Back in October 2024, Grace had been experiencing severe hip pain for just over a week. Since she trained in karate four times a week, she assumed it was just a training-related issue. She noticed the pain was a problem when it disrupted her sleep and caused her left thigh to lose sensation while running. The pain eased, and she thought little of it—until she fainted at school. When she woke up, she realized her leg had swollen significantly and was starting to discolour. After visiting her local doctor, she fainted twice more and was rushed to A&E with a suspected DVT. A scan revealed a cluster of clots from her hip past her knee.
Grace was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital, where she was diagnosed with May-Thurner syndrome. She underwent three surgeries to remove the clot and had a 12cm stent placed in her vein. Grace remains on blood thinners and will continue treatment for at least the next year. Thanks to the support of her surgeon and medical team, she is gradually returning to karate with caution.
Grace’s experience highlights the importance of listening to your body and seeking help when something doesn’t feel right. She hopes sharing her story will raise awareness and encourage others to take their symptoms seriously.
