Hip Dysplasia: Jena

Last year at 29 years old, I was diagnosed with severe bilateral hip dysplasia after living with hip pain since I was 15. When my orthopedic doctor referred me to UHMC, I did some research on other surgeons closer to home but ultimately chose Robert Wetzel, MD and Michael Salata, MD because I wanted the best possible chance at a pain free life. As an orthopedic nurse myself, I was looking for a team I could trust and looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I had both PAO with hip scope surgeries six months apart – one in June 2025 and the other in December 2025. From the very first appointment, every single person I encountered made me feel like I was their most important patient. The clinic staff, nurses, and doctors were consistently kind, patient, and supportive. Dr. Wetzel and Dr. Salata took the time to walk me through my scans, explain my options, and help me understand what would give me the best long term outcome. Their compassion and expertise were evident in every interaction, and I never felt rushed or overlooked. What surprised me most was how good I felt immediately after surgery. Recovery wasn’t nearly as difficult as I expected, and my pain was minimal. The constant pain I had lived with for over half of my life was gone.

Today, I’m back at work and able to care for my own patients completely pain free and without the limitations I lived with for so long. I am able to go hiking with my husband and dog and adventure with them again. Even though I live almost 4.5 hours away, I would make the same choice again a thousand times over. The results have been life changing, and I continue to recommend Dr. Wetzel, Dr. Salata, and the entire UHMC team to others who are searching for answers – even here in Indiana.

I can’t thank them enough for their skill, compassion, and the care they put into every step of my journey. They didn’t just fix my hips – they helped to make a huge difference in my quality of life, and I am grateful to have been in such capable hands.

– Jena