I drove down to Melbourne today to have a consultation with John O'Donnell. John is "the man" when it comes to hips. I have discovered he has been performing hip arthroscopy since 1990 and is one of the most experienced hip arthroscopy surgeons in the world having done over 5000 of them. This certainly put me at ease.
John is a very easy-going bloke and has a terrific personable way about him. Many specialists have an "air" about them and seem to look down their nose at you but John was far from it.
He looked at my scans, including my MRI, and pointed out what everyone had been telling me was wrong with my hips. John was in no doubt he could correct my problems and get me enjoying an active lifestyle without pain. He explained the surgery in layman's terms and told me he'd expect I'd be on my feet the day after the procedures but probably using crutches.
Even though I have always had more pain in my left hip, John was sure my right side had more damage and wanted to go in there first. I went with the left side. But as it is I'm having both hips done one week apart.
The most daunting part about that is not the surgery itself. That sort of thing has never bothered me. The great unknown is the rehab and recovery and getting a good result. That's what has me nervous. This has been a long road and I don't want to be doing it for nothing.
Anyhoo, I'm booked in at St Vincent's & Mercy Private Hospital for April 22 (left) and April 29 (right). I could have had it done when my private insurance cover ticked over on February 17 but I'll wait until after the last week of the BCA cricket Grand Final and during the school holidays. Hopefully we make it and win back to back. Then they can do what they like with my hips. Most folks think I'm a bloody idiot playing with these bad hips as it is.
Bring it!!
