“Hi I'm Jacob. I'm 30 years old. I had 2 operations to make my hip better. I'm doing well. I'm trying to make it in life. Check back later to see how I'm doing. Bye Bye”
I left West Aurora High School in Aurora, and used to wrestle.
In 2004 Jacob was diagnosed with Perthes Disease. The condition as a hip problem involving temporary loss of blood supply to the ball of the hip joint, leading to pain, stiffness and changes in the femoral head.
In August 2004 Jacob had been complaining of pain when he walked. While the family was in Downtown Chicago for the Venetian Night festival, they were running back to the train when Jacob collapsed in pain. Steve carried him about four blocks back to the train. The next day he was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with Perthes Disease.
On November 11, 2004 at 9 AM, Jacob underwent a procedure involving a Petrie Cast, with casts on both legs from thigh to ankle and bars between them to keep the legs spread apart. The cast was applied at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. The page also records a fluoroscopic examination and hip arthrogram used to help plan future treatment.
Jacob had learned how to move around the house under his own power, moving from the couch to his wheelchair and wheeling himself toward the bathroom, though the doorway still caused difficulty.
Jacob thanked everyone who had sent gifts, cards, donations and well wishes. His cast was scheduled to come off December 15 at 8:30 AM, and he was especially looking forward to taking a hot bath and bending his legs again.
Cast Removed
The cast had been removed successfully. Jacob now had to learn to walk normally again, and the family documented his recovery with a large set of photos.
Jacob had a good Christmas and received a mechanics tool set, Craftsman screwdriver set, toolbox, racecar, Xbox games, baseball glove and ball, an American Chopper book and clothes.
It also records that he was scheduled to report to Edward Hospital early on December 28 for surgery involving pins or screws to correct his hip condition.
Surgery at Edward Hospital
The family arrived at Edward Hospital at 5:30 AM. Surgery began around 7 AM and lasted roughly two and a half hours, followed by recovery. The surgeon repositioned the hip socket, placed two long pins, shaped the femoral head and performed a muscle-lengthening procedure.
Later that day Jacob was sitting up watching cartoons. His pain was being managed, and the plan was for him to learn to use crutches without putting weight on his left leg for six weeks.
Jacob was getting around the house well on crutches and could go down to his basement bedroom. He was also back to working on bicycle projects assembled from spare parts.
The orthopedic visit went fairly well. Jacob could discontinue his wheelchair and crutches, put weight on both legs and begin stretching exercises. He was also allowed to ride his bike as long as he avoided jumps.
Pins Removed
Jacob returned to Edward Hospital for surgery to remove the pins implanted in December 2004. The operation finished around 11:45 AM, and he returned home later that day. His doctor cleared him for normal activities as soon as he felt ready.
Steve also added a thank-you to everyone for their prayers and donations.
Moving Normally Again
Jacob was getting around as though he had never had a problem. Steve describes having him run across the Blue Field House at West Aurora and being unable to tell that only two months earlier he had two pins in his hip.
Doing OK
Jacob had been doing well over the previous year, though overexertion could leave him very stiff the following day.
Summer Work and Winter Plans
There was nothing new medically to report. Jacob had made money during the summer cutting grass and planned to shovel snow from neighborhood driveways during the Chicago-area winter.
All Is Well
Jacob was having no trouble with his hip.
Cleared to Wrestle
Jacob passed his sports physical and was cleared to wrestle.
Latest Update
Jacob is working for himself fixing vehicles, doing miscellaneous work, living with his 2 boys in his home and getting on with life as a young adult.
Jacob Kraft
