Running on new hip

I had a total hip replacement Oct 2014, ceramic and titanium.  I have been a life long skier and instructor.  The doctor gave me the go ahead to ski February.  Sticking to groomed slopes I skied 3 weeks in Vail.  I started slow, by the end of 3 weeks I was was pretty close to my old form with a bit less endurance.  I did find that it was great for getting the muscles around the new hip to really engage.  You just have to know when to quit.

I am 6 months out total hip replacement. I fell at work, was airborne, and landed my entire weight on right hip.  I have ceramic and metal prosthesis. I have been a runner for forty years, for health, emotional well being, and spirituality. If I have to give it up, I will be quite sad and depressed.  I am 57. Walking if beneficial, but it doesn't provide the rest for the soul.  Does anyone else have a similar experience?  I have secretly jogged and been chastised by my daughter.

 

Hello Everyone

Really nice to hear other people’s views on exercise following total hip replacements. You've all inspired me to share my story and ask for your advice re running. I am now 27 and had a total L hip replacement in Dec 2013 aged 25 after suffering with diagnosed osteoarthritis for 3yrs. My new hip is ceramic & nylon. 

I was born with hip dysplasia of the L hip which was picked up at birth. I've since found out this is commonly seen where babies lay 'breech' in-utero (bottom down instead of head down for a significant period of time), however this wasn't the case for me as I was born in the head down position. From birth I was closely observed by doctors and had regular x-rays until I was around 2yrs old when I was discharged. I never had any surgery on my hip and had no problems walking or with general physical development as a child & never complained of pain. (Apparently i was walking at 9months)!

In 2010 after a few years of mild discomfort around my L hip and after numerous confusing unsuccessful GP appointments I was finally sent for an X-ray which confirmed I had severe osteoarthritis of the L hip which the Dr confirmed was due to the hip not forming correctly/fully (a result of the hip dysplasia). I was shocked with the findings (up until that point I hadn't even known about my hip dysplasia as my parents had never needed to tell me & I never asked). 

Between 2010-2012 (surprisingly) I was at my peak fitness, I weighed 8st 6lbs and trained at the gym every evening after work, spin, body pump, body attack, ashtanga yoga, body combat and body strength circuits were in my weekly routine. At my fittest, on Saturday's I would train back to back from 9-1 jumping from one gym class to the next & my body coped with it no problem. At this point I was working in an office sat a desk all day so my hip wasn't being strained unless in the gym.

I managed ok until the end of 2012/ start of 2013 when I started university doing a clinical vacation on my feet all day. I began relying on 60mg Codeine and 1g Paracetamol 4 hourly to help manage the pain I was in & developed IBS due to the tablets. By August 2013 I was struggling to walk and developed a limp - this is when I called my surgeon & asked to be put forward for the surgery. He was very supportive & happily put me through. He said they usually hold back performing such operations on younger people but given the state my hip was in he was simply waiting for my go ahead to book me in for the op. In 2013 I had to stop exercising (begrudgingly) and by the end of the year leading up to my op I was using crutches to walk & used my grandfather’s wheelchair cushion in my car for driving  to keep my knees/hips at a 90 degree angle. All of this had a huge effect on my confidence & it took me a while to come to terms with the surgery I needed, it was really hard & my family suffered seeing how upsetting it was for me. By stopping exercising my weight went up to 9st 8lbs which was my heaviest which hugely effected my self-image and happiness. 

I finally had the op 27/12/13 and within 6 weeks was off the crutches, strong prescribed drugs and back at university studying and on placement as well as in the gym starting off with low impact exercise. It took me a while to get back to normal (both physically and mentally) but with determination and support from family, friends and my amazing partner I have managed to come through the other end & now feel I'm back to me again

I was on paracetamol and Ibuprofen daily for a year post op which just about managed the post op pain and discomfort, In Jan 2015 I completely came off all tablets and haven't needed them since. I am still in the gym doing weekly Pump, Spin, LBT, Yoga, Circuits and long distance walks in the Dales pain free!

I really want to try adding jogging into my exercise regime purely for weight loss, I don't want to put extra strain on my new hip and R good hip though. My surgeon had no concerns about me going back to placement/uni or the gym. What are your thoughts?

I hope my story helps those who may be in a similar situation to me & to reassure that things do get better.

I'm still working towards being back at my PB weight & fitness. I currently fluctuate between 9st - 9.3st and work hard to eat well and exercise as much as I can. I take time out to have back massages when I can afford them to help ease the muscles and give them some tlc which I believe is really important

Thanks for reading my story and good luck to everyone in their recoveries! I would love to hear from you and happy to answer any questions if I can help from my situation.

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Hi fredrunner!  I'm 48,  had both hips done - the last one in 2012.  I had been quite active when younger but kids and the hip problems I slowed down.  With the new hips and lack of pain :-) I decided to be sensible and make them 'last' as I was so young and likely to face further replacement despite how good the new hips are meant to be.  My exercise regime was basically swimming 5 days a week but I was conscious that whilst not feeling unfit I felt my mobility was on the decline.

Having said I wouldn't run, about six months I decided I wanted to get on top of that declining feeling.  I don't know about the state of my hips but now running I do feel I have increased my mobility in my hips strangely enough and health wise I feel better too.  

I don't quite want to curl up and die - probalby extreme language but the point for me is that was the feeling I had getting replacement hips as that's what old folk get done and I'm not a pensioner (the nicest thing my consultant said to me was you are a bit young to get your hips done).  Hence my initial decision to be sensible and 'make the last'.  But now running again, I am not regretting the physical and mental benefits this is giving me.  

What will the long term future bring I don't know - I certainly didn't guess I would have both hips replaced in my mid forties.

I have always felt the advice regarding hips was geared to the older patients. Now many people who are younger and more active are getting hips replaced, it would be nice to see some advice geared to this!  My advice - give yourself a good period to bed them in, the swimming was great (and still is), then start slow, listen to your body.  I run three times a week, two half hour runs and an hour run and I don't know if I'll go for a marathon but I'm happy where I am and much happier than before when I wasn't running.....  

Hi,

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has contributed. I am due a hip replacement sometime over the next few weeks and have been very nervous about it!! Not knowing what to expect and what I will be able to do afterwards. I have found your stories inspirational and helpful.

Wish me luck!

Hi Fred ,

what is the condition after hip replacement now can you run normally . Your help on this will be really helpful

Regards

Kapil

9823198878

I did exactly that after my metal/metal resurf. Then got hit by a van while cycling which smashed it! Now ceramic on UHMWPE, cup and head both modular. I'm running around 10-11 miles a week (but accidentally did 14 last week); surgeon happy. He is also a runner and, as well as being a good friend, we have run in some of the same 10k races. I've always beaten him - I've warned him that I'll report him to the GMC if he starts beating me... Saw him a couple of weeks ago, he reckons that my hip, which is fine, (and shoulder and heart) and his age put us even in the decrepitude stakes!!

 

hi,

My name is Kim. I am 2 years out of a bilateral hip replacement.  for 2 years i was in severe pain alllll the time.  i went to 3 doctors.  all took xrays and all gave a different diagnosis.  RA, burcitis and arthritis.  finally i went to a doctor who just watched me walk and sent me to a surgeon who immediately diagnosed me with AVN.. first hip replaced in july second in oct.  i was 53 and heart broken.  as a young woman i was a fire fighter and stayed in excellent shape.  i have been told by my surgeon that the right hip was so damaged that they had to use a larger ball joint to install.  so i can not do ANY impact excercise at all with the chance of dislocating the larger ball.  my weight has ballooned and the scars are horrible.  if any one has any ideas of exercise i can do i would so appreciate it.  i tried zumba but was too high impact.  some yoga i can do.