active rock climber needing THR

[tlc]

The title says it all. I am hoping to hear from other climbers (rock, ice, or alpine) who have had a THR. This is something I have put off for far too long, yet I am having difficulty in making decisions. There are just so many: which Dr, which material/joint, when to schedule it, how to prepare.... I'd like to hear about the experiences pre or post of any climber.

In addition, if there are threads on this site or elsewhere which one would suggest as "must reads on this whole" please drop the link in. There is so much material out there.

thanks

 

[Jamie]

tlc, I'm sure that Josephine, the orthopedic nurse who monitors this site, will provide some feedback for you. In the meantime, there are a couple of threads that have to do with picking a surgeon that you might want to read. I believe they are at the top of the thread list with a sticky note. I'm on the knee side of the forum and not much help to you, but I certainly wish you the best as you go through your surgery and recovery. This forum can be a great resource. I'm glad you found it! ....Jamie

 

[Josephine]

Don't know much about rock climbing (vis a vis the loading put on the body) but I do know there are plenty of people out there who continue all sorts of activities they had to give up when their hip gave up and others who actually took up stuff they never did before at all! These include running (some in marathons), sports cycling, hiking and fell walking to name but a few. There are threads about in the forum here where people have reported on their activities.

Of course you need to talk to your surgeon about it, but I can't imagine there being too much restriction provided you have an uneventful surgery and recovery.

BTW, I recall one of the first patients McKee that operated on was a man whose special skill was repairing church roofs. He was responsible for the Norwich Cathedral roof and not that long after the op he returned to work, climbing the scaffolding on the cathedral spire! I believe he continued in that job for some years.

 

[cgraves]

RE: hip replacement

Chuck
Denver Colorado
Age: 55
Climbing: 35 plus years, devoted weekend warrior.


Hip had been deteriorating for 25 year. Last two years have been living
on percocet. Approaches have been torture, lost at two number grades.
Could not longer stand pain and lack of daily mobility.

I am 24 days out from hip surgery. Elected to have a hip resurfacing.

 

[Josephine]

And how are you doing, Chuck? How's the rehab going?

 

[cgraves]

Rock climber with Rt Hip Resurfacing

Post operation 51 days rt hip resurfacing
RT hip is pain free
There is out side front groin pain and much tightness
Some pain in upper rt buttock
Low to mid intensity lower back pain 50 % of the time
Walking without cane, but carry to be careful with hip
Cannot put socks on because cannot bring rt leg up inside
Working on getting leg raise up to 90 degrees
Doctor said to go to 95-100 degrees
Pelvic tilt still pronounced, mostly I think from many years of bad form

Stopped going to formal PT
Doctor did not seem to be a big supporter, I was not either
Last 2 weeks going to the gym 4 to 5 days per week
Doing upper body strength training with machines to minimize injuries
That feels very good
Low intensity aerobics with stationary bike 20 to 30 minutes
Doctor recommended lowering the seat each week in order to increase ROM

It appears from all I have read that the lesser damage going in
greatly effects recovery.

ROM and hip stability are my concerns over the next 8 to 10 months.
Lots of prior damage combined with the surgery to deal with.
I am taking a conservative approach.
I would like to be climbing again spring of 2009.
Not sure what best strategy is.

Any suggestions ?

 

[Josephine]

I can't see any reason you couldn't start climbing then. Would be almost a year and anyone should be totally forgetting all about their THR by that time, all things being well. Just keep up with the weight training and stuff - but then, something tells me you know a lot more about that side of it than I do!

 

[JudyS]

Hi tlc,

My husband is an avid rock climber. Of course I am the one with the new hip. Before we had kids I did some climbing with him.
Glad you went for the resurfacing as I read you end up with a greater range of motion.
Also happy for you that you will get to return to your sport. I have been an obsessive runner and my doc asked me to promise him that I would not run anymore. Still trying to adjust to that one.

I am very anxious to get to the gym again. Are you under the 90% restrictions? If so , how do you sit at the machines? Are there many that you cannot use??

As far as rock climbing are you a visitor to super topo? Just wondering as we are about the same age if you are involved in the social aspects as my hubby is and has a good friend in colorado who organizes these things

happy recovery
Judy in So Cal.

 

[cgraves]

Active climber but not too social.

8 weeks post operation.
Getting stronger.
Doctor gave okay to go to 110 degrees.
Cannot get past 80 degrees.

Pelvis engages, tilts after that.

Neither PT nor me have had much success.

Everything is so tight.
Looking for advise or experience to break through this.

 

[Josephine]

Does your OS know about this problem, cgraves? If not, I suggest you tell him. Manipulation is not common in THR but have been known to happen.

 

[cgraves]

Re: active rock climber in recovery

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

What is "manipulation" ?

I have been really pushing on the stationary bike. Moving the seat down just
to the point where the pelvic tilt begins. Plus lots of stretching.
Improvement has been marginal.

I have told the Doctor about my concern. He thinks the recovery is going well.
Doctor appears to not be fully supportive of the formal PT program
and that healing time and life style will resolve the recovery issues.
I am not so confident. But, then again what do I know.

I am resolved to:
1. question the doctor more (next visit is end of Aug)
2. find a new PT opportunity (limited through the HMO)
3. consult other doctors (figure out where to start,)
4. work hard at it myself (I am)
5. be patient (working hard at this)

 

[Josephine]

Sorry! It's the OS giving the limb a good twist under anaesthetic to break down any adhesions that may have formed. Gets done more often in knee replacements.

 

[legallyblondiedancer]

Hi cgraves...i am a dancer and had my right hip resurfaced 2 years
ago. Have always had an anterior pelvic tilt and worked on it before
the resurface stretching a very shortened posas muscle out! It seems like the best thing to correct this tilt for me has been one on
one with a pilates instructor and using the right muscles to stablize
the hips and learn to be consciously aware of your pelvic alignment
all of the time so you naturally correct it and also build the correct
muscles to maintain the proper hip alignment...Karen