Sharon’s story: Advocating for hip dysplasia awareness

L-R: Dr Natalie Hyde, Sharon and Melissa Formosa

Growing up, Sharon had no idea that she had hip dysplasia. She was an active child involved in sports, dancing and athletics, and later took up volleyball and running. However, in her forties, she began to experience lingering injuries and pain. At 50, she received an unexpected diagnosis of bilateral hip dysplasia, a condition she likely had from birth. Her hips were wearing out prematurely, and her symptoms were set to worsen over time.

Challenges: A daily struggle

The diagnosis marked the beginning of a difficult journey for Sharon. As her mobility decreased, her pain increased. She tried steroid injections and medications but struggled to find relief. Everyday activities became challenging, forcing her to give up many physical pursuits. There were nights when the pain was so overwhelming that she slept on the floor.

Surgery and rehabilitation

When Sharon lost her ability to move freely, she opted for hip replacement surgery. The operation was successful, but rehabilitation was long and challenging. Fifteen months post-surgery, Sharon is now in a much happier place. She has resumed many activities, reclaiming her ability to sit, stand, walk, hop, jump and dance. She is very active with strength training, boxing, Pilates and recently joined a masters calisthenics team. Regular visits to health and exercise professionals supports her journey, and she is largely pain-free.   

Becoming an advocate

Sharon discovered VicHip through a video on LinkedIn and was excited to learn about our hip dysplasia study. Inspired by our research efforts, she reached out to share her unique perspective as someone who didn’t benefit from early intervention or a timely diagnosis in childhood. Sharon is a passionate advocate for ongoing research and investment in VicHip and celebrates Victoria's leadership in supporting medical research.

Shaping the future together

As a member of the VicHip Consumer Advisory Group, Sharon brings invaluable insights from her lived experience with untreated hip dysplasia and hip replacement. The group plays a vital role in shaping our research focus and advocating for the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for better outcomes.  

You can Join Sharon and become a volunteer with VicHip. Together, we can strengthen patient voices in hip dysplasia research and help create a future of healthier hips.

Learn more: become a consumer advisor

Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your story.

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