Young Dublin Man Undergoes Double Hip Replacement at 23

Jack Brennan, a 23-year-old from Dublin, recently underwent a double hip replacement after facing years of chronic pain due to a rare childhood condition. Diagnosed with Perthes disease, which affects approximately 5 to 10 children in every 100,000 annually, Jack’s struggle with hip pain began at the age of 18 but was initially dismissed due to his age.

Brennan described his experience, stating, “I was told five years ago that my hips were in a bad way and I needed to get them replaced, but because of my age it wasn’t something they would do.” This left him feeling hopeless as he was caught between the need for surgery and the prevailing belief that such procedures were reserved for older patients.

Perthes disease restricts blood flow to the femoral head, causing the hip bone to deteriorate. Jack dealt with significant pain and a limp during childhood, though he experienced a period of relative health until the pain resurfaced in his late teens. At that point, medical evaluations revealed serious structural issues in his hips, including minimal cartilage and substantial inflammation.

“I was told that if I didn’t get the surgery, I would likely be in a wheelchair by 40,” he recounted. Despite facing skepticism from healthcare professionals about the timing of his surgery, Jack remained determined to find a solution. He sought out multiple surgeons and received temporary relief through pain injections, but these only masked the issue.

Jack eventually found a surgeon willing to perform the double hip replacement, which was completed in February 2025. This surgery not only corrected the length of his legs, which had been uneven, but also marked a significant turning point in his life. “I’m not in pain anymore,” he said, describing the transformation as “night and day.”

Post-surgery, Brennan has taken to social media to share his journey and raise awareness about the challenges faced by young people with chronic conditions. His TikTok videos, which began shortly after his surgery, have resonated with thousands, highlighting the often-overlooked struggles of those with hidden disabilities.

Jack expressed frustration with the misconceptions surrounding young individuals in pain, stating, “There’s this train of thought that says, ‘If you’re young, you’ll be fine.’ A lot of us look fine, but that doesn’t mean we are.” His message encourages greater understanding and compassion for those who may not visibly display their health challenges.

Today, Jack is pursuing a career as a chartered accountant while advocating for more recognition of young people’s health issues. He aims to foster a more supportive healthcare environment for those grappling with chronic pain and hidden disabilities.