New hips and riding anyone?

[Dogdaze]

As the title suggests, I am due to have both hips replaced this December, as riding is unbearable after 30mins. Has anyone had hip/ hips replaced and riding with any difficulty or have you gone back to riding once the PT is done and recovered sufficiently.
Any advice or pointers to share would be good. BTW, I'm not overweight (anymore) and 47, but have destroyed my hips,knees and a few other bits from years of competitve bodybuilding and lifting extremely heavy ::010:: (hindsight is a wonderful thing)

 

[OX-34]

Riding post hip replacement is not absolutely contra-indicated.

Dislocation is the main concern. This can happen after any hip replacement, commonly as a result of deep hip flexion and internal rotation of the thigh and allowing the operative limb to pass across the midline (adduction). The first 2 could combine when mounting or dismounting the bike - worse with a topcase fitted or luggage on the pillion seat. Excessive adduction may occur if you mount and dismount with the bike on the sidestand and your left foot on the foot peg.

Dislocation may be less likely with surgery using an anterior approach.

Discuss it with your surgeon. Take a short video of you doing the mount/dismount procedure if your surgeon is not a rider.

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks for the info, I believe I'm having the Anterior version with no muscle cutting, just parting, and having both done at the same time.

 

[skoron]

My wife has struggled for years with a bad hip. Finally in July she had a replacement. We went for one ride just before her surgery on the S10. As usual she struggled to get on but was comfy once positioned. We were out for a few hours with her as passenger.

Recovery went well and PT was short as she was making great headway. Legs are the same length so no lift needed.

But, she reached a plateau and was not getting any better. Deep pain in the leg was a chronic complaint. Multiple visits to the doctor with reviews from outside. they claim she is a 3% that has this issue. Something about the implant not reacting well with the bone. They say full recovery will take a year.

She is back on pain killers again with a doctor note for minimal activity at work. Very frustrating for her as she needs a cane again. No plans to be on the bike for a year.

And yes, the ongoing safety check is no over rotation of the hip beyond 90 deg.

Good luck with your surgery. I hope it goes well.

 

[Dogdaze]

"And yes, the ongoing safety check is no over rotation of the hip beyond 90 deg."
Very funny! I can't do that now!! even loaded with pain killers, which is another reason for getting it done.
My wife is hoping that when it's done and some of the pain (at least hip area) is gone I may not be such and a-hole, I think she's got more chance of being the president!! ::013::

 

[54Nfree]

I had hip replacement 12 years ago, It takes time and work to get better. Riding is no problem now, The great thing about a new hip it gets better every day no kidding, I got where i could walk 13 miles every day. Good luck. JIM

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks for the replies and good wishes. I guess I was looking for confirmation that I'll be able to ride again, as that is my only release these days and also the thing that causes the most discomfort and pain. So it would be bitter-sweet to have to go through the surgery and not be able to resume some of those activies without the fear of hips 'popping out'.................

 

[trikepilot]

My $0.02 from being in the OR every day and from friends and family who have had total hip replacements (THA).

First off, look into hip resurfacing rather than replacement - might be the right option if you are a good candidate - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00586

Second, most definitely go with a surgeon very comfortable with the anterior approach - not all are equally as good with this technique. Be picky!!!

Third, shop around for a surgeon who has some significant experience with THA's on younger folks who want to get fairly active again. A vast preponderance of THAs are done on elderly folks with already restricted mobility who fracture their hip in a fall and the THA is employed to alleviate discomfort rather than get them back into action.

And finally... much of the outcome for any of these procedures is determined by what you bring to the table before and after the procedure. Make sure that your fitness, your diet, your support systems, your commitment, and your attitude are all conducive to the healing process and its inevitable fluctuations. You are asking all the right questions and seem motivated which are both a great start!!

I see no reason that riding should not be in your future.

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks Trikepilot,
I am lucky enough to have a very good insurance policy that will allow me to go to the #1 Ortho clinic in Switzerland, Balgrist Uniklinik, they look after the Swiss Olympic Team. I will also look into resurfacing, but I think I may be beyond that as I have zero cartildge in my hips and knees for that matter and bone regrowth right at the knuckle of the 'ball' part of the leg that is due to lifting and also restricting movement.
During the consultation they admitted that they have treated young patients that were professional atheletes, including a free rock climber who went back to it after one month! They also don't want you to use your hips again, or it may not last the 'rest of your life'..........

 

[Checkswrecks]

Although I could not get my ex onto the bike before or after hip replacement (one only), I could offer two items of encouragement.


The first is how unbelievably fast they had her walking and doing stairs. I believe it was within 24 hours!


The second was how fast she got back into her yoga and it really was not that long before she was could move beyond where she'd been pre-replacement.
::008::




The procedure didn't seem to change her outlook on life though.
:

 

[Dogdaze]

The procedure didn't seem to change her outlook on life though.
:

I get that. My wife is threatening to pay the surgeon to give me a labotomy while I'm under.
My main concern is being able to continue with the things I enjoy doing. I ride motorcycles, lift weights, ride a bicycle, and generally stress my lowerbody a lot. I would hate to think that the surgery would only be to eleminate pain, I've lived with pain most of my adult life so it's no big deal (although, recently it has started to effect my mood), crushed vertabrae, damaged knees, torn tendons, muscles etc.
But I take onboard what all have mentioned and am looking forward to having done now, just so that I get back to my grumpy-self again, not angry grumpy! ::014::

 

[ThreePutt]

I had my left hip replaced using the anterior approach. Within a few weeks I was back on the bike without issue, 3 years later its like it never happened. The joint is solid and pain free, no hint or fear of dislocation. You will kick yourself for not getting it done sooner.

With the anterior approach, loved only spending one night in the hospital and FAST healing with no restrictions after. No muscles are cut so in my mind it was like recovering from a dislocated hip. It wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be, about three weeks post surgery I went from using a walker to walking without aid and without a limp.

 

[2112]

One of my work colleagues has had a hip replaced due to some sort of bone disintegration, only in his thirties at the time. He was back on the bike three months after the op with no issues. The wife has recently had a new knee fitted and is doing exceptionally well four months on. Hit the physio hard (but not harder than they recommend) and you'll be fine ::008::