Debbie Roldan

Debbie Roldan's hip re-surfacing story. Surgery May 2, 2009

Everyone's story is unique and has the potential to inform and enlighten others. The moral of my personal story is always get a second and sometimes, third opinion and KNOW YOUR SURGEON!

I dislocated my right hip the FIRST time 10 years ago (age 32) rollerblading. It healed fine, I went on with my life.

In 2007, it dislocated AGAIN from a simple, clumsy trip over a bag while packing luggage. this time, it wasn't healing. I saw a hip specialist at the hospital for joint diseases in NYC and he was the chairman of the hip dept. and he said there wasn't enough data for a relatively young person who dislocated their hip TWICE in the same hip and he kind of sent me on my way. NEVER mentioned hip-surfacing; he just said I was too young for THR. Luckily, I asked my shoulder surgeon at HSS for a referral, which led me to the most brilliant doctor I have ever met Dr. Friedrich Boettner at HSS IN NYC! We consulted, calmly about options, he took his time explaining to me, in layman's terms what was happening and he didn't push surgery on me.

I was relieved to hear options, something the OTHER doctor didn't present! I decided to have the hip-resurfacing and for the first time in two years, I HAVE NO PAIN! I could not walk the day before the surgery. Even moments after the surgery, I felt no pain and have not felt pain since which is now, 7 weeks ago.
as of today, I no longer need the cane! I am upright, confident, walking with no pain, about to conquer my universe!