34 yo athlete expected recovery time for THR

Hi Derrick, a lot depends on where you live. If you are in the states you are more likely to have anterior, which gives a much quicker recovery time. In the UK, more likely to have posterior.

I can only comment on my own recovery from a posterior point of view. I was 57, (so a lot older than you) and fit apart from the hip. I was in hospital for 2 nights, and my recovery was v straight forward. I teach and didn't go back to work properly until week 10, because of the 90 degree rule. People with desk based jobs can sometimes go back from 6 weeks. As a nurse presumably your job is very physical.

Regarding sports, my surgeon doesn't want me road running any more, but he's fine with most other sports. My cousin who was a personal trainer had his hip replaced when he was about 50. I know he's back to training, and has been boxing recently.

People who've had anterior replacements will be able to advise you on their quicker recoveries.

Well, I am much older than you, when I had my first THR (posterior) at 53,  I am in very good shape, and went back to delivering the mail after 7 weeks.  I was supposed to be out for 12 weeks, due to no bending /lifting.  I was in the hospital 2 nights and started rehab 2 days later, 3 days/week plus my own walking, weights etc... on the other days.  I was back playing sports in 3 to 4 months later, tennis, raquetball & hockey @ 11 months.

I had my other hip replaced (posterior) 7/25/16, I am now 56,  I was in the hospital 30 hrs.  Back to work in 12 weeks.  Back to my sports in 12 weeks, might quit hockey.  Just rehab as hard as you can, and you will be fine !

Good Luck 

Hi derrick , ultimately the fitter and healthier you are going into surgery the quicker your recovery will be. Also having a good physiotherapist, doing your exercises both post and pre op . I'm 35 and had extreme muscle wastage and was in very bad condition going into surgery and therefore my recovery is going to be much longer and harder than many others. I've seen a 75 year old man dramatically overtake me in the recovery process because he was fairly active before surgery, I on the other hand was house bound and unable to walk for a year before the operation so Im having to build muscle from almost nothing. It's definitely more to do with condition of body rather than age 😉 X

"How long should I be expected to be out of work...."

Hi Derrick-

I've had a couple of THRs, same side. Over time, the surgeons have gradually reduced hospitalization and recovery time to truly dramatic levels ("In by nine, out by five". But it is still major surgery. And you have health problems going in. So my advice is: Figure 6 weeks to recover from the surgery ordeal. And figure another 6 weeks to get your body untwisted from the hip issues that drove you to the operating room in the first place.

As for a job that requires you to be up and down, on your feet, lifting and carrying--see if you can work half days for a while before committing to full time. Or get that promotion to management, sit around more.

Hurrying back to work is possible; the docs these days can work wonders with pain management. But you will tire easily for months following surgery, and either walk funny and undo the THR goodness that you planned on, or nod off on the job. Bad news all around.

And yes, the professional athlete reports are unhelpful to regular people; those folks always regret returning to competition. I saw one story of a guy who went back to karate! Dumb.

Hope this helps.

 

Not sure how to professionally compete. Look at Bo Jackson. No more football and limited baseball career. Golf yes.

Hi I had a thr last Feb I'm a hairdresser and was back in wrk after 3 and a half weeks back at gym two weeks! I'm now two weeks post op for my second I'm walking with one crutchie even none around the house I think u will be up and about like me as soon as u want the difference this time I have felt really tired but leg wise everyday gets name deter hope this helps

Hi Derick - good luck with the op mate. I am 52 but was running PBs at park run and cycling 70k a year ago and ran a sub-4 marathon less than a couple of years ago, I had no idea I had any problems until march last year and find myself having two THRs starting 24 Feb. I am hoping, like you, that because I still have good muscles in my legs It will aid recovery. I have had to stop the running and cycling but do a resistance band routine on the legs designed to strengthen muscles around the hip joint every morning and swim 50 - 60 lengths with a pullbouy to immobilise the legs every other day - I will keep this going till the day of the op, its got to help with speedier rehab hasnt it ?

  Consultant is absolutely adamant I must not go back to working on building sites or do the running on my new hips though - keeping one eye on how old you are when you need  revision surgery, he reckons it will last 8yrs if I dont quit the builing site and impact sports ( he has done 3500 THRs so inclined to take his advice) I cant wait to get back on the road bike though.

Good luck mate and looking forward to reading on here how you get on