Contrary to received wisdom about avoidance of other than low impact exercise after hip surgery, news is being broadcast of successful hip surgery enabling high impact exercise notably work being done in Birmingham England by McMinn, who has enabled an international squash player to resume competition after hip replacement

Grateful for comment as full as possible.

-- Ted Donohoe (tdonohoe@netcomuk.co.uk), September 19, 1999

Answers

I only have questions, sorry! I am a competitive racquetball player who needs a hip replacement and have been told I am never to play again after. I am very despondant over this and am looking for any information that concerns racquet sports and hip replacements. Can you help me? Thanks, Jo

-- Jo DiTommaso (KACHIJO@AOL.com), March 09, 2001.

I received a mcminn hip on Dec.13th last year operated on by Derek McMinn.I am 59 years old and was almost a cripple before my operation and had not played tennis for nearly three years, a sport that I love. I am now playing three times a week and the only part of my body that does not ache is my opearted hip!!!!!!!! This has been a miracle operation for me and has given me my life back, so I am a convert to hip resurfacing.I hope this helps you Regards Richard Yoffey

-- richard yoffey (ryoffey@aol.com), August 15, 2001.

I have had 5 operations on my hip and one THR. It is absolutely not a good idea to do high impact exercise with the artificial hip.

when you first get a new hip you feel like you can do so much and you can, compared to what you had before. the question you must ask yourself is this; HOW LONG DO I WANT IT TO LAST?? I was 27 ( very young ) when I had my hip replacement and have had it for 13 years, which is pretty good, I would have had it for longer if I had not increased my weight. They do not last forever and everything you can do to prolong a revision is what is best. Be careful.

-- Mary Julia Tunstall (mjtunstall@mindspring.com), February 25, 2003.

I am a total convert to hip resurfacing. A keen sportsman, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of both hips at the age of 38 years. After years of sleepless nights and excruciating pain I was resigned to having coventional replacements - until I heard about Mcminn. He resurfaced one hip almost six years ago and the second over three years ago. On both occasions I returned to work (I run a small business) the day after my five day stay in hospital. I am now 57 and play golf and tennis. Every year my hips seem to improve and I have now started running during my long walks, with no ill effects.

-- William Leslie Atkins (batkins@whiteofhawick.com), December 31, 2003.

May I reiterate William's message about McMinn's Birmingham hip, and its suitability for more active people. He did my right hip at the end of January 3 years ago (age 42 years). I was back racing my sailing dinghy in 10 weeks, sailed the National Championships in July and then went off for two weeks hard mountain walking the Pyrenees in August. Since then I have returned to squash (having been told to give it up in 1987 because of osteoarthritis) and regularly enjoy competitive sailing, walking, skiing (both downhill and x-country), and real tennis. My only sacrifices have been parachute jumping and bungee jumping neither of which I'm terrifically disappointed about, if I'm honest! I know where I shall be going when the other hip needs doing.

Tom

-- Tom Davis (Tom.Davis@riotinto.com), February 18, 2004.

Does anyone have any helpful comments re the vexed question of whether to undertake the pilgimage to Birmingham or go for the same op performed locally please? My option is the Chaucer at Canterbury.

-- margaret searles (margaret_searles@yahoo.co.uk), March 21, 2004.

i am only 18 and thinking of having a hip replacment as i have pertheas disease in my right hip. i am a mad golfer which involves twisting and turning the hit through impact. does anyone have any recommendations for me, about about the pros and cons of having it done. many thanks.....phil

-- philip gale (phily001@aol.com), May 01, 2004.

Phil,

Definitely go with the McMinn procedure - do both at the same time - I just met someone who just had both done at once and he is almost back to normal after just 2 months. It sounds fantastic and I definitely plan to cure my right osteo-smitten hip that way after undergoing total hip replacement on the left one here in Seattle last year. Unfortunately I had no idea there was a better way until a couple of weeks ago........

Katharine

-- Katharine Jane Norris (kjnorris@u.washington.edu), May 24, 2004.

Two Years ago I had a total hip replacment. Within 8 weeks I was jogging and eventially against all odds I started running half a full marathons. I had a check up recently and everything was great. I am 52 and I intend to keep running. I know it must sound crazy to some people but it is a choice that may have consequences and I am willing to take that risk.

-- Murray Scott (murraymurman@aol.com), June 04, 2004.

I had my L hip resurfaced on March 18 2004 (age 56). I am now back to good golf and considering tennis. The best thing - and the worst thing - is, since I stopped all the painkillers and anti- inflamatories, I now know that all my other joints are total crap! Still, soldier on better than before.

-- charles adams (charadam@btconnect.com), July 28, 2004.

I was 65 on 19 11 2004, which is 8 months on from having left hip re surfaced. I have started training for 2005 London Marathon. To date I have jogged ( yes, slow ) 3 times a week, between 5 to 10 miles, with no apparent pain, apart from some stiffness. I feel alive again!! I do realise I may be going into the unknown, but I do trust what my body is telling me,and if it tells me to stop, I will reluctantly do so, and probably aim for 2006 instead. I would welcome any advice on Lower body strength excercises/training. Good Luck everyone!!

-- Tony Hart (pamtony@talk21.com), December 07, 2004.