Kay Glynn fears end of track career: Faces total hip replacement
Kay is a vault specialist and joy to watch.
Kay wrote me a long note, which I’m sharing with her friends around the world:
I was thrilled to end last year with a peacefulness knowing that I’d had the best season of my life and my body felt stronger and healthier that it ever had! After taking off 2 weeks, I started to jog and felt an aching pain in my right butt/hip that just got worse.
After five months and five doctors, I was told Jan. 23 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, that I was born with hip dysplasia — a deformity (uncommon in humans) in the hips that consists of the ball not fitting tightly into the socket. It always results in arthritis.
(One vaulting friend told me that when horses used to be born with it, they’d just shoot ’em! Humor keeps us going!)
Well, my advanced arthritis has resulted in bone on bone and, as the fluid has leaked out, two cysts have formed, which doctors think finally resulted in my pain. Doctors didn’t see how I was doing what I was doing with an X-ray that “looked like that!” And, I was born with my left leg one-quarter inch shorter than my right! I asked the doctors if they could please just help me run without pain so I could vault. I told them I didn’t “need to run three miles a day. I just need to be able to run seven lefts!” They smiled with a silent answer.
Because of the dysplasia, they told me that a total hip replacement was my only option. I tried. No synvisc, no regeneration, no resurfacing, no arthroscopic—just total hip. I got a cortisone shot (using ultrasound) that day and came home to think and research.
The cortisone helped immensely, and I’m able to do physical therapy to strengthen my hip since I’d babied it five months, so I’m feeling stronger. Don’t know how long the cortisone will last and how long I can or want to continue with pain relievers.
That’s the worse part—I can’t plan my life—and I never like to get out of bed in the mornings without a Plan A, B and C!
Right now, I’m told to do “whatever doesn’t cause pain,” so crazy enough, I’m still enjoying tap dancing and doing some chosen acrobatics so I will continue to incorporate those in my motivational speaking.
From what I’m learning, sometime down the road THR (total hip replacement) people are allowed to do anything but are advised not to run or do contact sports. I realize that they CAN run, but it will be wearing on their new joints, and doctors say that there are extra concerns with people having dysplasia, too!
I appreciate all the advice and information that I have received from people who already know of my condition, and I welcome any information that anyone might have that might help in decisions my doctor and I will have to make—you can write me at kbglynn@hotmail.com.
When the time comes to make choices after surgery and back off the physical activity a bit to preserve my new hip, I can say that while I love everything involved in being a masters competitor, track is just my hobby, but dancing is my life.
Dancing is who I am. Right now I’m thinking that IF I ever compete in track and field again, you will definitely find me at the pole vault pit! I’m not selling my poles just yet! The best I can say about my future track plans is “uncertain.”
Never say never — and keep moving with a smile!
Kay added: “Doctors told me that former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has dysplasia and had a hip replacement in her mid 30s and she’s 44. It happens!”
This is awful news, but Kay is nothing if not positive. She will have a great life no matter what. But we’d miss her terribly — her long blond hair flowing — if she has to call it quits. She is one of a kind.
21 Responses
All best to Kay. I hope that viewers of this site will be able to offer some insights as to her prospects for resuming the pole vault in 2013. And what about doing the 80-meter hurdles again?
How about the long jump? A possibility?
So sorry Kay, but if there is a way to come back you will find it. We all love you!!
sorry to hear that…i’ve been battling arthritis in my knees for a quite a few years..my heart and spirit are in great shape, but wheels aren’t…hope there’s a silver lining somewhere for kay…!
Kay, I am so sorry. I wouldn’t give up just yet, though! I hope you can come through this. (cute video, I didn’t know you were a tap dancer as well)
While it would be hard to dispute the advice of the Mayo Clinic, I wouldn’t necessarily take their advice as the final word.
Some amazing stuff being done here in New York City on dancers and athletes.
Most doctors don’t understand the mindset of Masters Athletes and are quick to treat them as they would treat any older person.
Unless the Mayo people are credentialed in Sports Medicine, I’d at least get an opinion from a high-level Sports Medicine practitioner before proceeding.
I absolutely agree with Rob:
Get an opinion from a high-level Sports Medicine practitioner. I had major arthritis problems with my knee few years ago (confirmed by MRI), I really built up my muscles and now I am practically pain free. I am tempted to have MRI on my knee again just to see whether I have regenerated some cartilage or whether my muscles support my legs sufficiently so I don’t have much bone on bone contact.
It’s great to see how people on this board can be so seemingly well-balanced psychologically, when faced with the possible end of their T&F endeavo(u)rs.
I can only hope that I will fare as well when my time comes.
Good luck Kay! However it works out for you, I know that you will make the best of it and will always find new adventures. But I hope that we see you again — you make the hurdles fun!
Had a doc tell me I was done at 38 went to sports doc im 53 still here just had mri done some pain will miss rest of indoor but I will see you out door kay see sports doc first be for you do anything
I totally agree with everything Rob said! Wishing you the best of health Kay!
KAY,first want to wish the very best.what ever the outcome,we all need heros,if you do have this procedure ,please use this platform to help inspire others that you can lead active lifestyle,and stay healthy therafter,i would listen to a world record holder who can still throw the shot put on a world level after hip rp,hint hint ,be well miss you in kenosha kiddo,,,,
Kay – we cheer for the great successes that you have had already, and those in your future. Speedy recovery to you.
I realize that the Canadian health care system is quite different from the USA, with costs potentially prohibitive. Nevertheless, I agree with those above who recommend consulting someone specializing in sports medicine – NOT just sports med for the open age athlete, but for Masters athletes with a long, successful, world-record-breaking career.
Best wishes
Amy Barrow W50 ran an 18:38 5K – seven years after having both hips replaced.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15742
Kay: Having grown up in neighboring South Dakota and remember seeing you at the South Dakota Senior Games back in 2008 and also turning 59 this year, track and field would not be the same without you.
I would strongly encourage you to get in touch with Michael Janusey who should be turning 55 this year. Michael has turned in remarkable M50 ranking performances, including the #1 M50 Pentathlon for 2011. All with two (2!) hip transplants. If anyone has shown what an athletic body can accomplish with replacement hips, Michael is the man. Almost a bionic man. And for what it is worth, I find no competitive advantages what-so-ever in participating with artificial hips. On the contrary, hats off to Mr. Janusey for even attempting such a feat.
Thinking of you Kay and all your accomplishments. I’d bet money there are at least a few more significant ones in you. Take care.
Kay,
I am so sorry to hear whats going on with you. It has been so much fun competing against you the last 9 years that I’ve been out here. You will be missed and I hope you can come back. If anyone can, it would be you!
Jeanne Bowman
Sorry to hear about this. I had to stop training and competing a couple years ago because all the cartilage in my big toe joint vanished. Not happy about it and don’t enjoy the pain and limitations that go with it. Especially miss hurdling and sprinting and all my fellow hurdlers and jumpers. I can still high jump a little, though, and I’m plowing most of my energy into coaching now. Not the same, but it’s good. Wishing you the best. Maybe there will be some good solutions to this stuff someday.
Thanks, Ken, for allowing me to get a message to my fellow athletes. Even though you have an exciting new job, we know you’ll be here for us!
Thanks to all of you who have commented, emailed, and called with your concerns, ideas, and suggestions!
Two orthopedic drs. from the geriatric department at Mayo who reviewed my records declined to do any arthroscopic surgery (due to the dysplasia) and quickly referred me to the sports medicine department where I was told of my THR prognosis. When I called with questions, they began to refer to me as “the dancer!” NY Hospital for Special Surgeries also deals with dancers!
I will certainly consider everything that has been said before any operations. I will open a “hip issue” subject on the forum for others who might have questions/answers for us athletes who have limping hip issues!
hate to hear this…it sucks!
I had extensive knee surgery this past summer..Dr. said next time it’ll be knee replacement…he left a slight cushion and said good luck!!
Kay,
I have degenerative hip arthritis and am having a hip resurfacing by Dr. Su of HSS on April 9. He says that there’s no reason I cannot return to sprinting. I realize that your condition is not exactly the same – I only have regular old arthritis, but have you at least consulted with Dr. Su? If anyone can help you return to competition it would be him.
I had three orthopedists tell me I would never run again. There seems to be a pathological mistrust of resurfacing, but with the right, experienced doctor, it seems to be the best and only way to return to athletics, and I have faith in Dr. Su.
Best of luck to you.
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