A bit about me 

My journey began in a general practitioner’s office, where I sought help for persistent hip pain. The initial diagnosis pointed to a groin strain, but the symptoms didn’t quite fit, and the discomfort only grew more confusing over time. I endured the pain for another two weeks before my parents, concerned and determined, took me back to the GP.

That second visit turned out to be a turning point. This time, I was seen by a locum doctor who had recently completed a rotation in orthopaedics at the local hospital. He examined me carefully and formed a theory about what the diagnosis might be. However, the condition he suspected was rare and severe, and he was reluctant to share it prematurely. Instead, he asked for ten minutes to make a phone call.

When he returned, the atmosphere shifted. He advised my parents that he had arranged for me to be seen urgently by an orthopaedic surgeon. Without delay, my parents drove me to the local hospital. The experience was daunting—full of unknowns and quiet anxiety. Looking back, I see that moment as a huge milestone, the beginning of a journey I was completely unprepared for, but one that would shape me in unexpected ways.

My unique insight and experience

I underwent my first total hip replacement at the age of 15. It was the beginning of a long, complex journey marked by repeated complications. Over the years, I experienced persistent component failures that one surgeon couldn’t explain, and by the age of 24, I had undergone a total of five hip replacements. Along the way, I faced a two-stage revision to treat a severe bone infection in the hip, and I also endured the traumatic experience of a dislocated replacement.
Through all of this, I’ve learned that joint replacement surgery isn’t just physically demanding—it’s mentally and emotionally challenging, especially for younger patients. That’s why I want to offer insight into what it’s really like to prepare for surgery, face recovery, and navigate the months that follow. From the moment the procedure is booked, the journey begins—not only through medical appointments and rehabilitation, but through fear, uncertainty, and the slow building of resilience.
My goal is to help younger patients feel more knowledgeable and empowered. I want to share my advice and lived experience so that those facing hip replacement surgery know what to expect, and more importantly, feel seen. Younger patients deserve the same level of preparation, support, and understanding as older adults—and if my story can bridge that gap, then every challenge I’ve faced will carry new meaning.