Ryan Foray

My name is Ryan Foray and I’m 29 years old bartender from Richmond, VA. I was born with hip dysplasia in my left socket and had multiple procedures as a toddler in order to fix it, as well as a procedure in middle school to help correct walking. I knew that a total hip replacement would be down the road, but I never knew exactly when.

I was always an active individual, playing soccer and basketball growing up as a kid, as well as Volleyball and Swimming in high school. I always knew I had somewhat of a limitation based on pain tolerance as well as my hip joint not being 100%. I met with Dr. William Jiranek and his VCU Health Medical team in my mid 20’s to look at the current situation I had and what my options were.

I was always stubborn and tried to push off the pain tolerance through most of my life with the help of Voltaren as prescribed by doctors. I stayed active in college and began to lift weights and even started to run 10ks. It wasn’t until one 10K race that I felt like my leg give out of me. It created self-doubt and made me believe I would never be able to do things that most normal individuals could do.

I was in a depressive state while trying to stay active and keep weight off but would always be discouraged with my situation. I was scared to have surgery. It would be a huge change and I didn’t know how long recovery would be. I didn’t know if I could financially be able to deal with it. However, with the support of my family and close ones, I finally decided in 2015 that it was time to take the leap and have a total left hip replacement through VCU Medical. I’m well over two years since my surgery and I can honestly say I’m in the best shape of my life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

My treatment and recovery

I had my procedure in September of 2015. I remember being without medication for a week and being in total pain. When I woke up, I didn’t feel a thing. It was a total night and day on how I had felt for so many years. Even with the anesthesia, it makes you pretty emotional. I was in the hospital from Wednesday morning until Friday Afternoon. Within 24 hours of my surgery, I was able to walk with a walker and climb stairs. When I got home, it became “go time”! I met with a physical therapist once a week to learn various exercises and stretches. By weeks after my surgery, I was able to walk with a cane. By week 4, I was walking and able to drive again. By Week 5, I was back at work! I pursued my goals by following directions, staying active, and not overdoing it so quickly. I had a small gym near my house that I was already a member of that I used to slowly get back into shape. A complete night and day when it comes to pain. There are times I even forget that I had surgery.

I ran the 2016 Monument 10K in Richmond 6 months after surgery and the first one after surgery. I switched gyms with more equipment and now have more goals with no limitations. I was able to enjoy things such as lifting weights and able to run and jump without any sort of pain or second guessing myself if I could do it or not. I joined an adult volleyball league and play once a week. I picked up swimming again. I started doing yoga! I even picked up power-lifting as a hobby and have increased my strength more and more each week. It’s also pushed me to decide that I would like to compete in power-lifting competitions in 2018! I’m also pushing myself that I’d love to help others and become a personal trainer!