Total Hip Replacement/Hip Resurfacing

I have a friend that just had this procedure performed at http://grossortho.com/ he had hip resurfacing or replacement www.grossortho.com/hipre.html . He said you have to wait at least 1 month for the incision to heal before entering the water. He has been swimming since his operation a few months ago and is taking it easy on turns and kicking- he mentioned he will wait a few more months before reallly pushing it and kicking hard- he does not regret the procedure....BTW he says he is kicking all the 20 year old's ass in workout. He mentioned there was a Dr in LA or UCLA to be precise that also performs the same procedure. Hope this helps.

Carl, My wife had a hip replacement when she was 67 and we went skiing 17 weeks later!!! GLENN

I'd love to talk with your friend. I'm scheduled for the resurfacing procedure on Jan. 30. thanks

Originally posted by botterud I'd love to talk with your friend. I'm scheduled for the resurfacing procedure on Jan. 30. thanks I sent his contact info through this PM and email options - let me know if you received it. A.K.

I have had two total right hip replacements. My first lasted 10 years until the cup became loose. My operations were different then most. My hip, pelvis and sacrum were crushed under a 28-ton dump truck in 1977. The damage to my pelvis and hip area was horrific to say the least. Both operations required bone graph build-ups to adequately anchor the cup to my hip, which made my recovery time somewhat outside the norm. Having said that, I was back in the pool (both times) right at six weeks. I did not do flip turns for another month to ensure my hip was healed. After my operations it took three weeks to feel human again and four weeks to become pain free. On a side note, I strongly suggest you set aside your own blood for this operation to ensure healthy, disease free blood. Our blood supply is very safe in America with the onset of modern testing, but it is not bullet proof. I required 4 to 5 pints during both operations due to the increased damage brought about by my accident. My understanding is 2 pints is generally the norm. I caution you to be very careful during the healing process. Both Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem NC and Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY are excellent joint replacement hospitals. Both hospitals have done extensive research in patient follow up after joint replacements. Both found the number one cause for replacement damage was caused by early strenuous activities with infection being second. Keep your incision clean and maintain a very regimented germ free environment after your operation. Be extra careful of dental work and ALWAYS get your dentist to call in a prescription for antibiotics prior to dental cleaning. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THAT! In short, let that joint replacement heal properly before you torque it to the max in the pool. I found breaststroke kicking to be very painful and dangerous during the healing process so be extra careful there. Good luck and enjoy your new hip replacement after it heals. Both times, I went from serious pain to zero pain after healing. Kindest regards, Tom Ellison

A.K.: Got it and sent him an email. Thanks. Glenn: Thanks for the input. Hope to see you sometime soon . . . Though I doubt I'll be in the water for the Caltech Pentathalon this year. Jean: Thank you. Tom: Thanks for the feedback. I understand the blood loss issues. I'm getting the hip resurfacing which preserves a lot of my bone and results in a much reduced blood loss. Your comments are well appreciated and I am really looking forward to that "pain free" part.

Carl: TRUST ME.... it will be night and day different....or....the difference in Grant Hackett’s mile time.....and...my mile time..... I waited way to long and suffered needlessly both times before going in and having it replaced. My second operation was a Godsend for the pain was way over the edge...and I mean way over the edge. Hey, they don’t call us Jar Heads for nothing. :)

A guy at the Y where I swim had a hip replacement and later played basketball on it with the "lunch bunch" - he was in his 60s.

Hi all I returned home from a hip resurfacing May 28, so very early days. I'll be pleased to compare notes with other swimmers at various stages of their recovery and rehabilitation. Best to all. Guy

Hi- I am agonizing over this hip resurfacing question. I can currently swim very well without pain, but have pain pretty much all of the rest of the time. I would like to be able to walk and bike without pain, but don't want to lose my ability to swim like i am now. Will I still be able to do flip turns and go off of the blocks? Will I be able to complete my workouts daily (3500-4000 yards), and how soon will I be back to the swimming form that I am in now. I need answers from swimmers who understand my dilemma. Please help if you have any insight!