UKC

Hello,  I am 49 and have arthritis in my hip.

I  have an appointment to see a consultant about having the joint either re-surfaced or completely replaced.

I have read quite a few threads on the forums that are quite positive about climbing but was wondering if anyone still boulders after either of  these procedures?

Would be great to run again too but maybe that is a bit pie in the sky?

Any advice on implant types also gratefully received. 

Currently having a lot of referred pain in the knee and in my back.  Hopefully the knee isn't being damaged by limping?

Being a wimp I find it all a bit daunting and also terrifying!  Have to remind myself that it's a very common procedure...

I have had both, one in each hip, and I'm as flexible and robust as ever  10 years on.  I don't worry at all  about jumping off onto mats at the wall, a bit more circumspect about a pad at the crag but wouldn't say it's really held me back, not that I'm a hard core boulderer mind. I feel no  significant difference between them other than the resurfacing side has a bit less range of movement. Mind you the type I had, (metal on metal) were stopped soon afterwards (2009) because of joint damage in poorly aligned ones - mine was under annual review but ok.  Not sure what you are offered these days. I went for the "mini-hip" on the other side which has been brilliant. They were quite experimental at the time, designed to retain more of the femur and so be more robust and therefore suit the younger, more active person. I went for the top of the range ceramic type and haven't had any problem with it in 8 years, other than a disconcerting squeak when I try  stupid sit starts!

I was worried about going through with it both times because I feared I would never be the same again but I can honestly say it has been genuinely life changing. Just being pain free and able to get back to normal activity again was joyous. So I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, just make sure you do LOADS of physiotherapy afterwards, it really really helps.

Thanks very much that's really encouraging! 

Can I ask at what point you decided to have the surgery.  I am worried that I am damaging my knee by limping?

Also wondering how long I would need to stop driving for?

Although I'm still active I often pay for it afterwards.  The past few weeks it seems to have suddenly got much more painful and sore.

I left it too long, to the point at which I could only walk about half a mile before the pain became unbearable and it would sometimes seize up completely. That said, I want climbing the day before my operation, heavily dosed up on Voltarol! After the first one was done I got a new lease of life but that accelerated the deterioration of the second one. I was getting knee pain because I became unbalanced in my gait. After the 2nd replacement I had to learn to walk properly again and after 6 months the knee pain had gone. It took 6 weeks before I was cycling and climbing again, though carefully, no jumping off until a year post op. Strictly, no driving until you are discharged from follow up care, but I was able to manage it after 4 weeks. 

See a specialist as soon as you can and explain that your quality of life is being compromised.  You are young (I had my ops at age 49)  and otherwise fit I assume; you want to stay that way and so not burden the NHS with more  chronic disease caused by inactivity.

I limp all the time now and hip and knee is sore especially in the days after walking any distance.  

Have been told by the physio that my leg and right buttock is 'withering'!   So losing a bit of muscle due to favouring the right leg.

Saw a consultant 12 years ago and was offered re-surfacing but elected to delay as I was relatively young.  I think it's reached the point where it needs to be done as just a couple of minutes on the tennis court with my daughter was agony (hip not the tennis!) 

Have an appointment to see the same surgeon again shortly.

Having said that I have been bouldering quite a lot and find that by doing a circuit of problems that I know I can forget the pain and help maintain some movement.  Bit like a yoga or stretching class.

Yes, how lucky to be born in the UK and have access to the NHS?  

Thanks for all the info.

Voltarol has been used frequently over the years along with Tiger Balm and even Badger Rub!

Yep, I'm firmly of the opinion that the core strength and suppleness  from climbing kept it at bay for a good while and made the new implants so successful. Good luck with it.

I have no experience regarding climbing, but with regard to you running again, don't despair: my dad had a hip replacement at 64 and ran a marathon about 6 months later.