Hip replacement surfing restrictions

[RaggaP]

Nice, I was born in Linz. I live and surf in Satellite Beach, Florida!

[paddlingwaves]

Hello John, my dad had a hip replaced and was back on the water in a year. The best thing he has ever done.
Good luck

[kster]

In 2007 when I was 39, I had metal on metal hip resurfacing of my right hip due to bad arthritis. In 2008, I had the left hip resurfaced. Relief of the arthritis pain and restored range of motion was immediate, and improved rapidly. Shortly prior to my operations, and for a couple of years after, my primary means of surfing was on a kneeboard for a bit, but mostly SUP. Mainly due to me getting a bit overweight, and not pushing my strengthening and flexibility training, it took about 5 years for me to get close to where I had been with my traditional surfing, but I was riding short and long boards. In October of 2017 I started on the keto diet/ lifestyle, and lost over 30 pounds. over the course of 2018 my surfing improved by leaps and bounds, and a friend of mine that I've been surfing with since high school said I may be surfing better than I ever had before. In November it all fell apart though. I had an unusual discomfort in right groin, and after some check ups and CT scan, found that the bone in my femur(s) is badly deteriorated due to the metal on metal implants that create ions in the tissue and can destroy surrounding tissues. I'm now facing revision surgery at age 50. The doctor is recommending for me to get a "dual mobility" hip replacement. While these only have about a 10 year tracking record in the US, they have a great record for better range of motion, and much lower incidence of dislocation.
From all of my experience and studying, if you're over 60 , you have a much better prognosis of not needing revision surgery. If you're active and are serious about your rehab, and not just getting in a rocking chair, you can get back to surfing. If you're younger like me, do plenty of homework, and put off the surgery as long as you can, but when your in chronic pain and can't do the things you love, make an educated decision and go for it. Good luck!

[jaffa1949]

What a bunch of hippies! However you pull in the clear information that dramatic surgery is not the end of your surfing!
That dramatic statement is only if you use the effects on your body as an excuse to avoid the challenging work to get up,and urging again.
The change of boards to get you through the first stages of recovery, the pulling muscle groups back to function. Sometimes training new nerve groups to carry the data to the muscles.
Give yourself a challenge any time you feel low about your progress, and check out adaptive surfing .com
I am still chasing my improvements to regain myself from where my surgery took my body.
Just discovered that I have to retrain new muscle groups to do pop up, as surgery and radiotherapy finished off a communicating nerve and muscle atrophy is now visible. SOA developing functional muscle memory in new groups is essential.

Laziness will just compound the problem,
I have an example from my son, double shoulder reconstruction twice, discovered he was a type 2 diabetic, bought his diabetes to non diabetic level with absolute diet control, and now looking at the ketogenic diet!
Note here, he was able to make clear researched decisions based on his situation.
The disclaimer is one diet does not fit all, but it did him!

[Liam9653]

My father had a hip change. The rehabilitation was long, we helped the whole family, and now he is teaching me how to surf
I asked him what he could advise. He said that you need stubbornness and a lot of sports. Also advises picking a of this kind https://wisepick.org/best-recliner-for-back-pain/
P.S. My dad does not know how to use the Internet and does not want = P
Good mood to you all!

[kster]

Update- On April 29, 2019 I had revision surgery to my right hip to remove the metal on metal hip resurfacing prosthesis. I will still need to have my left hip revised before the end of the year, but I'm re-habing well. I decided to make a little investment on a re-hab surf craft, and got a Krypt surf mat. Got in the water this past weekend with it. It just felt great to be in the water again after being out for almost 8 months. Kicking around with my fins, and catching some small waves was good exercise for the legs, and being in the water was good for my soul. Since I'm having another surgery this year, I'm not going to push things too much, but plan to be back on a surfboard by next spring. It's a bummer to have to go through this stuff, especially at a young age, but it is what it is. It won't keep me out of the water, just need to adapt a little bit.

[jaffa1949]

Great news Kostet, krypt mats good things, recovering activity and all the things, stay wet , stoked and improving.
A couple of guys I know who have had hip replacements have started using a quick release waist belt with leas attachment rather than subject their hips to a wipe out tug and see their prosthesis rip out!.

Keep it going!

[Luntbarney420]

I just had both hips replaced 3 months ago, anterior THR. It’s been a lot of hard work both pre OP and post OP. Before surgery I was swimming and bodysurfing every day also doing PT. After surgery I have been walking stairs and doing PT every day. I feel as strong as ever. I have a few questions for those of you who have been through this. What board should I ride first (I have been riding shortboards and longboards my whole life)? Is It going to be difficult to sit on a wide board? Is wearing a leash going to increase the risk of dislocation? I’m I OK to surf big waves or am I at risk of dislocation after a wipe out. Any advise would be much appreciated!

[jaffa1949]

As a Chiropractor ( Retired) who worked as part of his practice with orthopedic surgeons, you need to be aware it is a case by case basis for advice.
Yes surfing is possible if your surgeon approves and you have a good physio and physical,therapy team backing you!

First Leash advice. You can get a quick release waist belt that you attach the leash to, no risk of dislocation done this way. At 71 years old I use this form of leash for river surfing.
This will suit most wave conditions but could be a bit gut wrenching In bigger surf.
Width of the board yes that may be a risk factor, especially if you straddle with while waiting for a wave.
I think nothing wider than 22/23” may be ok but ask!
Your rehab should foster building or rebuilding the structural balance of the major muscle groups around the joint.
The physical therapists will design an exercise program to suit.
Regularly assess with your physical team before you start and don’t rush progress to big waves again.
Pop ups may be different at first as the muscle structure may not react with the former power speed and control but eventually if muscle are intact their memory will return or you will,develop a new technique.
All possible done by body conditioning sensible steps!

Cheers
Jaffa

[Luntbarney420]

Thank you, I might be surfing again on Monday. Your advice is much appreciated! I’m thinking I should knee paddle a big soft top on a small day and not wear a leash.

[pb2388]

Thought this might be of interest re the hip replacement question and surfing. I am 64 and 90kg and have had a left hip and right knee replacement plus had my large toe fused on my right foot. Not great I know for bottom half mobility but it is what it is. I have surfed most of my life and want to continue but it has proved challenging and still does but it is doable. I think one of the most frustrating things has been that I am just all lover slower now and that poses a problem at take off. The result is a lot of blown waves. For me the secret is that its important to try and get in early as it gives you a little more time to get established especially if you find you are dragging your front foot like I do. This will probably mean you need to go for more volume in your board. I know there are trade offs with longer boards and more volume but really the joy is being in the ocean catching a few waves and chatting to your buds.

PS. It goes with out saying that you have to invest your time in your fitness and flexibility, without those you are pretty much scuppered.

[Naeco78]

Hey PB glad to hear you're still getting after it. I had a THR on my left/back leg and I have the same issue with pop ups. I ride higher volume shortboards around 40L and keep trying to find new tricks to get to my feet earlier. Putting your front hand further up the rail during the popup can help get that lead leg through easier, if you havent tried that.

The popup is the only thing that seems different after THR, but that can be a big one with how much it sets up the rest of the wave. It's a strange sight to struggle on the popup but then pull an air later in the ride. But it is what it is. Hopefully it gets easier, or at least more routine, as time goes on. I'm 42 and about 2+ years post surgery

[jaffa1949]

Hey guys much respect for going for it, I too know the issues of recovery and getting back to,what we love

[MR]

I looked at this (and other) surfing threads about hip replacement many times over the years, and I finally had my hip replaced just over two months ago. I was happy to get back in the water just a bit under 8 weeks after surgery, and getting up on that first wave felt so amazing. But I also realize after a few waves that my pop-up was pretty weak. I surfed a few more times and the pop-up seemed to get worse, not better. So back to focusing on PT exercises and stretches, hoping my pop-up improves soon.

Anyone want to share what they thought were the most helpful exercises or stretches to rehab after anterior hip replacement surgery, to help with pop up, specifically for operations on their front-facing hip (left for reg foot, right for goofy)?

[Naeco78]

Hey man.. stoked to hear that you got back on a surfboard so fast! That sounds awesome! I hear ya about battling the setbacks.. I wasnt able to get back to surfing as quickly but I've struggled with similar issues. My THR was on my back leg. It complicates things with the leash and back foot surfing etc.. but I can see how the opposite leg could make other issues. Hopefully the suggestions below would help with both

I mostly do squats and lunges to help with the popup. It seems like a similar motion to surfing. I still do them through the winter when I'm not able to get in the water.. to try and maintain a baseline. Push-ups help a lot too.. the core strength helps to get more clearance on a popup.. helps to get your legs through easier.
Hope this helps! Let us know how things go.. glad to hear you're keeping to stoke after surgery!

[HarryP]

This has been a wealth of great info! I’m regular foot and had THR on my left hip in 2009. Went all in and stayed all in on the PT and pool exercises and was back surfing in 15 weeks. After some readjustment, it took 10 years off my surfing! I just had a THR on my right hip on 11/1/21 at age 63. Plan follow the same course of action for rehab with a 15 week goal to return to the surf. Pool work, both swimming and walking in stomach deep water, are a great help. Before I read this thread, I never thought about the fact that I would now be wearing a leash on the leg with a hip implant. Any one know how likely it would be that a wipeout on a head high day with a leash on could result in dislocation or other injury to the leg with the implant? I never gave the yank on my ankle after a wipeout a second thought until now. One writer mentioned attaching the lead to a quick release waistband. Makes sense. Anyone know where to find one of those?

Thanks and love the site!

[jaffa1949]

Yep the quick release waste band is the way to go, people use them a lot for safety reasons in river wave surfing and I have met contemporaries in Far flung Indo islands with them,. Let me know roughly where you surf and I may be able to connect something for you

Here I am using one on the river wave in Austria, luckily it is fully adjustable as I have lost 22kilos in weight but still safe and secure!

[HarryP]

Va Beach on the US East Coast.

[jaffa1949]

Va Beach on the US East Coast.

Look up Badfish they are a US firm they supply boards and the full set of equipment, the product is called Re-leash!
let me know how you get on
Cheers enjoy your Thanksgiving, Aussies don’t celebrate it , I certainly hope you have a good safe one!

[Bennetwill]

Hi all.

Just been reading through posts as 4weeks on from THR on back leg. I’m 42 and spent my life on the sea surfing and doing all the other daft sports that have come along with it Wind/kite/foil/wing.

Great to get a realistic time frame for when I’ll be surfing again.

Pain and mobility have been an issue for years but last 6 months started wearing leash on front foot to minimise the pull on bad hip. Other than feeling like a bit of a kook initially, I’ve found it doesn’t inhibit any part of surfing.

Your leash NEVER gets wrapped around your front foot