Pushing heavy loads in a wheel barrow after THR

Morning John!    That's great that you're feeling so well and doing all the things you enjoy I don't know if you do enjoy pushing a wheelbarrow but .....😆    I guess just keep in mind that this is not your own joint it's an artificial hip so the mechanical part of it is not the same and as we continue to do things,  maybe things we were not doing before, the wear and tear may come sooner than later.    I think things more like running & jumping where you're going to put a lot of force on that hip can cause it to where down faster.   Supposedly these hit new hips are supposed to last 20+ years but of course that all depends on how we treat these hips and of course how the actual joint itself holds out.  Wishing you all the best!!  Hugs 🤗Linda 

Hi John,

Glad to hear you are doing well after having a FHR.  To answer your question, additional weight bearing can cause more wear and tear on your joint over time.  The same applies to high impact activities, such as running, jumping, etc..  I try to do things in moderation so that I can continue to enjoy life and hopefully prolong the life of my new joint. 

Best wishes!

Hi John, I have the same as you ceraminc ball and socket on a titanium stem. I am nearly 2 years post op, and if i try to do something like lift something that is too heavy, my hip lets me know it doesnt like it, so I stop, I am in my late fifties now and was told it will last me a lifetime rather than the 20 years already told pre op. My surgeon told me that when they get the joints returned to them after cremation for analysis after 15 years joints like ours have no wear and tear.  I would always eer on the side of caution though. 

Dear John

Good news! You should be perfectly fine. I was carrying big weights at twelve months and continued doing this and more for twenty years and the only thing that stopped me was when the plot fitting wore out!

Cheers Richard

hi john, 

the fact that you ask the question has its answer in it ....

Go with your gut feeling ... you know when it is too heavy or too much .

Is it part of your job?

Maybe ask a professional, like your surgeon, for his/her opinion - you are still so young -

big warm hug

​renee

John, I have just moved 2 tons of timber over 2 days, using a hand-cart, about 250 feet on gravel and grass .... and have had no problems with my ceramic joint - even though it is a bit wonky due to surgical mistakes.  I was told to 'live life normally', and working like this is normal for me .

As Linda says, running and sports will put lots of impact strain on the new joint, but provided you are not really over stressing it, you should be fine.  When I was moving the timber, I noticed that I naturally used my 'good' leg to put most force into moving it.  Using a wheelbarrow is good as it transfers the load to the wheel.  That's why I used the trolley, all I had to do was manhandle the sleepers onto it by sliding them over each other, then just pull to the end of the garden, and slide them onto the growing pile of sleepers.

As Renee says, if it feels too much, then STOP.

Graham

Thanks for the responses. My surgeon also told me that I would not wear out the joint in my lifetime. I am hoping this is due to the quality of the prothesis and not a pessimistic view of my longevity

The wheelbarrowing is on my property. We are putting in an orchard. 

I think I will continue what I am doing, but be conscious of not overloading the barrow.

Thanks again.