Quote:
Originally Posted by cragrat
So after thirty plus years of destroying my body in the world of hard core rock climbing, I discovered the incredible sport of Wakesurfing a little over a year ago. So many things about it appeal to me. The movement... the environment... the gear... and of course, the low impact nature of the activity.
Had a follow-up visit with my "Arthritis Doc" yesterday... and a total hip replacement is inevitable in the next couple of years. There is tons of data regarding the success and relative "ease" of this surgery these days, but nothing really out there regarding water sports. So.....
I was wondering if anyone in Wakeworld has had this procedure and how it has affected your surfing ability. Positive results? Negative results? Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated.
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John
I am a physical therapist and get asked this kind of question all the time. "Can I do__________ after I have __________ procedure done. Lots of different things go in the blanks.
In your case... Can I wakesurf following THR. My answers.... absolutely!!!!
Now here is the disclaimer. Make sure you use a surgeon that does an anterior approach THR and not a posterior or posterior/lateral approach! Read this and it will all make sense.
http://eastcoastortho.com/technology/anterior-hip.php
The main difference between the two approaches is how much muscle has to be cut or detached to perform the procedure. In the anterior approach, no muscle is detached or cut open. In the posterior/lateral approach several muscles are cut apart or detached. When you cut or detach those muscles and then put them back together it takes a long time to get them working again. Furthermore, those muscles are no longer working well to prevent the new hip from dislocating and there is a huge risk for dislocation. With the posterior/lateral approach you have to follow strict precautions for a long time (6+ months) after the surgery. Here is some more info about those precautions after a posterior lateral approach.
Hip precautions are recommendations that orthopedic surgeons discuss with patients before and after surgery. These only apply to patients who have a hip replacement through a posterior approach. These recommendations are to prevent patients from dislocating their new hip replacement which as I just mentioned is one of the most common complications that can occur after a hip replacement. The precautions start on the day of surgery when a pillow is placed between your legs for approximately the first 4-6 weeks whenever you are sitting or lying down. When you sleep, you have to sleep on your back with the pillow between your legs for the first 4- weeks. In addition you are told to follow a 90-90 rule which means don’t bend your hips or knees beyond 90 degrees. You are also told not to cross your legs, turn your toes inward, or tie your shoes. You shouldn't sit on low chairs or couches. To assist with these precautions, you are also recommended to get an elevated toilet seat so that when you sit down on the toilet, you don’t go beyond 90 degrees at the hip either when you sit or get up. If you have your hip replaced by an anterior approach as I described earlier, none of these precautions apply. The risk of dislocation is almost eliminated and you don’t need that cumbersome pillow between your legs, you can sit or sleep in any comfortable position you like, you can cross your legs, tie your shoes, and you don’t need an elevated toilet seat.
Bottom line.... Do an anterior approach, be very diligent with physical therapy after the surgery, and you will be back surfing in no time at all!
Good luck!
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