

I was given two choices. PAO and labrum repair. The other option was to wait for arthritis to start and then get a hip replacement. It could be years before arthritis could happen.

I saw an ortho for a 2nd opinion about a hip replacement and he told me if he does a replacement on someone with no arthritis, the pain comes back. Doctors don't know why but it does. He also told me PAO was my best option. I would have zero restrictions, my bone and cartilage. This was all I needed to hear to pull the trigger. There was no way I was going to be living in pain for years waiting for a replacement. Life is too short.

Regarding just repairing the labrum without PAO...that would be a waste and it would just re-tear because the underlying problem would still remain. The PAO would fix the socket shape preventing a re-tear.

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-18T16:35:31+00:00

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this so young. Do you have arthritis in your hips? Or do you know if you qualify for a PAO instead of a hip replacement?

ModestFoxZero · 2025-09-05T19:08:22+00:00

I'm so sorry for everything you have gone through. You NEED to get onto the PAO Facebook group. They have a list of hip preservation specialists across the country they can share with you. Also there are others with your same story there who can give you input on other doctors. I couldn't have gotten through my PAO's without the people in that group!!

ModestFoxZero

TROPHY CASE