Saved By The Bell star Tiffani Thiessen shares she needs hip replacement

Saved by the Bell star Tiffani Thiessen has disclosed that she needs to undergo a hip replacement at the age of 52 after opening up about a series of painful health issues.

The actor, who rose to fame playing Kelly Kapowski in the beloved US teen sitcom, explained that she had sought a second medical opinion after experiencing problems with her hip.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Breaking Bread with Tom Papa podcast, Thiessen revealed that she had been diagnosed with both a torn labrum and hip dysplasia.

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"I have to get a hip replacement — I do," she said. "I was a dancer when I was younger, which was a good thing, [and] I have a torn labrum, that's one issue I have. Then, I found out, going to my second opinion, … I have hip dysplasia."

Reflecting on her years of dancing, the star suggested that the flexibility she enjoyed as a youngster may have contributed to the problems she is experiencing today.

"So, when I was very flexible as a young child has now caused my issue now," she joked, adding: "I hear the hip replacements aren't as bad as knee and shoulders [replacement procedures]."

Thiessen went on to explain that the pain has affected her ability to enjoy certain activities, including playing pickleball.

According to the NHS, hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint is loose and can easily move out of its normal position.

Away from her health issues, Thiessen is currently starring in Disney+'s Coven Academy, in which she plays headmistress, Emma Graves.

The supernatural teen drama, which follows a group of young witches attending a boarding school in New Orleans, was recently renewed for a second season.

As well as her breakout role in Saved by the Bell, which originally ran from 1989 to 1993, Thiessen is known for playing Valerie Malone in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Elizabeth Burke in White Collar.

She also starred in Netflix sitcom Alexa & Katie before reprising her role as Kelly in the 2020 revival of Saved by the Bell, which ran for two seasons.

Coven Academy is currently streaming on Disney+.

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