Laura Mahoney

Growing up in Vermont, I have always embraced being active. Being able to ski, hike, run, and mountain bike are joys that I will never again take for granted. In my early twenties I began to experience hip pain that would eventually wreak havoc on my life. Initially the discomfort was limited to aches and pains felt after running or hiking. Eventually, it became difficult to even walk a few blocks without being in severe pain. As the pain progressed from bad to worse, I sought out every possible solution with limited success.

After several difficult years of trying to find a facility and medical team that could give me answers, I was at the end of my rope. Five years of physical therapy, visits to numerous doctors with varying specialties, and several MRIs later, I was eventually given an accurate diagnosis at Hospital for Special Surgery's Center for Hip Preservation. I remember feeling anxious and excited sitting in the room waiting for Dr. Sink.

Meeting Dr. Sink and talking with him about his diagnosis and treatment plan was a true miracle. The meeting was everything I knew and hoped it would be. I understand how phenomenal the imaging department is at HSS. I understand how fantastic the radiologists are at HSS. I certainly understand how talented and experienced the surgeons are at HSS. With this knowledge I had the utmost confidence in Dr. Sink's diagnosis of hip dysplasia and his treatment plan of reconstructive surgery. Most people would cringe upon being told that the only answer to their pain was reconstructive hip surgery requiring months of recovery. It was one of the happiest days of my life. Dr. Sink was giving me back the gift of movement and along with it my active lifestyle.

Dr. Sink performed a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) on my left hip in the summer of 2012 and in the summer of 2013 my right hip underwent the same procedure. The care I received while at HSS was outstanding. The surgical team, nurses, physical therapists, and support staff were all caring and attentive. Since my surgeries I have gotten back to living the life I want to live, running, skiing, biking and hiking. My experience at HSS was inspiring and ultimately motivated me to switch professions from being a teacher to a nurse with the intention of working in orthopedic surgery. I am forever grateful for the treatment I received at HSS.