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GMA’s Lara Spencer Is Undergoing Hip Replacement Surgery: ‘I’m Terrified’

Lara Spencer revealed that she’s undergoing hip replacement surgery over the weekend in an emotional Good Morning America segment on Thursday, August 11.

Lara Spencer
Lara Spencer discusses her hip replacement surgery on ‘GMA.’

“A few months ago, I found out that what I thought was just a strained muscle was actually a symptom of something a lot more serious. In a couple of days, I will have to have my entire right hip replaced. It was a shock to hear and a decision that took me quite some time to accept,” she told viewers of finding out she has hip dysplasia, a condition that makes cartilage wear down more quickly.  

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Spencer, 47, who was on the diving team at Penn State and now regularly plays tennis, said her active lifestyle is what caused the health issue. “I love sports. I love being active. I love challenging myself” Spencer said. “I was a jock growing up from the time I was able to walk.”

The GMA coanchor waited a long time to see a doctor about her hip problems and continued to play tennis through the pain, which only made things worse. “It was so upsetting,” she said of her diagnosis. “I waited for a long time before I did anything about it or told anybody because it sounds like it’s an old person’s problem, and I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. However, according to Spencer’s physician, Dr. Peter Moley, 10 percent of all hip replacements are performed on patients under 50 years old. 

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“I’m terrified,” Spencer said. “It was embarrassing to share, and then I realized there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I have a genetic predisposition for this, but if you’re athletic and you move, it’s happening younger and younger.”

Lara Spencer
Lara Spencer

Eventually, her doctor warned her that she might have back and knee problems if she didn’t go through with the hip replacement. “There is no ignoring it at this point,” she said of the intense pain. “I just want to say, anybody out there who suffers with chronic pain, I feel you. It takes over your life. It affects you emotionally, mentally, physically. You cannot sleep. It’s hard to think about. It’s gnawing at you all the time.” 

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Spencer is scheduled to undergo the surgery on Saturday, August 13. ABC News Chief Women’s Health Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said the TV personality can expect to be putting weight on her leg and walking the same day as her surgery. According to Ashton, the full rehab can take anywhere from three to six months. 

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