exercise + sports

One thing I do know is that if you have osteoarthritis, the degeneration of the cartilage between the bones in the joint never gets better, but only gets worse. If you don't have your hip replaced, you will eventually end up unable to even walk without excruciating bone-on-bone pain. It's up to you how long you choose to wait. 

Annie is right. The pain gets worse and worse until it is no longer possible to do anything as no pain pills touch it. I know as I was nervous and waited to long. The pain got bad really quickly.

Can you discuss with your surgeon what he/she recommends post surgery. They all seem to have slightly different advice.

I have been told that running will wear out the new joint so I am planning not to run although some people do go on to run afterwards. I have been given the go ahead to swim, surf, Paddleboard and waterski and sail (all things I do already so not taking up new sports here) once the hip has bedded in. I can go on long walks with my young Labrador once the strength is back. Cycle, Pilates,some gym equipment. He told me twisting your body is not great for a new hip joint so I don't know about volleyball.

I have had a fairly large ball joint put in which apparently will be more stable going forward with an active life.

I would see if you can find out as much as possible ahead of your op. Whatever happens there will be a period of rest and recovery afterwards and a slowly but surely approach to building up those muscles.

Good luck,

Sam

Hi, high impact exercising is not recommended after the surgery because it will cause more wear and tear on the new joint which will lead to you having to get a replacement sooner.  Having said that it's your body, so what you do afterwards is completely up to you.  There are many who had previously led and active lifestyle and after full recovery of their FHR continue to do what they've always enjoyed. 

Hope this answers your question.  Wishing you the best on whatever you decide

Oh I feel your pain. I was told a year ago I was waitlisted for getting a complete  replacement and I have been spending the whole year waffling and bargaining ,  and for the last month (since actually receiving a surgery date), obsessing about  it.  I still don't want it although when I catch a glimpse of myself I am a hobbling mess of quasi moto.  I am completley in pain. I love skiing and biking yoga and gardening and sailing and swimming....  I am down to being in severe pain always with meds and can't walk a block. But still I am not wanting my leg sawn off  and huge nail being put down my femur and muscles cut and ten inch incision. I have asked a few close friends to come over and put a pillow over my head in order to avoid this whole thing but looks like no one is going to cooperate and I am stuck...SO....I am going in for it .. the total hip replacement April 12. I am totally completely hating and  dreading it. But it is time and yes.. my understanding is you will be limited like crazy for at least three months not being able to bend more than ninety degrees.. and there is alot of boring tiresome physio..... and that you will probably really restricted after that from alot of things you love to do which for six months at least which  may involve twisting or jumping because you could dislocate your hip...and after that you will need to take direction about what is safe for you... this is reality I am thinking.. and I hate it as much as you do.. the party is somewhat over.. or the party location has been changed., 

To be absolutely blunt because I suspect that's the only way you will listen, if you can only cope by swallowing loads of pain killers then your senses are being blunted which is not good then you need to fix to just get on with it.

The more you put it off the more you are putting your body at risk AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT AINT GOING TO GET BETTER!

Sorry to shout but that's sadly a simple fact if life.

Cheers Richard

...what level of excercise will I be able to do after I heal ...

Hi radomira-

Figure about 6 weeks to recover from the surgery; another 6 weeks to get your body back to normal following the long descent into pain and lopsidedness. Your physical therapist will be your guide during the recovery process. The stretching and resistance exercises will be calibrated to your body and the signals it sends to the PT.

The general rule for post-op THR maintenance is to avoid jarring impacts and extreme rotation of the joint. So, physically demanding or competitive sports are off the menu. A bit of friendly doubles tennis, OK; half-marathons, not OK; aggressive games where the object is to knock you down, definitely not OK. On the other hand, you don't have to limit yourself to leisurely walks through the woodlands.

For example, ten years post-THR, I was able to hike some national park trails in New Zealand. It was tiring, but doable with just a daypack. A full overnite pack would have been too much of a burden. And, biking can be fun. I had to stop riding a regular 2 wheeler some 20 years post-THR due to a long-term complication. Fortunately, 3 wheel technology has progressed smartly. I now have an ICE Adventure trike, a nice stable and comfy ride.

My advice: get the THR done, get off the pain meds, get your life back. Don't bang on the new hip, don't do heavy lifting, don't get overweight. Enjoy the next 20 years of pain-free movement.

Hope this helps.

 

hi radomira, 

warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum where we share our personal stories and experiences - we have been there or are about to ...

I was so overwhelmd when I was diagnosed with severe OA and needed hip replacement surgery that I went in denial for a loooong time - well, it did not get better, but worse .. slowly but surely the pain increased, mobilty decreased and work-outs, walks I couldn't do any longer -

There is no reason that you won't be able to take exercise classes after the surgery, not sure about playing volley ball .. don't want to be rude but you might not be able to play volleyball if you don't get the hip replaced - 

This a tough time, darling ... we are here to support you, so please come back any time, okay?

big warm hug

renee

My surgeon told me hip should last 15-17 yrs., this was in Jan 2000, I had developed drop foot, so was not abuseing hip at all, right now, it feels as good as 3 mo. post op. No pain in hio joint at all, sure it feels different from the right real hip, but I've taken some falls and stressed the joint but not 1 twinge, yet. Hope I stay lucky. Oh and looseing 70lbs. helped lots. 250-180.

 

Well the choice is yours post op - I have friends who do black runs on the ski slopes three times a year and do absolutely everthing they did before and some (even some winning amazing sporting medals and accolades so it is by no means the end) and others that worry about an exercise class....it is really personal and up to you. Once you are healed and recovered it is your decision. For me it is enough to do the things I really love like horse riding, dancing, walking, gym  etc - I avoid high impact sports like running, but then I am not keen on an early revision (I had my THP at 40) and my granny lived to 98 so possibly I have many revisions to look forward to if I wear it out too soon with both hips considered....

but quality of life beats everything and you are clearly a very sporty and active person, in time you will be just fine to do most things you love - I would stress your pain will not get better, you will not be able to take pills forever as they will simply stop working, your level of fitness now will be a wonderful benefit to you in for your recovery and you really will get your life back...without the pills or any other props to see you through.

 

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I am  so glad I found this site.

I didn't get a THR as I do a lot of contact sport so I opted for a Hip Resurfacing.

Two different surgeons advised that doing contact sports could reduce the life of a THR and possibility lead to dislocation. 

However I think anything in moderation and listening to your body is the best approach.