Hip replacement and cycling

Littgull
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Joined: 21 Jun 2009, 9:36am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by Littgull »

Shepard wrote:Hi,

I am 68 and had my total hip replacement 8 weeks ago today. I've been a keen, perhaps obsessive sport person all my life, which is what earned me the worn hip. But it also instilled in me the desire to get going after injury. My consultant and physio gave what seems to be the usual advice. Get moving straight away, follow the exercises, OBEY the articulation restrictions strictly and Don't overdo it. The latter was the most difficult!!! As for cycling, certainly ok after 12 weeks but if I was to try riding my bike earlier then be careful on bike set up DO NOT infringe articulation rules and take it easy!!
I recovered quickly from op, was walking easily on one stick by the six week appointment and discharged by surgeon and physio.at that point. My walking has steadily increased to the point where I did a walk of 3km yesterday and total steps for the day of just over 9000. I am setting up my mountain bike on the turbo as its a bit more comfortable than road bike with a more upright position. I plan to start on very light sessions at the 9week point and see how I feel. Keep you posted.

That is a very inspirational report. Fantastic progress and advice!
K1566
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Joined: 26 Jul 2014, 11:06am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by K1566 »

I’ve just turned 59 and have got my THR booked in for Sept.
Having read the posts on here I’m encouraged about how people can get back to riding and achieve their personal goals.
I’m nervous about it to say the least as road riding is my passion. But currently I’m getting frustrated by constant pain only relieved by going for a ride up to about 20miles before it gets sore ,so it needs doing.
I want to get over to the Alps when I’ve fully recovered to attempt some of the famous Cols either on my solo or tandem to tick off the bucket list.
Thanks for all the advice posted on here
De Sisti
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Joined: 17 Jun 2007, 6:03pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by De Sisti »

I had my operation on 2 May this year. I can manage rides of 50+ miles (albeit a lot slower than before the procedure).
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Cunobelin
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Joined: 6 Feb 2007, 7:22pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by Cunobelin »

Reading with interest..

I am on day 10 post op and my Kettwiesel is looking at me accusingly.....

I had a couple of complications, so the restrictions and “do not over do it” are more important as I have a higher risk of dislocation

I am still limited by swelling and bruising, although I managed a 1.5 mile shopping trip on foot yesterday, I am targeting 3,000 steps daily by this weekend, 5,000 as a atarget by the following weekend, and then see how it goes.

I do not feel as if I am overdoing it, and am applying the
‘If it doesn’t feel uncomfortable” rule

The trikes will have to wait a little while, but my long term ambition is to get back to tha Annual “fitness test” of the Isle of Wight Randonnee in 2020
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Cunobelin
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Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by Cunobelin »

What does make me smile......

A few years ago when my hip pain started to limit my cycling, I had to come to the realization that I was getting older.

i would never even have contemplated reading a thread like this, never mind entering into the discussion
K1566
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Joined: 26 Jul 2014, 11:06am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by K1566 »

I’m due to have a hip replacement in three weeks,I’m 59 and have been active cyclist ,walker etc all my life.
To say the least I’m anxious about the surgery and whether I will be able to realistically return to my previous level of fitness.
I considering postponing the operation until I’m older and just managing the arthritis with medication.
I keep asking myself the following questions
Will I be able to use clipless pedals after the replacement,can I swing my leg over the cross bar,can I climb out the saddle.
Will the joint pain disappear altogether and will mobility be significantly increased. If not then I’m reluctant to put myself through the surgery.
De Sisti
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Joined: 17 Jun 2007, 6:03pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by De Sisti »

@K1566, I had my second hip replacement on 2nd May this year. I am walking a mile to work and doing
50 mile bike rides. However, there was lots of pain (post operation) to put up with. Do the exercises
the medical staff give you (even if it hurts); they'll hurt less the more you do them and your flexibility
will come back quicker.

I'm not fully recovered; as there is still some scar tissue underneath the incision and some stiffness
around the new joint. Progress is continuing (as expected) at a slow rate.
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Mick F
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Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by Mick F »

Mick F wrote:I was cycling a few weeks ago down in West Cornwall, and met up with a rider whilst on my way towards St Ives. We chatted as we rode along. He was 67 and had two new knees and a new hip.

I was impressed ......... to say the least ............... and he said that his specialist advised him to keep cycling as it strengthens the muscles without straining the joints. Having a strong musculature is the way forward for replacement joints.
I met him again recently during my ride down at Penzance/Hayle/Camborne.

We chatted briefly, but he was in hurry to get home to St Ives. He said he'd not been cycling much over the last six months as he was doing a great deal of home improvements - primarily bathroom - but he was as fit as a fiddle and left me for dead. :oops:
Mick F. Cornwall
FREDO
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Joined: 21 May 2009, 1:01pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by FREDO »

K1566 wrote:I’m due to have a hip replacement in three weeks,I’m 59 and have been active cyclist ,walker etc all my life.
To say the least I’m anxious about the surgery and whether I will be able to realistically return to my previous level of fitness.
I considering postponing the operation until I’m older and just managing the arthritis with medication.
I keep asking myself the following questions
Will I be able to use clipless pedals after the replacement,can I swing my leg over the cross bar,can I climb out the saddle.
Will the joint pain disappear altogether and will mobility be significantly increased. If not then I’m reluctant to put myself through the surgery.

Hi,
I was in the same position as you just over a year ago at 69,decided to go ahead and glad that I did now, although I had complications after the operation not related to the hip replacement I am now 100% percent better regarding pain and mobility.
In my case when the anaesthetic (I had a spinal and sedation) wore off and I started my exercises(next day) apart from the discomfort from swelling etc the nagging aching pain that I had before was gone. Followed the surgeons advice to follow the instructions I was given re physiotherapy exercises and the risk of dislocation until after 12 weeks and then after using first an exercise bike to build the muscles damaged by the operation, I started using my mountain bike first and then my road bike, no problems clipping in started quite loose first until confident again. Good luck. let us know how you get on.
reohn2
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Joined: 26 Jun 2009, 8:21pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by reohn2 »

Have it done.
I'm 16months post operation.
I was surprised how little pain I was in after the op and once walking,initially on crutches,recovered very quickly 3 to 4weeks I was fit and healthy walking faster and longer than I'd been for sometime.
Don't worry about using clipless pedals or articulation of the new hip once the musclature has repaired itself post op,everything will return to normal and without or with very little pain
My main concern was falling off the bike but I was reassured at the hospital that the new hip is robust and very strong.
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"All we are not stares back at what we are"
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AndyAcciaio
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Joined: 28 Aug 2018, 1:23am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by AndyAcciaio »

K1566 wrote:I’m due to have a hip replacement in three weeks,I’m 59 and have been active cyclist ,walker etc all my life.
To say the least I’m anxious about the surgery and whether I will be able to realistically return to my previous level of fitness.
I considering postponing the operation until I’m older and just managing the arthritis with medication.
I keep asking myself the following questions
Will I be able to use clipless pedals after the replacement,can I swing my leg over the cross bar,can I climb out the saddle.
Will the joint pain disappear altogether and will mobility be significantly increased. If not then I’m reluctant to put myself through the surgery.


Hi K1566, I thought I'd jump in. I think theres a crucial point were your muscle strength begins to decline and it will make recovery harder. Once youre bone on bone, then give up, its going no where good. Ive been really dumb and waited, now the femoral head has collapsed.

The aspects you've mentioned were on my list as well. What I discovered was to go for a Dual Mobility transplant, theres close to zero chance of dislocation and you'll have a near normal range of movement, so that weird twist out of the clips is fine. Also, avoid a ceramic on ceramic, they can squeak and the liners can crack under impact. Its near impossible to explain to surgeons the abuse you'll put the implants to, as they go by averages (for a 65 yrs old), except long distance cyclists are not average.
K1566
Posts: 99
Joined: 26 Jul 2014, 11:06am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by K1566 »

[url][/url]Thanks for all your replies, I’m going to have it done I know it makes sense.
Regarding epidural and sedation are you aware of what’s going on or are you completely out of it. Think I’m going to go that route as recovery from anaesthetic is quicker I believe.
reohn2
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Joined: 26 Jun 2009, 8:21pm

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by reohn2 »

K1566 wrote:[url][/url]Thanks for all your replies, I’m going to have it done I know it makes sense.
Regarding epidural and sedation are you aware of what’s going on or are you completely out of it. Think I’m going to go that route as recovery from anaesthetic is quicker I believe.

I had it done epidural/sedation and know anything until I was being wheeled to the ward :)
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"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
overthehill2
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Joined: 3 Jan 2015, 8:15am

Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by overthehill2 »

I had a THR in Nov 17, aged 54. I was gently back on a turbo trainer a couple of weeks post op & back on the road (flat bar) after a month for my first 10 miler. I also attended Strength & Conditioning physio for an hour a week for 12 weeks which I'm convinced was a huge help to getting back fitness & confidence. I progressed to drop bars about 4 months post op with no problems. I am now cycling normally, both road & mtb and have done 3900 miles so far this year. I'm no expert and I don't know how long the THR will last but my advice to anyone in pain is to get the op done, keep as fit as possible pre op, and get good physio to aid a quick recovery.
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squeaker
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Re: Hip replacement and cycling

Post by squeaker »

K1566 wrote:Regarding epidural and sedation are you aware of what’s going on or are you completely out of it. Think I’m going to go that route as recovery from anaesthetic is quicker I believe.
Had a right THR 4 weeks ago. You are very aware (but not uncomfortable) when the epidural is being administered, but then are 'out for the count' - last thing I remember is being transferred onto the operating table. Woke up in the recovery area prior to return to the ward, but epidural lasted for about 6 hours after the op. (catheter required to pass urine - handy as I didn't need to get up in the night for my usual 'walk'!). My top tip is not to have a spicy lunch the following day - in retrospect, an egg sandwich might have been a better option than a veg chilli... :roll: :oops:
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