Sinking while swimming

Posted , 14 users are following.

I have read that each prosthetic weights between 3 and 5 pounds and it is made of sinking materials. Far less bone mass is removed than titanium installed.

My question is if anyone has noticed if they are less buoyant in the water afterwards.

I will have my second THR this summer and spend a lot of time at the lake with the kids. I just wondered if swimming would be like having 6-10 pounds worth of metal in my shorts.

Just curious.

3 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    FWIW, I haven't found a noticeable difference swimming with my implant but as others have mentioned, it might depend on the specific implant.
  • Posted

    I was given all the detail even their serial numbers after the op, not sure how I'd feel about a recall lol.  It was in a private hospital under NHS.
  • Posted

    Hi Chris,

    although I didn't get to handle my actual implant, my surgeon had lots of ceramic ones on his desk to show me the type of thing I would be getting and they did not feel like they weighed even one pound. Surprisingly light actually! I also went swimming yesterday for the first time since my op and apart from some clicking it was fine - I didn't sink and felt completely normal in terms of the weight and balance on each side. In fact, swimming was the most pleasant feeling I have had in 9 weeks! Hope this helps.

    Basia

    • Posted

      On my next cruise I will request a larger life jacket.

      I held a copy of what I have implanted. Seemed to weigh around a pound

  • Posted

    I swim 4 days a week now for therapy and have not noticed any problems with my operated side seeming heavier in the water. This is a great way to exercise if your having problems with gait issues or knee pain after your thr.
  • Posted

    i had one done last year

    i have just started swimming again this year

    i am definitely more buoyant, my weight hasnt altered

    i am floating very high in the water and to swim efficiently i need to wear a weight belt

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