running after hip replacement

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I had my left hip done after end stage OA was observed and had THR using the anterior approach in late October, 10 days after the Hawaiian Ironman. Recovery has been fantastic, was riding my trainer after two weeks, and at 8 weeks, was running a half hour on the treadmill. I usually crank up the incline as to minimize impact on the hip capsule.

My prosthesis is metal on metal, with an oversized Femoral head to accomodate my activity level. At this point I am very optimistic about future Saturday morning trail runs.

Yes, everyone is different.

I'm 60 years old and had a minimally invasive hip replacement 3 years ago. I'm a surgeon and was an avid runner before my hip wore out. I tried jogging every year after my surgery. This is the first year I didn't have stem pain. I started slow and am now running 5 days a week and I have run 2 10ks. My surgeon said that the prosthesis is like a car and if you drive it hard it won't last as long. With this in mind I would rather have a couple less active years.

I had my first THR at 60. I ran for 8 years before, and successfully continued after THR. There are certain limitations and basic rules to follow but no real restrictions on distance or speed of running. I am 64 now and saw no adverse affects of THR on running.

The only thing which was slowing me down lately, was my second hip. The coming Monday it too will be repaired and I am looking forward to continue running for a few more years.

I had bilateral Hip Replacement back in 1998 at the age of 35, this year I ran the Atlanta ING ½ marathon in 2:26 and I’m currently training to run the Space Coast Marathon in November. You can read about my story and training here,

http://tiny.cc/kxt8c

You can run but pay attention to your body, maybe i should at least I can run.

Dear limping

Me too.

I'm also 63, have a bad shoulder and two bad hips. I'm pretty damn good in my age division and the late 50's division to boot. I actually beat the majority in all the younger divisions as well. Problem is that I've just been diagnosed with bilateral hip joint degeneration. AKA Osteoarthritis and it's in the sacroiliac joints and lower lumbar region of the spine as well.

My sports medicine doctor told me if I continue to run I will be forced to stop in a year, or so, and at that point will be crippled. He also claims hip joint replacements have a lot of problems like infection, breakage and even falling out. Yeek.

I understand wanting to continue running (it's the thing I love most), but why would you want to:

1)race 5KM only to have a crappy time like 27 minutes? Even for old dogs like us, that's not a good time. You know that having been a full minute and a half per mile faster just two years ago.

2)Why would you want to run so much on a treadmill? You aren't out in nature, you're just pounding on a machine. Why wreck yourself for that? Hike, deep water run and use an eliptical strider instead. Your running has just become exercise anyway, why wreck yourself when you have alternatives?

How about saving your running mileage (which probably should be minimal) for running on groomed trails or dirt roads in beautiful places. Wouldn't running a forested mountain ridge be a better choice? Maybe hike and run mixed a day or two per week. Get the endorphins, breath the fresh air and experience some beauty. Make it special.

My doctor said if I wanted to run it should be on sand (ultra soft surface). Right. Why the hell would anyone want to do that? They might as well use a stairmaster, while watching T.V.

I'm saving what I have left for special runs. Beautiful places especially when there is dramatic weather.

Nobody with a grain of sense would run after a hip replacement. The reason it doesn't hurt is because the prosthesis IS NOT INNERVATED and is incapable of sensing pain. You will only start to hurt when the prosthesis finally loosens from wear, at which point you're f***ed. In summary, DO NOT RUN WITH A HIP REPLACEMENT. The people doing this are idiots and will pay the price.

Anyone who gets a hip replacement is an idiot.

Doctor

Thanks from everyone (except those who don't want to hear) for making a really good point~~~STEEL and CERAMIC DON'T HAVE NERVES. No nerves, no pain, everything is wonderful. NO. You could dope yourself up and set your hand on fire too.

Pain is our friend. It tells us when we are doing something stupid. I want that feedback so I can make an educated judgement of whether I can continue or not. Too bad they don't have artificial joints with biofeedback!!

Campeona et. al.

Take a look at Mrs Barrow's (bilateral hip transplant)picture in the Running times article you site.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15742

Her plant foot's thigh looks to be really medially rotated. her knees are banging. Looks very stressful on the knee. Wonder if that's a product of the extra mobility in the artificial joints or just weak glute muscles? Amazing that she can run so well on those two artificial joints. Her times are great for her age/sex class.

A train wreck waiting to happen, or an inspiration?

I have run for 30 years(just turned 50) and done 10 marathons. I had a thr 4 months ago --my hip was on the wrong angle since birth and i am sure the mileage speed up the degeneration. Nothing about my symptoms or procedure were typical. I ran a marathon only 6 months before my surgery as i had little symptoms of the osteoarthritis even though it was severe. Suddenly the pain was so excruitating i had trouble walking--and the pain presented itself in my back. Of course we checked for back problems first and none appeared though i am not so sure something wasn't missed. The hip healed quickly and beautifully--range of motion is great. unfortunately noone talks about surgical complications and it is something to be aware of. My femoral nerve was stretched during surgery(or maybe that was the pain prior to surgery?). This cause my quad to shut down and terrible nerve pain. four months later things are much better...quad muscle is about 80 percent, pain is minimul and i hope for a full recovery. Running now is something that is possible for me to think about in the near term but not until the muscle fully recovers. My doc says running is fine as long as i don't do long distances. HOWEVER, given the pain of the recovery, this is not something i would like to do again and i think i will find alternate forms of exercise to enjoy! good luck to everyone else, but please keep in mind that surgery poses risks.

Runnig after a joint replacement is the most irresponsible thing you can do.

I had both hips replaced in 2007,seven weeks apart. I walked 2 miles one week after each hip. 6 weeks after the second I started a run-walk. The first time I ran I only went about 150 yards,then walked about a half mile then ran another 150 yards, then I walked about a half mile home. It had been three years since I had run, so I was happy to be able to start even though it hurt. With in three weeks I made it up to two miles and slowly increased miles and my pace slowly improved. Fast forward three years,oct. 3rd 2010 I ran and finished the twincities marathon in 4:22:23.I'm calling it a full recovery. Not only was my Dr. aware of my running he wanted a picture for his wall of patients doing things other Dr.s don't want there patients to do. The trick is finding the right Dr.

I have a friend who has had a lifelong dream of running a 5k and eventually a marathon. Pace isn't important to her. She is about 5'5 and slightly larger/out of shape with no history of running in her late 40's. She has hip pain and has been told eventually she will need a replacement. I really want to help her but need some assistance in coming up with a workout template, i.e. 4 weeks walk 2 miles 4 x per week, 4 weeks walk 3 miles 4 x per week, 4 weeks light jog 1/2 mile & 2 mile walk 3 x per week...all the way up to run/walking a 5k. Can someone help me? Yes I know it will depend on her pain level and what her doctor says, but I wonder if any of you have done or heard of it being done, and in doing so, how she could ease into it? As she begins to lose weight through the activity increase, I'm hoping it would mitigate the inflammation that will be simultaneously caused by the increase in activity. Thanks!

Hi Badger,

I've just had a very negative consultation with my hip surgeon who told me to stop running following my hip replacement. How has your hip replacement stood up to your training regime?

John

Hi,

I had a Birmingham hip (in Birmingham) and am interested in how your hip has stood up to youir running?

John

A lot of people on this thread are hating on the idea of doing impact exercise after a full hip implant. The truth is, little to no research has been done on this topic as most people getting hip replacements are elderly, and unlikely to be interested in such activity. Surgeons tend to err on the side of caution, because "failed implants" mess with their status (and do a little google search of Depuy hip implant recall if you think that failed implants are a big cash grab...).

I have contacts in the land of orthopaedics (hip implants specifically) research and orthopaedic surgeons. My father also has a full artificial hip implant (he was in a car crash in his 20's and had to have it replaced in his 30's). He was active in sports before and after the surgery (running, alpine skiing, cycling, etc) and this has not had an impact on the life of his implant. He had a revision ~17 years after the original implant. He is about your age now, and doesn't have any problems with hip pain while running (he is more of a weekend warrior and does not run daily, but will go for an hour run and do hill repeats). Other than running, he usually cycles for 1-2 hrs/day most days.

While I am no expert, I would imagine that being inactive is more harmful to your health and the success of any future revisions than not. If you are able to do with activity without pain, it is probably okay. Just make sure you do lots of strengthening exercises on the stabilizer muscles of your hip and get into things gradually.

hello I am a 47 year old male who enjoys running, my runs are usually 5 to 7 miles outside 3 to 4 times a week. I enjoy running and it has helped me with weight control a lot. I started having pain in my right hip area and finally went to the doc and found out I will eventually need replacement surgery. My question is will I be able to get back to running after? I am not worried about speed at all, I don't do any races but would like to continue my slow pace running.

I had a THP at age 47 myself,I was told I SHOULDN'T run after recovery but was never told specifically not to. Within a year I was back to running 5k races,..(even did a 10k,but I prefer the 5)..I've run about a half dozen in the last couple years, (..along with the training needed) and after a follow up with my surgeon,my X-Rays showed I had absolutely no wear on the artificial hip joint. After hearing this I admitted to him that I had returned to 5k racing,..his reply was...."I'd prefer you get a bike,but I'm honestly not very concerned with a 5k giving much wear"

My opinion,if it's something you enjoy and love doing,continue at your own comfort. I do eventually want to get a bicycle,but not for a couple years,I enjoy it too much to stop now.

What about some of us older cats in our 60s getting total hip replacements? I got multiple opinions on my arthritic hip and was consistently told no running...period! So, why are you getting the green light to run?