60 and contemplating hip replacement surgery

running still? wrote:

Seeking any information from anyone who has undergone hip replacement surgery.

I'm 60 and my left hip is riddled with arthritis. Incurred a soft tissue injury - primarily hip flexor - while running too many short, fast repeats over a period of a few months. Went to an orthopedist who took x-rays that revealed how extensive the arthritis was. Never had any major hip problems - some mobility issues - throughout my running career but can't say I was surprised by what the x-rays revealed - my mother had some serious arthritis.

Thanks in advance.

Running hard after hip replacement surgery is not advisable in my book but some people do it. Hip replacement surgery is getting more and more sophisticated and improvements are being seen from year to year. However I would not take the risk of running after hip replacement surgery. Like many of my friends I would focus on walking, swimming, cycling and other less traumatic sports.You have the choice that if you want to continue running then you will compromise the mechanics of the prosthetic in your hip and maybe need a hip replacement a second time and the problem with that is that it can never be done as well as the first time. That is why I would not do any serious running after hip replacement surgery, it’s just not worth it.

I believe there's also a FB support group and Instagram page

My dad has his done at 72 and he is still running five miles a day at 82. He has his other hip done two years ago.

I've known a couple people to have one or both hips replaced (including my dad). Everyone recovered relatively quick and was much better off after mobility wise, but they were slowed before. None were runners before or after. I probably wouldn't run on it, but that's just me. I like to run for exercise, but I could find something else to pursue.

running still? wrote:

Seeking any information from anyone who has undergone hip replacement surgery.

I'm 60 and my left hip is riddled with arthritis. Incurred a soft tissue injury - primarily hip flexor - while running too many short, fast repeats over a period of a few months. Went to an orthopedist who took x-rays that revealed how extensive the arthritis was. Never had any major hip problems - some mobility issues - throughout my running career but can't say I was surprised by what the x-rays revealed - my mother had some serious arthritis.

Thanks in advance.

If you're not actually in pain from the arthritis (it sounds like you aren't?), you might consider putting it off for the time being. Imaging can and does find "issues" that aren't worth fixing.

Sure, maybe you get the hip replaced at 70, but that's another 10 years of running. Nothing is promised after you replace the hip.

Not sure about runners, but I have several friends who are very active pickleball players who have hip replacements. One has had both replaced. He moves around the court pretty good. Again, not runners.

O.C.D! You have turned your hip bones into powdered chalk and you want to find other like minded O.C.D. runners on this site. Take up sailing or yachting or another activity that willing not cause further damage. Bo Jackson had the wisdom to walk away from Am. football after hip surgery. Choose to be wise.

Sorry about the hip(s). Friend of mine is having both replaces. First one was 3 weeks ago and next one is in 3 weeks. The surgery takes 45 minutes. Out patient procedure for full replacement. They hope to resume running once completely healed. From what I have seen people with hip replacements should not take up running but current runners could attempt to return to running in some capacity. I think that this is one of those very individual things. Perhaps once you are healed you can decide if it is worth wearing out the new hip at a faster rate than non-running activities is worth it.

running still? wrote:

Seeking any information from anyone who has undergone hip replacement surgery.

I'm 60 and my left hip is riddled with arthritis. Incurred a soft tissue injury - primarily hip flexor - while running too many short, fast repeats over a period of a few months. Went to an orthopedist who took x-rays that revealed how extensive the arthritis was. Never had any major hip problems - some mobility issues - throughout my running career but can't say I was surprised by what the x-rays revealed - my mother had some serious arthritis.

Thanks in advance.

I'm 67. I had a hip replacement almost 3 years ago. Best thing ever. I regained full mobility in the joint with no pain. I was able to run - even sprint - but didn't do long distance - and I played singles tennis again without inhibition.

However the other joint has now signalled it is also due - so I've put myself in line for having that one done.

I dont know if I would recommend hard or long running workouts after a replacement but to regain full and pain-free mobility for the rest of your years is sufficient reason to do it. Your present arthritic joint is only going to get worse.

you need a psychologist wrote:

O.C.D! You have turned your hip bones into powdered chalk and you want to find other like minded O.C.D. runners on this site. Take up sailing or yachting or another activity that willing not cause further damage. Bo Jackson had the wisdom to walk away from Am. football after hip surgery. Choose to be wise.

Bo went to a more hip demanding sport. Baseball! Not so wise, huh?

Did u do the 2nd hip? Results?

I've had both hips replaced via direct anterior approach (ceramic on highly cross-linked polyethylene).

Please ask me whatever you wish. If you need to talk on the phone, we could also do that.

Personally I would return to running after the surgery but cut down the mileage, keep the intervals and run every second day, either cycling or cross training or on an outdoor elliptical on the non running days.

At some point, it becomes more about preservation than incurring more damage. I'd still keep running though. Hips are way better to get replaced than knees.

Had both hips replaced last year. One in June and the second one in December. Other than ditching my wife...best move ever. I'm hiking like a fool and no problems whatsoever. If you are talking about it, you are ready for it. As someone mentioned, the direct anterior approach. I was walking without crutches in a day. As someone else mentioned....the anterior approach is the way to go!

I had hip resurfacing about 7 months ago. Im very happy with the results. I’m 57. With hip resurfacing you retain more of own bone but the surgery is more demanding and takes longer to recover from compared to a total hip replacement. Watch the movie Resurfacing about Andy Murray’s hip resurfacing surgeon and recovery.

I had the second hip done a couple of years ago. Even better. I was back on the tennis court 2 months after my operation and I had full mobility only a few months later - and pain-free. If I had amnesia and couldn't recall my operations I wouldn't believe that I have two metal hips. There isn't anything I can't do that I would wish and there is no pain or discomfort in those joints - or referred pain elsewhere.

When it comes to running, that isn't a problem but I prefer my more vigorous activity to be on the tennis court.

What is key to a more successful operation is to remain active - but not reckless - so that the muscles and tendons that support the joint remain strong. And keep your weight down. Without my replacements I would have been shuffling around today with a stick and in constant misery.

*I mean try and stay active before you are operated on. Of course you should be active after.

Take this for what it's worth. I had a gluteus medius insertional tendon partial tear. (Not a hip bone obviously, but...)

My doctor recommended that I switch to a carbon plate shoe to lessen the impact on the tendon. I did. It was night and day difference.

Of course, a shoe isn't going to cure the hip problem, but for anyone contemplating putting off hip replacement for a few more years, you might want to try a carbon plate shoe.

I found that the Atreyu Artist was best at overall pain reduction. The Nike Vaporfly Next% was also great. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 and Speed 2 didn't work as well. Those were the only carbon plate shoes I tried when I was still in pain from the tendon injury. Anyway, I'm just sharing an idea. Best of luck.

This is very important. There are still doctors, some with good reputations performing posterior hip replacements. I met with one that told me I would never run again and risked popping it out of place bending to pick something up or tying my shoe. Obviously I moved on until I found someone good who performed a direct anterior replacement as lol+ did also. I have not had a single issue and run, hike, lift weights, etc.

My brother-in-law is an RN at a large hospital. He said EVERY person he has met who contemplated a hip replacement and put it off regretted it. The sooner/younger you are, the easier recovery/rehab and quicker you get back to anything you want with no pain. He also made it very clear that an anterior replacement is the only way to go.

Good luck!