Strenuous Exercise After Hip Replacement (Page 3)

Dear SSI,
if you search for 'hip strengthening exercises' on the web then you will find lots of helpful stuff that suits most folks. after your op then the physiotherapists will get you going pretty soon after. it almost feels too much too soon but its worth every step,grunt and yelp !
i had my new hip done 6 weeks ago today, i exercised pre op and am doing hydrotherapy at the moment which is fantastic. i cant quite get my sock on the operated side just yet but im close. im a 40 yr old male.
best of luck with your op,its worth it !

it's 8 mos after my hip replacement and i put my sox on abt 2 mos ago.. it was the most frustrating part of the whole thing...

Dear PBA,
how old are you ?

my hip was replaced when i was 58.. had osteoarthritis.
why did you need a replacement?

Avascular necrosis, i had a bit of an "off" whilst racing around the track on my motorbike. (apx 120 MPH).
i was also a binge drinker (not an alcoholic). and the combination of these pushed mother nature a bit too far.
I still like a drink but not to the same level as before, and these days i just watch the bike racing.
Guess that was my warning.

it's so nice to see that i'm not alone out there...i'm 31 yrs old and had a left total hip replacement exactly 6 weeks ago...the speed of the recovery was shocking...i'm walking w/ only 1 crutch now and by next week hopefully i'll be walking without, even though i'm not completely balanced due to week thigh muscles.
my knee hurts a little when i do my muscle exercises, but they said it was normal. also my leg is still sore at the incision and hematomas around the incision...but a part of that i feel great. i can't wait to work out. i would really recommend anyone w/ a hip replacement to stay away from jogging and high impact exercise such as step aerobics...my doctor told my if i really want to jog than to make sure not to run on a hard surface such as asphalt or stone, but rather do it on the professional tracks, which are sort of cushioned...
so i decided i wont jog but power walk instead, which is by the way very effective in losing weight and toning the muscles...you can add some dumbles to work the upper body while power walking... i can't wait guys!
i hope for at least 20-25 yrs before i need my secong hip replacement...
good luck to all og you out there...

i think you're wise to keep away from jogging. can't think of anything more harmful than the constant pounding of your new (or old for that matter) hip.
why not use the cross trainer instead ?

I stumbled on to this forum while looking for good exercises to do once I get my right hip replaced. Your stories and postings are all so inspirational! I am a 34 yr old mom and RN. I just got home from doctor visit where my hip was xrayed and shown to have bone on bone cartilage loss. I've been weepy and feeling sorry for myself thinking I would have to give up the hiking, backpacking and playing with my three boys that makes my life so complete. I see now that I will hopefully be able to do all these things...without the excrutiating pain that limits me now. Thank you all for sharing your stories! I am so encouraged!

I am a 45 year old male that just had my left hip replaced in September. My right was done 4 years ago. It is now 7 weeks since my surgery. I gave up using a cane three weeks ago and have been walking unassisted since. I can put on my own socks and tie my own shoes. I started going back to the gym 2 weeks ago and have been using the machines (for stability and taking proper percautions) and I have started swimming and riding a bike. I have no pain, just some slight muscle soreness after the workouts. I have been going to the Physical Therapist religiously and doing what he has shown me at home and in the gym. I started out with basic exercises, graduated to leg lifting machines and have now moved on to balance and agility. I feel great and will continue to get stronger and more active. If an old over weight bald man like me can do it, you can too!

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are. Epictetus

Hi OhThree -- I am wondering now that some time has passed what wieght machines you are able to use and if there are any you must avoid? I am also wondering if your capacity has increased or decresed i.e. do you focus on high reps of low weight or heavier weights?

I am a 64 year old male who crashed while bicycle touring in Cuba in May of 2007. That lead to two total hip replacement operations, the last three months ago. I am able to bicycle ten miles three to four times a week and am training for a three day 185 mile bicycle tour of the Canadian Rockies next May which I have completed several times previously. I am riding a one speed crusier bicycle right now but am worried about going back to my road bike which will create a less than 90 degree bend between my thigh and body which I have been warned to avoid. Has anyone experience riding a road bike after hip replacement surgery?

Hi Starbuck45 -- This is a really interesting question -- i am wondering what answers you came up with -- is it ok to go past 50 degrees on the bike for long distance rides?

I am now 52 yr old female. Had THR 11 yrs ago. I am very active and always searching out ways to enjoy activities that will not impact my hip. I have done Pilates as my main source of exercise and it has been very helpful. I find with the hip however you need to use the Reformer machine and not matt classes that are more readily available. Pilates Reformers are expensive and learning the skill can cost a small fortune. The reformaer machine seems to aid me in the lifting of the leg, whereas on the floor without the springs of the machine I have no support.
The wonderful thing is that you are able to workout evenly and the reformer really doesn't allow your body to tilt to your stronger side.
My question to you all is do any of you experience a pain while just sitting at the 90 degree angle too long or being in a situation that is stressing that area? I have never really been able to beat the pain in that area.
I also wonder how many of you do spinning as your exercise? I think that may be a good way to stay cardiovascular fit as Pilates does not aid in any aerobic type workout. Look forward to your replies.

I am 48, female and had THR on both hips and a TKR in one year. It hasn't been 5 years yet and I have started having problems with pain in my left hip and leg. Just had a bone scan today and there might be a chance that my replacement is loose. I was born with both hips dislocated (congenital hip) and have many other problems such as one leg being shorter than the other, scoliosis and other problems due to the original hip problem. Will probably need a TKR on remaining knee within a few years. I am very upset about the problem with my left hip. I feel that I have caused this problem as I exercise quite a bit. I swim, ride both incumbent and road bike, row, walk both outside and on treadmill, and weight train. Nothing high impact. I wonder if it was too much exercise. I need to exercise to control my weight and feel I have no other option but to exercise this much. I was hoping to get at least 15 years much less 5 years and am worried that this will keep happening. I do know that each revision gets harder to do and is less successful. I had the head of orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester do both hips so as far as I'm concerned I had the best. Comments would be greatly appreciated.

My husband has had the total HR and both knees done..He has had to learn along the way, that this is a wonderful surgery, however, it does not give you new limbs...You have to learn to respect this and alter your life accordingly...I wish I could tell you different, but I can't...My best advice would be to eat less or more varied instead of trying to work it off...Good luck...

Caroline

I'm a 33 year old male who had his right hip replaced due to aseptic necrosis which is also in early stages in my left hip. I am exactly four weeks post-op today and could not be happier with the outcome. Before the surgery I was full time on crutches and could not bear any weight on my right leg due to the severe pain. I am barely using my cane today and only for balance due to the leg lenght discrepency. Pain is virtually gone and I am exstatic!

I have a metal on metal prosthesis (Cobalt-Chrome) and the surgeon says it has a life expectancy of 15-25 years but they don't have long term studies on the metal on metal prosthetics. Is that what everyone else is being told by their surgeons?

I've also read about "metal ions" building up in your blood stream from metal on metal wear. Apparently they aren't supposed to be a problem. Has anyone heard or experience any problems associated with this?

I'm so happy to have found this thread! I had THR on my left hip in July & the right one done almost 3 weeks ago. I see my surgeon next week for my first follow-up for the right hip. I'm SO grateful to be able to stand without that horrible pain (not to mention walk). I'm doing quite well; already walking without the use of the cane most the time.

I am anxious to make going to the gym a regular part of my life again. Before surgeries, I was hardly able to walk & I have gained weight over the years; I have about 80 lbs to lose.

My question is, should I really push to have the doc refer me to physical therapy? This particular one doesn't seem to think it's all that necessary, but I'm thinking it could be a good jump start for me to get into an exercise regimen, using proper form.

Thanks for any feedback!

I'm a 55 yr old woman who had both hips replaced, 1st one 5 years ago, second one 4 years ago. I used to be a rower and loved to run, which I had to give up a couple of years pre-op due to the pain. Some days the pain was so bad I couldn't stand. The hip replacements were the best thing I ever did. I just wish I had been more insistent with the doctors when they told me I was too young. I still workout almost every day but stick with the elliptical, bike and light weights. I have absolutely no problem with tying shoes, etc. I would urge everyone who has a replacement to have physio therapy. As soon as I was able to drive, 4 weeks post op, I started therapy a few times a week and it really helps with strengthening and range of motion. Insist on it and good luck!

I am a 43 year old mom of 3 boys ages 13 to 9. I had my right hip replaced sept of 09 and my left one done dec 09. Im recovering much faster the second time and am so greatful the pain is gone. Befor surgery I cleaned houses for a living and loved working out at the gym on the eliptical and lifting weights. I am wondering about the whole breaking the 90' thing. I have the ceramic with a hightec polomer type appliance which is what my doctor recomended for my age and activity level. Has anyone else had concerns about coming out of socket? Im very careful but i got this done so I could have great quality of life with my husband and boys and now im worried about it. Like will i ever be able to do ab work again or sit on the floor or sit on the grass to fish etc. I need re-inforcement and incouragement. Is there anyone out there who can answer any of my questions from there expierence?? Thanks I will be waiting.

Hi,i am 65 and had a total metal hip replacement just over two years ago. Everything went great and still is except that I seem to get a few odd pains in the hip and thigh every so often. I walk a fair alone and with my dog, which means hard and fast and I was wondering if this would be the reason for the aches and pains. I don't do half as much exercise as the rest of you though.

Hi guernsey:..You are older than the other posters and must respect your age...Each person is different...Each body structure varies...How each of us walk and swing our hips is not the same...Stresses are put on a joint a certain way...Some hurt and some don't...My husband will have had his hip replacement surgery two years this May...He is still older than you are...He will never use a treadmill again...We gave that away...It was too punishing...Even now when he comes up the stairs from his hobby area, I find if his hip his sore that he will take one step at a time...With two knee replacements to go along with his new hip, he counts his blessing....Not to worry on your hip, you are doing just fantastic...Take care...

Caroline

dear nevns
i loved going to pt after my hip replacement..
btw...i recently lost 30lbs... did it by walking and eating healthy. i sound really boring, but initially i gave up "white" and sugars.. (cept for fruits).. made sure i had bkfst daily..and really did portion control.. all my joints feel better too..