Patient Stories

Nancy

We are so pleased to introduce Nancy Muir. A hip dysplasia patient, ultra-marathon runner and a supporter of IHDI. She has set her sights on running a 100-mile race to raise awareness of hip dysplasia and support for IHDI. We are humbled by her advocacy and support. To learn more & support her efforts please visit: https://miles4hips.com/

I am a 35 year old pediatric physical therapist and post-graduate student living and working in Colorado.  I have completed 27 marathons and ultra marathons over the past 15 years and am on a mission to add four more races this year, including my first 100 mile race.  Although I have dreamed about attempting the 100 mile distance for over a decade, my hip dysplasia diagnoses put a damper on this pursuit.  For the past 4 years I have spent a great amount of time learning about this condition, networking with other people who have this diagnosis, undergoing multiple hip surgeries, and rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing!

My decision to return to running after these surgeries has not been taken lightly.  The verdict is out on whether or not dysplastic joints (even after reorientation surgery) belong in running, and there are  many patients with hip dysplasia and surgeons who would not agree with my decision to attempt this run.   But through my patient care and personal experiences I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go exactly as you plan, and I don’t want to live a life of fear and regret.  I feel incredibly blessed to be on this side of hip dysplasia.  I don’t know the fate of my hips or just how many miles they have left in them, but, for now they feel strong.  For many others, hip dysplasia means a life of progressive joint degeneration, pain, and disability, and not everyone with this diagnosis is able to fully return to the life and activities they enjoy.  And this doesn’t seem fair.

I want to make my quest to run 100 miles more than just a personal goal.  I want to use this journey as a mission to raise awareness about hip dysplasia and to support the International Hip Dysplasia Institute in their mission to promote education, research, and innovation.  I invite you to support me and this organization by joining in this effort.  Together, we can make great things happen!