i am looking for encouragement and experiences from sailors who have had hip replacements i am scheduled for surgery in a week and my doctor doe nto want me to sail for 6 months to a year which i hope is extreme i sail on an inland lake but someday would like to head "south" to the caribbean and the atlantic what is the practical experience you have???
sailing after hip replacement
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Keystroker, No personal experience but
Have had several friends that got new hips. First my mother broke her hip in March about 12 years ago, in May she walked without a cane across the grounds of the cemetery at Dad's funeral and in August flew to Germany to visit my sister and went hiking. She was about 80 at that time. My friend Loyal J. had his done in January and was climbing a 10 foot step ladder to prune his apple trees in April. He insisted that they stop on the way home from the hospital so that he could get a hair cut. Loyal was well past 80 at that time. Both of these people led very active lives and were in very good physical condition. Then there is the Baseball player that had a hip replaced and played ball the next season. It takes a while for the bones to grow into and around the implant and the Drs. want to be conservative.
Have had several friends that got new hips. First my mother broke her hip in March about 12 years ago, in May she walked without a cane across the grounds of the cemetery at Dad's funeral and in August flew to Germany to visit my sister and went hiking. She was about 80 at that time. My friend Loyal J. had his done in January and was climbing a 10 foot step ladder to prune his apple trees in April. He insisted that they stop on the way home from the hospital so that he could get a hair cut. Loyal was well past 80 at that time. Both of these people led very active lives and were in very good physical condition. Then there is the Baseball player that had a hip replaced and played ball the next season. It takes a while for the bones to grow into and around the implant and the Drs. want to be conservative.
Hip replace 2 years ago
At the age of 53 I had my hip replaced (2 years ago). This was in January, starting in April of the same year my racing season started. I raced a total of 29 days that season as part of a 4 man crew. This included foredeck and midship responsibilities. I was very aware that my hip had been replaced, but it did not prevent me from doing anything. I am in excellent physical health 6'4" tall and 185 lbs. Everyone is different, best of luck.
At the age of 53 I had my hip replaced (2 years ago). This was in January, starting in April of the same year my racing season started. I raced a total of 29 days that season as part of a 4 man crew. This included foredeck and midship responsibilities. I was very aware that my hip had been replaced, but it did not prevent me from doing anything. I am in excellent physical health 6'4" tall and 185 lbs. Everyone is different, best of luck.
Tennis
A friend's dad had a hip replaced and plays tennis everday now. I think he waited about 4 months to get back on the court.
A friend's dad had a hip replaced and plays tennis everday now. I think he waited about 4 months to get back on the court.
Walking your way back into the boat
Key, I haven't had the hip replacement but I have had other hip/knee surgery and when I incorporated long-distance walking into my lifestyle (walking a long 3-mile route to work as often as possible in fair weather) my general state of health became as good as I could hope. I had given up bicycling because I didn't like the shaky "rubbery" feeling my knee got after a few days of layoff, but walking is the most natural and lowest-impact motion for that part of the body, with all the benefits for your heart and circulation as well. I highly recommend walking as therapy as soon as your doc says "stand up"...
Key, I haven't had the hip replacement but I have had other hip/knee surgery and when I incorporated long-distance walking into my lifestyle (walking a long 3-mile route to work as often as possible in fair weather) my general state of health became as good as I could hope. I had given up bicycling because I didn't like the shaky "rubbery" feeling my knee got after a few days of layoff, but walking is the most natural and lowest-impact motion for that part of the body, with all the benefits for your heart and circulation as well. I highly recommend walking as therapy as soon as your doc says "stand up"...
Hips and sailing
My sister had a hip replacement last year. She was up and around in a month or less. She now sails with me regularly, and does her part of the sail handling, much as before. So just go for it.
My sister had a hip replacement last year. She was up and around in a month or less. She now sails with me regularly, and does her part of the sail handling, much as before. So just go for it.
attitude is everything
Do not hesitate to sail. 6 months, seems extreme ,try a couple months at most. The MD who did my total hip kept his college football All American certificate above his diploma. and he did not say 6 months. You can do all activity except court sports. Skiing and sailing are pretty much the same as before. But get use to Airport security agravations.
Do not hesitate to sail. 6 months, seems extreme ,try a couple months at most. The MD who did my total hip kept his college football All American certificate above his diploma. and he did not say 6 months. You can do all activity except court sports. Skiing and sailing are pretty much the same as before. But get use to Airport security agravations.
Knee too.
I'm having a knee replacment done in Sept. Probably won't be much good for the rest of the sailing season but will sure be glad to get rid of the constant pain. Could get one final time on he boat 2cd weeknd in Oct. 3.5 weeks after replacement. I don't really know what to expect with his 1st one but will be prepared next time for th 2cd
I'm having a knee replacment done in Sept. Probably won't be much good for the rest of the sailing season but will sure be glad to get rid of the constant pain. Could get one final time on he boat 2cd weeknd in Oct. 3.5 weeks after replacement. I don't really know what to expect with his 1st one but will be prepared next time for th 2cd
Recent hip replacement
I just had my surgery on May 18th, so my 3 month anniversary is coming up in a couple of days. At 10 weeks I saw my bone doc and he said I could do whatever I wanted to after leaving the office. I can't say I am completely healed but I am good enough to go sailing, even changing out a foresail in a bouncy sea. There are a couple of types of hip replacements, from the traditional to "hip resurfacing" to a new hybrid of both the old and new type; what I have has only been out for about a year in Canada, I suspect even less in the States. If you can, check into hip resurfacing, it is superior to the "traditional" surgery. If your doc doesn't do it, check out a doc that does. Don't trust a doc that doesn't do it, re-assuring you you don't need the new type of surgery; the new is better than the old. Also goggle "hip resurfacing" to find out what it is all about. You heal much faster, there is less trauma to the bone (less bone cut off) and a smaller scar. Good luck
I just had my surgery on May 18th, so my 3 month anniversary is coming up in a couple of days. At 10 weeks I saw my bone doc and he said I could do whatever I wanted to after leaving the office. I can't say I am completely healed but I am good enough to go sailing, even changing out a foresail in a bouncy sea. There are a couple of types of hip replacements, from the traditional to "hip resurfacing" to a new hybrid of both the old and new type; what I have has only been out for about a year in Canada, I suspect even less in the States. If you can, check into hip resurfacing, it is superior to the "traditional" surgery. If your doc doesn't do it, check out a doc that does. Don't trust a doc that doesn't do it, re-assuring you you don't need the new type of surgery; the new is better than the old. Also goggle "hip resurfacing" to find out what it is all about. You heal much faster, there is less trauma to the bone (less bone cut off) and a smaller scar. Good luck
It all depends on the patient
At age 51 I had a total hip replacement. While I've seen some patients recover in a few months, some were much longer before feeling comfortable. It also seemed to have nothing to do with the physical weight of the patient.My doctor and PT's gave me several caveats. Certain movements are supposed to be dangerous to the new hip(I was told forever..)but usually if you take a bit of care and move just a touch slower, you'll know when you've pushed the hip to it's limit. Sometimes especially on a daysailor like mine, there's no time to think but only act. These moments, as well as stepping and un-stepping the mast are when you are most vunerable. Hmm.... maybe that's why it takes me so long to rig the boat now?
At age 51 I had a total hip replacement. While I've seen some patients recover in a few months, some were much longer before feeling comfortable. It also seemed to have nothing to do with the physical weight of the patient.My doctor and PT's gave me several caveats. Certain movements are supposed to be dangerous to the new hip(I was told forever..)but usually if you take a bit of care and move just a touch slower, you'll know when you've pushed the hip to it's limit. Sometimes especially on a daysailor like mine, there's no time to think but only act. These moments, as well as stepping and un-stepping the mast are when you are most vunerable. Hmm.... maybe that's why it takes me so long to rig the boat now?
thanks everyone!!!!!
thanks to all for their encouragement i am not looking forward to the surgery but to the results!!!! if you folks pray, please keep me there next monday!!!! keystroker
thanks to all for their encouragement i am not looking forward to the surgery but to the results!!!! if you folks pray, please keep me there next monday!!!! keystroker
Hip replaced on May 8th
One month after surgery, I was back on my boat as a passenger. Today, I am as good as new and move freely about our boat. I had a total hip replacement using the anterior approach. It is minimally invaisive -only a 5 inch incision- the muscles are streched apart, not cut, so the recovery time is much shorter than a conventional replacement. Also there are no long term precautions that must observed after the replacement. It sounds like it is too late for you to check out this technique, but this Saturday, just a little over 3 months after surgery, I will be single handling a 31 footer. Good Luck!
One month after surgery, I was back on my boat as a passenger. Today, I am as good as new and move freely about our boat. I had a total hip replacement using the anterior approach. It is minimally invaisive -only a 5 inch incision- the muscles are streched apart, not cut, so the recovery time is much shorter than a conventional replacement. Also there are no long term precautions that must observed after the replacement. It sounds like it is too late for you to check out this technique, but this Saturday, just a little over 3 months after surgery, I will be single handling a 31 footer. Good Luck!
Article in Cruising World
No practical experience, but the June 2006 issue of Cruising World has an article on the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) entitled "The ARC Goes Platinum". The crew of s/v Spirit of Juno was made up of members of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association. Seems like all of them had artificial legs. All in all, check with your doctor. I hope your recovery is swift and gets your hands back on the tiller soon!
No practical experience, but the June 2006 issue of Cruising World has an article on the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) entitled "The ARC Goes Platinum". The crew of s/v Spirit of Juno was made up of members of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association. Seems like all of them had artificial legs. All in all, check with your doctor. I hope your recovery is swift and gets your hands back on the tiller soon!
I like your altitude.
Keystroker, Keep your chin up sailor. If all you need is encouragement and prayers, you got it my friend ! Keep your eye your goal and you will get there faster. This will just be a temporary setback for you. My link is to the 2005 Transpac Disabled crew. This is a motley crew of amputees, cancer survivors and even a quadraplegic. Talk about not giving up! They kept their eye on the goal and so will you. We can all learn from them. They inspire me, I hope they do the same for you. Sergio
Keystroker, Keep your chin up sailor. If all you need is encouragement and prayers, you got it my friend ! Keep your eye your goal and you will get there faster. This will just be a temporary setback for you. My link is to the 2005 Transpac Disabled crew. This is a motley crew of amputees, cancer survivors and even a quadraplegic. Talk about not giving up! They kept their eye on the goal and so will you. We can all learn from them. They inspire me, I hope they do the same for you. Sergio
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