Any other riders had a hip replacement?

Cheese

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 April 2011
Messages
57
Location
Somerset
Visit site
Am due to go in for a hip replacement in a couple of weeks time. The consultant has told me that I should be ok to ride afterwards [after healing time of course!]

Has anyone else here had a hip replacement? Did it work ok? Was it alright riding after? How long did it take before you could ride?

Lots of questions, but I'm really nervous!!!!

Thanks.
 
Am due to go in for a hip replacement in a couple of weeks time. The consultant has told me that I should be ok to ride afterwards [after healing time of course!]

Has anyone else here had a hip replacement? Did it work ok? Was it alright riding after? How long did it take before you could ride?

Lots of questions, but I'm really nervous!!!!

Thanks.



What sort of hip replacement? Birmingham or conventional? I had a Birmingham hip replacement 3 or 4 years ago. I was out of hospital after 2 days, back at work after 3 weeks & driving after 6 weeks. Riding effectively took longer (in my case well over a year before I stopped being one sided, though I'd have been able to hack a lot earlier). Whichever 'version' of the hip replacement you have involves having an L shaped incision on the outside of your hip & a fair amount of muscle damage. It is so worth it though. I have no hip pain at all, can sit straight / use both legs properly and my new hip works perfectly. Don't know how well it would cope with riding, but a friend's conventional hip replacement has been a total success for a fairly active person.
 
my pal at old yard had 2 hip replacements (ie both hips done). She put us all to shame, riding every morning, hacking further than anyone and looking impossibly glam while she mucked out (how can some people do that and others not, I dont know).

she did sponsored rides too XC.

She used the yard gate to mount from and also rode with long length of stirrup leather so fairly straight legged, and used a heather moffatt suede seat saver. Her horse was 15.1 cob and so quite wide.

So taking things gently I would think there is ground for optimism!
 
Best thing ever! I was very nervous before the op, too.
I had the Birmingham type and it is wonderful to be able to ride (and get off again!)
I'd really advise seeing a sports physio after the op to help build up muscle before you start riding.
Good luck and pm me if you'd like more details. :)
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm having a ceramic non-cemented hip joint, which apparently means that I'll be on crutches for 8 weeks as you can't be totally weight bearing until the bone has started to grow around the new part, otherwise the femur will split. Nice.

It's very comforting to know other people have had them and are able to ride again. To be honest, if I can hack out a couple of times a week until I get fully better, I'll be ok. My daughter will jump him, do dressage etc until I'm sorted.

Am part excited to not be limping around like a 103 year old, and partly terrfied!

Also looking forward to getting a badminton raquet in my hand, but that's another story.

Will certainly see a sports physio. Fortunately I have a very good [and very fit ;)] one locally.
 
I know someone v well who was back riding after about 10 weeks post hip op. She almost found it easier than the walking bit. She had plenty of physio post-op. Took it very easy to start with and horse is a poppet. Now needs other hip done...Good luck with it
 
I can't offer personal advice, however the rider who competes my horse for me had a hip replacement at the age of 17, she was born with a defective hip but it wasn't realised until her mid teens. She's now 23, has been riding professionaly for as long as I have known her, with some discomfort and weekness on that side, but still riding very well.
 
I had a total (assume conventional) hip replacement five or was it six years ago. :o
The op itself and relief of pain was such a relief. I have got a weakness in that leg which is still evident and my balance has never been the same. I do think my leg had become very weak before the op. I rode at about 12 weeks and was very unbalanced (felt like a weeble) and one sided but this has improved a lot. I certainly am not a daily or very regualr rider nowadays though for other physical reasons but I'm sure if I rode more I would improve much more. :)
 
A friend of mine had both done and has been riding for years daily goes on sponsored rides the lot. Has to take a phone though apparently for insurance.

Sitting astride a horse is a good position to keep the hips aligned etc

Mind over matter
 
Sorry, I can't really give you any details as I don't know/can't remember them.
But a member of our RC, who is an excellent rider had both her hips replaced about 4 yrs ago. She was advised not to ride again but ignored that advice. Now in her 60s, she will ride absolutely any horse and does it well. She has decided to stop jumping this year, although her daughter has had to remind her of that a couple times, when she has been planning which classes to enter, lol!
I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
Last edited:
Top