couch to 5k post total hip replacement

[RufSpk24]

hello I am 9 months post hip replacement. I had a dual mobility cup replacement as I am hypermobile. I needed the replacement due to a fall and subsequent deteriorating osteoarthritis. I was told by a private consultant that I’ll never run again but my nhs consultant said I would. I have been a runner for most of my adult life I’m 60 now!

recovery was not a walk in the park, and took a good 6 months as I didn’t get physio straight away. I have done and still do all the exercises, as well as Pilates regularly and swimming with a bit of strengthening stuff. I walk very well now with no limp. So I decided to go for it. I’m on week 3 of C25K and felt very weird to start and a bit uncomfortable the bio mechanics I think are so different, but tonight felt a lot better and I’m currently on cloud 9. I need to do a set of warm up exercises pre and post as well as everything else I’m doing to ensure my muscles are good. I think my long distance running days are over but if I can just get out for a few miles on a lovely day or when you’re on holiday I would be so happy. I would be very interested to know of any other mad people who are taking on this challenge with a replacement and how they are doing. I also feel that if I can do it guys you will all smash it. Believe me there are so so many benefits of running. I wish you all well.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hello. I do now of folk, not necessarily on the forum who have had similar operations with huge success!

Well done to your NHS consultant and you, for persevering with your recovery and progress so far. Having an expert opinion to support you, is of course, key.

I do know that  Bruch1 had hip replacements when younger... I think in her 40s?  PandaCory , and  GM11 , too; we are all so different and although no one's recovery and running experiences are the same, hopefully, they may be able to share their thoughts with you !

This is a really interesting article ... I recall reading about some impressive running on a Strava post too !

hiprunner.com/

[drl212 Graduate]

Wow! What a great story! I'm afraid I don't know anyone with a replacement, but I applaud your efforts.

All the best!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to drl212]

There are a fair few folk here on the forums... I am hoping they may be popping in.

[drl212 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Great! I hope they can offer some advice to RS24.

Do keep up with your health care providers and a second opinion is always an option. You've had a few so far...

[Dorothyamelia]

So inspired to read your post RufSpk24 ! First time I’ve posted here, and it was your story that prompted me.

I have 2 total knee replacements (Feb & Nov 2021) and rheumatoid arthritis Despite being told running was out of the question after the ops, I have (naughtily) gone against advice and repeated Couch25K (first time several years ago pre knee replacements). I’ve done some research and although most specialists advise against running after joint replacement there is very little research on what happens if you continue to run, so I am testing the theory!

My husband died at 57 from aggressive kidney cancer diagnosed and gone within 3 months. He was fit, health and looked after himself. I had breast cancer, mastectomy and chemotherapy, plus a hysterectomy due to suspected womb cancer - so my view is be sensible but why stop doing things you adore in case it messes you up later on in life? Because there may not be a later on!

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent a lot of time building up muscle, taking things very slowly indeed, making sure I warm up and down, wearing good shoes etc. and like you, I don’t want to run a marathon, just a 5 K 1-2 x per week is keeping me sane after what I can only describe as a mourning for the loss of running!

I’m 64 and LOVING my running and my life! But, like you I’d love to know about any other nutcases that are running with impediments!

[RufSpk24 in reply to Dorothyamelia]

You have inspired me too to continue and thank you so much for sharing. What a traumatic and emotional time you have had. I agree with everything you say. Please keep us posted on how you get on. Take good care and keep going xx

[Rabbitrunner53]

You are amazing and inspirational.

[PandaCory Graduate]

Hi & thanks to Oldfloss for tagging me! I had one hip resurfaced in 2007 and ran successfully with it. It did take a few years for me to get my confidence back though. Fast forward to July 2023 when I had a total replacement of the other one. I made sure to ask my surgeon if I could run afterwards and he said yes, so happy days! I waited for 8 months and just felt ready, so started C25K again with Steve Cram. However I think I was a bit too keen & gave myself a bit of a scare in week 5, so I shelved it for a bit. Everything was fine (of course) and I'm just about ready to start again, though I'm going to be very very slow and careful, with a lot more repeats of each stage of the programme. I was slow before and I think I'll be even slower now, but as long as I can run I'll be ok with that!

[RufSpk24]

Thank you for the reply PandaCory feels very reassuring that your consultant also gave the go ahead and that you were able to run after your resurfacing surgery and have now started after THR. I have also repeated a couple of the runs. I don’t feel ready for week 4 yet so will repeat week 3 I think. I’m listening to Denise and lovely to hear a familiar voice. Just feels so lovely to be outside and doing a jog. I hope we can progress and all will feel well. You said in week 5 you thought you had overdone it, did you get pain? I have adapted my running style a bit to smaller steps and trying to run a bit more on ball of my feet as I read this is better for hips, albeit feels a bit unnatural at the moment. I hope the sun is shining wherever you all are x

[PandaCory Graduate]

Hi RufSpk24! Sorry for the late reply - I haven't been running so haven't been on the forum for a while. I hope you're doing OK. I have just tentatively started again with slow intervals on the treadmill & it's going well so far. That's good advice - I'm also running more lightly on the balls of my feet & taking smaller strides & I think it helps. I'll need to keep an eye on that when I venture outside again though. I had a bit of pain at 5 weeks and it freaked me out, so I'm just getting started again, and being even more cagey. Hope you're doing OK.