Quinn, 33, has been a professional dancer for 20 years and is now dancing, choreographing and teaching her lifetime love in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. In her spare time Quinn enjoys cooking for friends, and making her home look like the “after” on Trading Spaces.
I’m used to being a very healthy person – I danced for hours every day, even riding my bicycle to and from each dance class/rehearsal. I was an avid juicer, and took daily supplements. It was about four years ago, while warming up for my show at Luxor, Las Vegas that I first started to notice restricted mobility. It quickly became evident that there was a huge difference in my stretch - of course, that was just the "conscious" beginning. Osteo-arthritis had decided to tap me on the hip and say “hello”.
After a couple years of dancing daily, it was time for surgery. Through much research, I found
Hip Resurfacing and Dr Thomas Gross. My left hip joint was in very bad condition. Dr Gross discussed the possibility of a total hip replacement because of the lack of adequate acetabular bone to properly hold the cup in place but I begged and pleaded because at my age and profession I did not want a conventional hip replacement of course. He said it was a 50/50 chance, and that it couldn't be determined until I was unconscious and in surgery. Thank God, and Dr Gross for being able to choose the
Resurfacing.
I had the left and the right hip resurfaced three months apart.
With my left hip I could only do 10% weight bearing for six to eight weeks, which was very challenging for me. My arms and right leg really got a workout and I had no problems. I taught class in between the two operations, and exercised daily. At six weeks after the first operation I axed the crutches. I had a definite limp that day so I called Lee Webb (Dr Gross' assistant) and she suggested some simple exercises for me to do, and within two sets of the exercises, the limp was gone.
With the right hip I was instructed to allow up to 60% weight bearing for four to six weeks. I thought that was a gift. Because I had both surgeries behind me now I felt I was ready to dance. I think I should have been more patient with the right hip, and not been in such a hurry to jump, leap, tap, and turn. The exercises are so important. The groin/psoas area right inside the quad has been the most difficult to strengthen, stretch and heal. I never expected that. A "battement attitude" to the front is a challenge.
I may not have been the best “patient” when I returned home, as I refused to accept any help with daily tasks. Normally I am very agile and I was determined to everything I could for myself. I used crutches, or hopped up/down stairs in my house. I did not use any reaching tools, or have assistance from my husband to prepare a meal or take a shower. I scrubbed the floor and even drove about one week after returning home. I performed the exercises given to me by Dr Gross daily, along with a few "dancer" extras. I loved the response from my muscles... they were like anxious children wanting more and more action.
I taught advanced tap at six weeks, and began teaching ballet and jazz at about eight weeks. I performed in Concert Fantasy at the Thomas & Mack Las Vegas at six months. I did high lifts with a partner, stag and split leaps, internally rotated "Fosse" walks, floorwork....
Both recoveries were superb. I soon felt great and had no pain.
As a "normal" person once again, I can do more than most people who have not undergone surgery! As a dancer, I can do just about anything in respect to strength, technique and style, although regaining my full stretch is taking a bit longer - my muscles seem to love to contract, but not stretch as far as I want them to. I am, however, being patient. I love to walk, run, bike, jump, do pilates, skip stairs, exercise, and dance.
Having the Hip Resurfacing surgery has allowed me to live my life 100% again.
