Daspydyr 

I am a year post op on both hips. I started riding again after a 10 year lay off. Fell in love with riding, again. Will the motion of riding wear out the joint early? I used to be an agressive Mountain biker, now I just own a good bike with commuter tires. (What a sad statement!) Is there anyone out there riding with new hips? Whats the experience like?

Barry in GA

Modern hip replacements, especially the metal-on-metal versions, are extremely durable and with the exception of off-road stuff, riding a bike is probably easier on your hips than walking. I have also had both hips replaced; the right in 1998 and the left a little over a year ago. I started riding regularly (with my doctor's approval) 6 months after my last replacement and have never had any problems. My only limitation is that I don't have enough lateral flexibility to throw a leg over the saddle.

Check with your doctor, but unless you have some unusual situation, I can't imagine why your hip replacements would prevent you from riding regularly.

goinfs

I have a 65 years old friend who has had both her hips replaced ( about 5 years ago) Her main sport is paddling but we often go for a 30 to 50 mile bike ride. She has a womans type bike (ie no top tube) so lifting her leg over the bar is not an issue. I say go for it and good luck to you,

Hipcycler

Over 26,000 miles on my right hip total replacement, done in Nov. of 2000.

Does it work?
Oh hell ya.

If you want more info shoot me an email at
hipcycler@hotmail.com

kabersch

I had my right hip replaced in 1987, at the age of 32. I skied on it for 14 years as a volunteer Ski Patroller. Had a revision done in 2001. In 2003, 2004, and 2007 I did the Seattle to Portland ride. Right now I try to ride 70-100 miles a week. And I'm working up to more.

BTW, I don't have as much trouble getting my leg over the saddle as I used to. Stretching helps, but ask your doctor first.

Kevin

bigtea

In December, 2008, I had a horrific bike accident while riding solo. Basically I slipped on ice while in a turn and fractured my acetabulum and pelvis. Seven hours of surgery and a lot of titanium pins, plates, and screws later I began a long recovery. It will never be the same, but I did my first ride 5 months after the accident. I'm up to about 35 mile rides (2+ hours) now. However I only ride 2x a week. Swimming laps and the elliptical trainer are now a part of my fitness regimen. The swimming, especially the breast stroke, has done wonders for my lateral flexibility and I highly recommend it.

Daspydyr 

Thanks all, I'm aiming for 50 miles this weekend. Throwing caution to the wind, I don my Spydyr suit and look to the open road, paved and dirt! HAHAHAHAHAHHAA!

geraldatwork

I am 8 weeks post surgery on my left hip and I have been riding since 19 days post surgery where I did a flat 10 miles. I rode last 46 miles Saturday (7 weeks 5 days) for the first time with my group at the local club.
My Hip Replacement Blog started a few weeks pre surgery 3 pages back.
https://geraldatwork.blogspot.com/

CHAS

Take pictures, Spydyr suit and all

Daspydyr 

OK, you asked for it. The Spydyr jersey is coming out of moth balls. I hope i can find it!

nickbubblehead

I am wondering is cycling is bad for your hips. I am of the belief that it someone has been a long term cyclist, it would make your hip and joints stronger. Any thoughts on this?

Daspydyr 

Funny you should ask, I just met another 50+ rider at Costco. We had a good chat about how cycling has improved our conditioning. We feel benefits in the cardio, legs, HIPS and back. Many of the 50+ crowd I believe would say it not only makes us physically better, but kids the kid inside of us entertained.

Daspydyr 

Here it is I hope!

If you expand the picture you can see the Vegas Strip, barely, behind me.

geraldatwork

Cycling has been good so far for my new hip. I did a 53 mile ride last Saturday at 8 weeks and 5 days post op and didn't have any pain the next day. I did ice the hip though after the ride.
https://geraldatwork.blogspot.com/

Daspydyr 

In addition to riding, I try to get 3-5 miles of walking per week. I received Encore Hips. They are Ceramic and Titanium. They don't use an adhesive to secure either the ball or socket. They lengthen your leg @1/2 inch and use the tension created by tissues and muscle stretching. Walking helps secure the joint in place. I also try to do some resistance exercise; extensions, leg presses, ham string curls for bone health. My surgeon advised to keep the weight lower and do more reps.

Gerald, I read through your blogspot. You have had an adventure and fought though a lot more pain than I did. You are also putting in more miles than me, and I am 13 months post op. Good for you!

Poohah

Ask your doctor for sure but I'd be really surprised if he/she didn't pick cycling as the #1 aerobic exercise for post surgery hip replacement patients-with the possible exception of walking. Zero impact (if you don't fall down), which is what will wear out the prosthesis, and excellent exercise. The first doctor I saw about my hips, who was a sports doc who specialized in triathletes, told me cycling is actually good for your hips as you get movement without impact.

Telvis

I had my right hip replaced 10 years ago. I had complications and needed a revision a week later. I still have some pain and it’s definitely not perfect. I walk with a bit of a limp. I started riding again almost 3 months ago after a 20+ year break. I don’t ride as much as a lot of folks here but I do ride at least 5 times a week. I am up to 15 miles minimum and try to get 25 to 30 on Sundays. My legs were very weak when I started. That had nothing to do with the hip. Frankly, I get absolutely no pain or issues in my hip from riding. When I first started back my flexibility was poor and getting my leg over the bar was painful. I just leaned the bike over a bit more to make it easier. Since I have been riding regularly that’s no longer a problem.

Barry in GA

Holy dead thread resurrection!

JanMM

Yep, thread dead for more than a decade but Daspydyr still posts on BF.