I'm a pretty fit 56 year old - and very keen on my sport. I've had to give a few up (running, tennis - anything high impact basically) as arthritis has worsened, but still cycle, swim, ski and - occasionally - row. I'd dearly love to be able to return to them all post-op, but am unsure whether this would be ill-advised? Any thoughts/real life experiences would be much appreciated :-)
Well the first one i would remove from your list is running and anything high impact. I would think cycling is okay but i would stay away from skiing too, what if you have a bad fall? These are my personal views of course and everybody is different and recovers differently. Since you are very active in sports pre-surgery i would think that you should be able to do more post surgery than someone (like me) who was doing minimum. This is also something you and your doctor need to discuss.
High impact sports are discouraged for life, cycling has a risk to your prosthesis if you fall off so although exercise bikes are OK mountain biking could be iffy. Rowing does involve high loads at maximum hip flexion (not impact) so would be on the no list for the first few months, discuss this with your surgeon as the surgical approach may influence the risk of dislocation. Skiing carries the same risk as cycling and some types have (I believe) some impact loading. Swimming is good, walking is strongly recommended (but not running down mountainsides),. You will have to balance for yourself the risk of prosthesis failure and your enjoyment of the activity - how about sailing or some types of paddling instead of rowing.
Take sports slowly until your 1 year follow-up then have a sensible discussion with your surgeon or his favourite physiotherapist.
If you search other threads on here there are people competing in triathlons after ThR!! Depends on your age and most of all your attitude.....the more gently you treat your new hip the longer it will last though!!!
I know people who are skiing, hill walking riding...I have no problems on a static bike/ cross trainer and have been using it since week 8 or 9....Swimming no probs. except for breast stroke legs for first few months....just listen to your own body but dont try too much too soon..when's your op???
I am 58 and was a tennis fan but really only ever played doubles for fun and I do intend returning - my consultant is ok with this. I shall have a few knock ups first and I think I will limit myself to about 3 sessions a week which is about three hours and maybe play say Sunday Tuesday and Thursday also only on artificial grass not a hard surface.
I wrote about my hip yesterday and going to the lawyers tomorrow Like I said the X-ray was fine when they were fisrt done.I think the rehabilitation kick my butt ! She was having me push 20 to 40 pounds with my new hip.Thought I was going to die ! Anyway the one inch difference is not acceptable and the inserts aren't getting It eithe.r Dont't know who's fault it is butt I'm a cripple now and somebody is going to pay ! !
Dennis I think you have some slightly unrealistic expectations. An inch difference in leg length is a nuisance but does NOT make you a cripple. Pushing weights early in rehab seems a bit optimistic. It might have been sore but it certainly wouldn't kill you so please don't exaggerate.
For the momentI suggest you concentrate on your hip abductors and see if you can improve your function - if your abductors don't work properly you will not necessarily be crippled but you will certainly find some activities difficult. You will find abductor exercises on You-tube and some on threads in this forum.
Like I said the doctors and therapist sure be a little more careful on why there doing to somebodys body.I had dedenerative arthritis for 2 years and yes it was painful but it was better than what I have now.Even with the wonderful inserts I still look and walk like a cripple. Use to be very active but thats way over
Hi i'm 39 had lthr 17 days ago. Have never been sporty so it hasnt come as such a blow for me but I have heard people goin back to tennis, cycling, regular gym etc. Why dont you join group on facebook its called young thr. people on there from aged 12 to 60's i've heard people returning to all kinds and you may get some extra advice on there. I couldnt risk anything to damage hip as i just want to get a long painfree life out ov it but everyone is different and sport is obviously a big part ov your life.and hey chris will i be able do breast stroke eventually?????
Like you I was a keen sportsman..until I developed arthritis in my left hip about 20yrs ago which stopped me playing squash to quite a high standard.
I then took up MTBing which I found brilliant with no ill effects.
But I even had to give that up 2yrs ago due to my painful hip which I had replaced 14wks ago.
I have tried cycling on a turbo trainer in the garage but only managed 5mins before being forced to stop with the pain from my new hip..maybe I tried too soon? but. I do intend to try again in a month or so...I find walking a few miles no trouble,hopefully that will help bed in the new joint.
I do however have a 56yr old friend who has with the blessing of his surgeon went skiing 20wks post THR..As we always say on here everybody recovers at a different rate,and it's not wise to compare yourself to others...a mistake I made early on.
good luck,your own body will tell you how much you can do.
..and one more thing from me, like my doctor said to me a few times - listen to your body! If you overdo, you will feel it, i assure you. It happened to me recently and i paid for it the past two weeks, it is much better now but it was a lesson.
Hi
i have had a hip replacement and a knee replacement. i choose a good surgeon with a lot of expertise and also the right implant for me as i am only 56.
i am now back to swimming, skiing, walking, gym etc as normal.