Running after hip replacement.

I know exactly what you are going through. I have run 15 marathons and countless other races. Last year i had a total hip replacement. Metal on metal. My running days were over. The metal on metal hip failed and i since had a revision with a ceramic hip. I feel great and i now do the eliptical for an hour and half each day. I enjoy this but it is not like running. I went to my doctor and told him i am getting the running bug again and sought his permission to start jogging again. He was direct and said i was asking for trouble. Not only would it cut done on the longevity of the hip but i was risking dislocation. Bottom line is i walk, i bike and i do the eliptical. Not the same bt i don't want to go through another operation. Sorry i totally understand what you are going through
 
I feel what you r going through Iam a 28 yr old female and had a total hip replacement on both hips 3 months apart and it was really painfull. I used to be on every sport in high school and still continue after but my doctor told me not to run or do extreme sports because of the impact it could damage the hip. I want to lose weight and I can only do the elliptical, bike machine, and walk but I don't feel that I'm loosing weight fast enought like if I would run. I tried to jug but Iam sacred.
 
I totally understand you i was doing the same thing but drugs n alcohol it's not the solution and I'm glad that I opened my eyes n so did you. Since I was 23 I started having problems with my hips n not till I was 25 I had both total hip replacements with ceramic and doctor told me it will only last 10 years so it's being 3 years since I had the serguries and 7 years to go for another one :/ it really sucks I don't want to go through that pain again. But good luck to you too n best thing to do is not to run.
 
I'm sorry everyone seems so restricted after having hip replacement, that has not been my experience. Finding the right doctor is the most important thing, not only do I run 6 miles three days a week but I play volleyball with guys 15-20 years younger than me. I know 3 other people that went to the same Dr. and have had the same outcome. So for people that have not had there surgery yet look for doctors that want to keep you running, jumping, and doing everything you want to do!!!
 
Talk to your orthopedist and tell him/her about your desires to resume running. You might even want to get a second opinion on this as there are as many opinions as there are doctors.
 
No one has mentioned swimming as an alternative. Don't necessarily even have to get hip replaced to get an aerobic workout from swimming. I understand the passion for running, but passion can be redirected. Mine was rekindled when a friend directed me to a self-instructional program on freestyle swimming ("Total Immersion.com"). If you are competitive, you can find ample challenge in a pool or lake without destroying your hip.
 
I am 53, had hip replacement at 48. Read about others running after replacement,talked to dr. who goes skiing after double hip replacement. Seems like different doctors warn against varied levels of activity. Some say never do impact exercise of any kind ever, some say things like only doubles tennis but not singles (not clear on this since I play both similarly).
For me it comes down to risk-reward and you have to make that decision.
I believe that running like you do or playing basketball and softball like I do; are both putting greater wear and tear on the joint. Question is...how much and how quickly will it finish/damage the joint? I think that hips are getting better and better and used properly they last 20-30 years or more. "Used properly". We are not using them properly so we are risking sooner wear out. But, what am I preserving it for? So when I am 65 I will move around better?
Question is....do you want to get all you can out of your hip while you are young enough to enjoy it. Second question....is it worth it?
I am not sure for me.....hip was getting to the point where I didn't notice it was there. Now, I kind of notice it. Good, bad, I caused it, that is normal????
It all comes down to your motivation/priority and knowing you are taking a risk that will change your future.........
Actually, I am hoping that they continue to make improvements in process so IF I need a second replacement; it is easier and works better than second hips work now.
Good luck.
 
I got a full hip replacement 3 yrs ago and its a bit frustrating for at least 6-9 months to say the least.
However , I am back playing racket sports 4-5 times a week and have not had any adverse reaction to this type of activity.
I personally believe its better to play / do some form of exercise daily , even if its walking or cycling. I'm male 61 yrs and doing everything that I want to do - except I don't do any running on roads , etc. I think this may shorten the life of the new hip ? Maybe not , but why take the chance ?
I read about someone who ran 1000 miles in about 3 weeks approx and had a check up / scan after the event - there was no difference to his condition other than he was more fit after the event - not bad for someone with 2 x new hips ? ( 2 yrs after the operation approx ? )
 
stillrunning said:
I had the MIS-2 Incision by Dr. Mark Heller at Minnesota Orthopaedic Specialists. He's the guy to see!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks Stillrunning - ironically I just visited with Dr. Heller this morning! I had not read this thread in sometime and now see your reply :) Dr. Heller provided an excellent synopsis of the benefits of the MIS-2 approach along with some of the risks - which concerned me (stem loosening) - but only occurs in .1% of cases and now has ways to deal with this during operation if Cysts are present. Alot to consider - but he did state that the life of the socket is 20-22 years so would be looking at another replacement at 70?

Thanks again.
 
Not sure if you are still checking this or if anyone reads it but I believe that you should run if it makes you happy. Yes you might have to have your hip replaced sooner than later but you will be in over all better shape and happier. I broke my hip two years ago snow sking and was told by my doctor to never run again and I run all the time. I am in better shape and way less now then before I hit the tree snow sking. Everyones body is very different and if God put running in your heart then who is the doctor to tell you not to run? Yes I will need to have my hip replaced sooner than if I never ran again but that is my choice and I am willing to live with it. I am 38 years old and training for a Half Ironman and plan on doing a full one by the time I am 40. Overall I believe that the benifits you receive from running out way everything else.

Good luck
 
hi gmathis67, way to go. I have to say that an Ironman seems over the top but i don't see how it will hurt. five years ago i had both my hips replaced and now i have to have my right knee replaced, i can only run three miles now and i have to be real slow and watch my footing and it hurts! the surgery is in four weeks and i hope to start running as soon as i can, it will take a lot of work but in two or three years i hope to do another marathon.
 
We understand your feelings. There is no point to become feel bad about this. It is true it would be very hard to run at your previous speed with this new replacement. Don't give up. Just cut the speed.

We the human usually do different sorts of exercise in order to getting healthy figure. Speed does not matter at all. What is really matter is to keep our self active all the time during our life spell. So be happy, forget about this and feel happy with your new replacement.
 
There are lots of ways to exercise for hip replacement patients - many of them the same as those that people with natural hips do!! The only caveat for a hip replacement patient is to avoid engaging in lots of high-impact activity. Such things as singles tennis, down-hill skiing, running or jogging, contact sports, basketball, etc. are high-impact activities. Avoid them. If you're in doubt about what you should and shouldn't be doing, ask your surgeon.
The good news is that walking is not a high-impact activity. Neither is swimming or bicycling. You could even try joining a class for water exercise or "water walking" if you don't like to swim. If you don't like to cycle outside, try a stationery cycle.
Don't forget to exercise your upper body as well. Using free weights can help prevent osteoporosis.

Good Luck!
 
Hi Gimpy, and others.
I too have had a hip replacement and successfully restarted long distance trail running. It took me a long time and a lot of experimentation to realise that not all running is necessarily detrimental. There is so little helpful information out there about how to run with a hip replacement so I decided to write an eBook to help others. You'll find it .

I hope you are still running and that the tips in this book help. Kindest regards.
 
I want to run again!!!

Alistair McAlpine said:
Hi Gimpy, and others.
I too have had a hip replacement and successfully restarted long distance trail running. It took me a long time and a lot of experimentation to realise that not all running is necessarily detrimental. There is so little helpful information out there about how to run with a hip replacement so I decided to write an eBook to help others. You'll find it .

I hope you are still running and that the tips in this book help. Kindest regards.
Click to expand...

Hi there,

I'd love to read this book! I had a hip replacement in January and do NOT want to give up running, despite my surgeon's strong advice to do so. I'm just not ready to give it up. I'm only 47 years old and just don't want to give up this part of my life. Can this book be read on an iPhone or on the computer without an e-reader???

Thanks!!
 
Running after Hip replacement

I am a 47 year old Runner, my daughter is a top runner, my brother run's and a lot my friends run. I had a hip replacement in August 2012. It was recommended that I don’t return to running, I put up 2.5 stone in weight. I started cycling and like the others it just didn't satisfy me. I had a lot of mussel issues after the op eg. IT band, Quads and calves.... after trying various Physio's I finally found a guy that sorted all my issues out. I told him of my desire to resume running and he asked what I wanted to get out of it? I said the buzz of running, weight loss and general satisfaction. He asked was it my intention to compete again? I said no. He said, Ok so, let’s get you right for it, and he has!
I now run for 45mins 4 times a week on grass, I love it, I have lost 2 stone, I eat healthier, I feel better, I look better. I really don’t know what impact it's having on my body/hip, I'm pain free and I'm in a great place in my life right now. That’s gotta count for something.. I will deal with the consequences if and when they happen. I have heard a lot about don’t do it, don't be a fool, but I have yet to hear I know someone who did it and this happened to him/her. Will i ever race again? No, but the buzz I get out of the little bit of running I'm doing right now is worth the risk for me. I was always told by my parents to not let anyone tell me you can't. I didn't!

The way I see it is there is no way a Doctor is going to recommend running after a hip replacement, if anything goes wrong they are left open having recommended the activity.
 
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Well done to you. As another who has blatantly ignored doctor's guidance many times when I felt they were being over cautious I admire a kindred soul.
The cost is often pain and obvious risk, but if done sensibly and patiently the rewards are brilliant.
It usually comes down to how far you push yourself. Nowhere, gets you nowhere. A little gets you gradual progress, max does the same initially so moderation is actually better. Too much will put you further back than you started. Most people who have recovered from things like this will tell you it's the mental effect of losing some of your progress every now and then that is toughest to endure, but it always happens and failing to get through it means not getting the later progress.
 
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