friction . This cartilage can be seen on an X-ray as the space in between the bones of the joint , but in the Debbie ’ s case , it was bone on bone , and when she met with the orthopaedic surgeon , who she fondly refers as Doctor Chuck , the prognosis was not good . The only way forward was a complete hip replacement .
Debbie was devastated , and says , “ I thought my running career was over .” But not one to take things lying down , she began to research , and in speaking to other runners who had undergone the same operation , as well as cases she found online , she realised that the outcome may not be as bleak as she originally thought . Then she found the ray of light she had been looking for : “ Even if I couldn ’ t run , I would still be able to walk , so I decided I would start powerwalking once recovered from the operation , because sport is my sanctuary .”
In the meantime , the world was throwing still more challenges her way , on top of her hip operation , as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold . This meant that when she went in for the operation on 23 July 2020 , her partner of six years , Riaan , was forced to just drop her off at the hospital , not being allowed to accompany her in to see that she was comfortably settled in . Fortunately , despite being alone for four days with no visitors , Debbie came through the surgery well . “ They get you out of bed the next day , walking on crutches , to get you mobile , and on day two they already had me doing stairs ,” she says .
Power of Positive Thinking
More good news was that Dr Chuck had used the anterior approach method for the hip replacement , going through the front of the joint , which meant that instead of having to cut through ligaments , they could simply stretch them in order to do the hip replacement . Therefore , part of the recovery process
“ The first thing I asked Dr Chuck that day was when can I run ? He just laughed , saying all you runners are the same …
following the surgery was working on the muscles and ligaments around the hip joint , which meant physio three times a day while still in hospital , with a lot of intense exercising , all which Debbie made sure to do strictly according to orders , so as to do things right , as she puts it .
With no visitors allowed , Debbie had brought plenty of reading material to keep herself busy , and in one of the running magazines she came across an article about professional US runner Sybil Sanders , who at the age of 42 had to undergo a total hip replacement , and was back running again after just four months . This was the light at the end of the tunnel that Debbie needed . “ I found her on Facebook and sent her a message , saying how much her story had inspired me , and asking her advice for the path that lay ahead . I was so surprised when she wrote back , telling me I would be back to running in no time , and it was just the motivation I needed , because if she could do it , I could do it , too .”
Following the operation , Debbie followed the recovery programme to the letter , and six weeks later she was given the all clear to stop using the crutches . “ The first thing I asked Dr Chuck that day was when can I run ? He just laughed , saying all you runners are the same … then he told me I could walk , but not run .” And so Debbie walked , starting with a few hundred metres at
Debbie and Riaan
I nominate Debbie Fass
During August , Women ’ s Month , we invited readers to tell us about the strong women in their lives , and why they inspire you , and the reader with the best story would win a Garmin Forerunner 55 , valued at R3999 . The winning story would also be featured here in Modern Athlete mag . This is the nomination for Debbie Fass , submitted by her partner Riaan Lloyd .
Debbie has been a long-distance runner for over 14 years and completed her 10th Comrades in 2019 , finishing in 9:44 to earn her first Robert Mtshali medal . Towards the end of 2019 , after having run the Kaapsehoop Marathon in 3:48 , she started feeling tremendous pain in her hip joint . Initially she thought it was just tendonitis , but after numerous tests and MRI scans , it was discovered she had arthritis and had to have a total hip replacement .
Needless to say , she was devastated , and her worst fear was that she would never run again . However , with the most amazing specialist orthopaedic surgeon , Dr Chuck , and his dedicated team of physios and biokineticists , she was able to run her first 500m just four months post-surgery .
Her journey through this ordeal is inspiring , as she was so determined to get back on the road that she listened exactly to everything they told her to do . Not more , not less . We bought a spinning bike for home use and slowly in the first three months she regained her strength and complete use of her hip . She is now running five times a week , but not more than 50km . She was told that she is not allowed to run more than 21.1km at any given time , and only twice a month , and she said , “ I can live with that as long as I can still run !"
The X-rays showing Debbie ’ s natural right hip and artificial left hip
Her passion for running has always inspired me to run – not long distances , only up to 21.1km , but her relentless determination and dedication to her recovery has inspired me so much , that not to run because I ' m feeling lazy is not an option . Debbie , I salute and admire your steadfastness during your road to recovery , and I hope you continue to get stronger and inspire other people with your amazing story .
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