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Cycling intensity 3 months after hip replacement

Posted , 10 users are following.

john26737
john26737

I am 3 months post total hip replacement and feeling 99% back to normal. Well not actually back to normal. I literally feel 20 years younger.

I have progressed from stationary bike to road biking and have done a few easy 10km rides.

Just wondering if anyone has progressed to more intense, longer rides at around the 3 months mark. Aside from dislocation risk, for which I have taken the necessary precautions, are there any other risks, for example risk of implant failure.

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure john26737

    Posted

    My kids are huge road/trail bikers. Every day in bike clubs. They have those little seats that are sooo uncomfortable. I don't know how you sit on those seats after THR.  More power to ya. And great job you are back in the saddle ! 

    I rode those recumbant exercise bike they have comfey tractor type seats it holds me steady and I can bike for miles. Stationary that is.

    My surgeon suggested biking will get the muscles in the bum, legs, hips and the core muscles back faster than any other exercise. Started slow.then worked up to a hour. Took a few weeks.

    Then 8-9 months later I transitioned back to posting ( up and down motion) on my lovely easy gated Tennessee Walker horse. So back in the saddle for us both! LOL,

     

  • renee01952
    renee01952 john26737

    Posted

    hi john, 

    great to hear this ...

    maybe you can ask a professional about this .... physical therapist perhaps --

    I am assuming that your surgeon cleared you and all restrictions are lifted?

    sorry I can't be of more help ... no idea what the risk is re; implant failure -

    please let us know how you are getting on ...

    big warm hug

    renee

  • susan_106
    susan_106 john26737

    Posted

    I've got my stationary bike eyeing me up but I'm not sure when I can get on it I'm now 5 weeks post op any advice?

    • jenny03900
      jenny03900 susan_106

      Posted

      Hi Susan, I'm 16 days post op and my physio encouraged me to go to the gym and ride the exercise bike. I did 10 minutes this morning - easy pace and on a little bit of resistance - and it was fine. I'd say go for it!

    • john26737
      john26737 susan_106

      Posted

      My pt let me on the stationary at about 6 weeks. Just needed to keep the seat high and be very carefull getting on and off. Avoid having your toe turn in when cycling and use the minimal resistance at first. This was the advice given to me.
  • M1954
    M1954 john26737

    Posted

    So happy for you John!  What was your hip like before surgery?  What approach did you have?  Did you do a spinal or GA?  Getting ready for my surgery so just curious!  I like what you said about feeling 20 years younger. I just can't wait to get my life back and be able to do just simple things I like to do like walking at Disney with my family!

    • john26737
      john26737 M1954

      Posted

      My femoral head was squashed flat and my acetubelum was shallowed out. My problem leg was several centimetres shorter than the other. I also had debilitating arthritis. Walking 300 metres from the car park to my work was excruciating. Sitting for more than 10 minutes was excruciating. Lying in bed was like a puzzle to find the position that would be the least painfull. The last 6 months there was no position and no pain killers that would allow me to sleep through the night. I had a very pronounced limp and cycling was out of the question. Every time I went from sitting to standing my femoral head would impinge on the acetubelum and then snap free with a bone shaking snap. I was broken. My body literally appeared bent, although there was nothing wrong with my spine.

      Had to have posterior approach due to the deformed femoral head. Had GA. The surgery really knocked it out of me and the first 6 weeks were not a lot of fun, but I could tell immediately that the bone pain was gone.

      Now at 3 months my walking and cycling is only limited by my general fitness which is improving. My legs are the same length and I have zero pain and no limp. I stand straight and walk straight which feels great.

      Only negative is that I have become a little obsessed with my recovery and boring all and sundry with updates and writing overly detailed and lengthy forum responses smile.

      Good luck with the Op.

    • M1954
      M1954 john26737

      Posted

      Thank you John for sharing with me.  I really appreciate it and it really helps.  
    • john26737
      john26737 M1954

      Posted

      No worries. This forum really helped me leading up to and post op.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK john26737

    Posted

    I do cycle most days - as part of my commute in/out of work in London .... but nothing on this scale.  Well done, it's non weight bearing exercise, and must be good for you?   I do get the 'lamp-post in the buttock' feeling quite often when cycling, do you get that at all?

    Graham

    • john26737
      john26737 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      That is a good description. I also feel the lamp post in the buttock after riding.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK john26737

      Posted

      I'm not sure it's ever going to go away - after all I did lose a lot of weight before the operation, and so I now have much less buttock than I had before.

  • Saddlebum
    Saddlebum john26737

    Posted

    I have had both hip joints replaced, 2013 and 2014. I don't feel restricted now in any way although I still avoid the steepest hills. Could just be my age, I'm 72.

    I find that rides over 25 miles can be uncomfortable due to pressure between saddle and hips. Even with a good quality normal gel road saddle and padded shorts I have to rise off the saddle to ease the pressure discomfort periodicaly. I assume it comes from a difference between the shape of the original joint and the present metal version.

    Does anyone else suffer this way and has anyone found a solution that will get me through the London-Brighton ride in September?

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