total hip replacement

[BAP]

I have had 2 total hip replacements this year. One in April and one in June. My surgeon said I can cycle again but another doctor said it would be 15 mths. before I can do serious cycling again. She also said I should use an upright bike. Can anyone give me advice or the benefit of experience? am 64 and otherwise healthy and fit and have recovered well. Would a recumbent be a good solution and if so where can I buy one?

 

[smokeysmoo]

After my Mum had both hips done she was told not to sit on anything lower than 20 inches off the ground, a point also made HERE. The same site also has some specific sports pointers HERE.

So if the 20' rule applies across the board I suspect a bent would be out of the question, but then again if this is flexible dependent on an individuals needs/age/fitness etc, then your Doctor should be able to advise you. I'd find out the seat height of a few bents and speak to your medical professional.

I don't ride a bent myself, (want to try it though), but there are loads of bent people on here, so I'm sure someone will be along with the best places to buy.

 

[Fiona N]

I can't give any specific experience on the hip replacement aspect but, from the point of view of 'bent riding, you would need to chose carefully. The 20inch seat height seems to relate to the angle of the hip not decreasing below 90 (i.e. knees below hips in the normal chair sitting position) so in principle any 'bent would be OK as the movement of the legs relative to the hips is the same as with an upright but the whole body is rotated backwards. The problem would most likely be getting on and off the bent. For example, my WIndcheetah is very low and the position to get in and out of it does require a fairly extreme squat, pretty much bum to ankle. In comparison, a Speedmachine with a somewhat higher seat position allowed a simple step over, with the legs kept relatively extended when seated but with the feet on the ground. A 'bent with 700C wheels and a high-rider position (like a Challenge Seiran) might be just what you want - and no more fall potential than a normal bike.


I would avoid low 'bents just because they are harder to balance (whatever their afficiandos say ), especially when stationary and if you tip over the impact tends to be taken on the side of the hip.

 

[Dayvo]

RichP of this parish had a hip replacement in the winter. He'll probably soon be here offering advice, but I don't think it was too long before he was back on the turbo, and maybe 2-3 months before he was out on the road again.

Good luck and take it easy.

 

[markg0vbr]

as some of you know i am still held together with vereus bits and bobs of screws ect the surgeon had laying about, to repair my broken hip on jan 29th this year.
i was not allowed to put my foot to the floor for 14 weeks and then only touch my toe down for balance for a further 6 weeks.
after i had been home a month, my specialist said i was ok on my trike, i took him a picture of my trice q with the seat in the most reclined position and explained i would be using a slide board from wheel chair to trike and back with the help of my son.
peddling with one good leg and letting the other free wheel while holding the knee in with my hand so my leg did not flop out to the side, did fantastic things for my range of moment.

"I would avoid low 'bents just because they are harder to balance (whatever their afficiandos say ), especially when stationary and if you tip over the impact tends to be taken on the side of the hip. "

a trike is pretty easy to balance in fact i have had a nap on mine while track standing several times
now, i still cant walk past the end of my road with crutches but just did the 72mile ride at mildenhall rally with a average speed of 14.2 mph and have done two tours this year with some 80mile days fully loaded with camping gear.
there are trike with fantastic electric assist to allow you to slowly build your self up, while still being able to do rides with friend and family, so you are not restricted to short frustrating rides but can get out there and have fun.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

as some of you know i am still held together with vereus bits and bobs of screws ect the surgeon had laying about, to repair my broken hip on jan 29th this year.
i was not allowed to put my foot to the floor for 14 weeks and then only touch my toe down for balance for a further 6 weeks.

Amazing. After my 94year old Grandmother broke her hip she was being encouraged to walk the very next day with the aid of a zimmer frame but never the less.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Amazing. After my 94year old Grandmother broke her hip she was being encouraged to walk the very next day with the aid of a zimmer frame but never the less.

Modern medicine's ace isn't it My Mum had both her hips done with just a local anesthetic, (not at the time though), and my Dad had a knee done with just a local too

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Modern medicine's ace isn't it My Mum had both her hips done with just a local anesthetic, (not at the time though), and my Dad had a knee done with just a local too

Yep my gran had both hers done under local (because of her age). It does make you wonder what the next 100 years will bring.

 

[rich p]

BAP, I had a THR in November last year, as Dayvo says, and I was on the turbo after 6 or 7 weeks and on the tarmac after 12 weeks. I started on the local outdoor tarmac track but was soon in the road. I was fit enough and pain-free enough to cycle the Pyrenees in early June and a loaded tour of Germany in July.

I think that if it feels okay then it is okay. My surgeon told me I'd be all right to use a static bike after 6 weeks and he was right.
I'm 56 so a little younger than you but I'm fine on an upright including racing round on the drops or touring with 4 panniers.

Go for it, is my advice, but listen to your body.

I'd avoid hills at first and gradually get bike fit again.

 

[BAP]

Thanks for you contribution. It gives me a positive atitude when I hear your account. It is probably more complicated by having only 10 weeks between the 2 operations. I only stopped using crutches 4 weeks ago and I am using walking to heal my muscles and will probably leave the bike for a few mths. I was thinking of starting with my wife's "step-through" as it has a very upright position. I'm surprised you are allowed use drops as I would love to buy an all purpose "cross" bike.

BAP, I had a THR in November last year, as Dayvo says, and I was on the turbo after 6 or 7 weeks and on the tarmac after 12 weeks. I started on the local outdoor tarmac track but was soon in the road. I was fit enough and pain-free enough to cycle the Pyrenees in early June and a loaded tour of Germany in July.

I think that if it feels okay then it is okay. My surgeon told me I'd be all right to use a static bike after 6 weeks and he was right.
I'm 56 so a little younger than you but I'm fine on an upright including racing round on the drops or touring with 4 panniers.

Go for it, is my advice, but listen to your body.

I'd avoid hills at first and gradually get bike fit again.

 

[machew]

Have fun going though screening arches, my wife's BHR set them of the whole time.

 

[BAP]

Yep. I was wondering about that. Due to fly out in 2 weeks.

Have fun going though screening arches, my wife's BHR set them of the whole time.

 

[BAP]

Thanks for the information I wondered about Trikes, maybe I'll have to consider one. Ther are problems about garage space and the "cool appeal"timestamp='1314810123' post='1820808']
as some of you know i am still held together with vereus bits and bobs of screws ect the surgeon had laying about, to repair my broken hip on jan 29th this year.
i was not allowed to put my foot to the floor for 14 weeks and then only touch my toe down for balance for a further 6 weeks.
after i had been home a month, my specialist said i was ok on my trike, i took him a picture of my trice q with the seat in the most reclined position and explained i would be using a slide board from wheel chair to trike and back with the help of my son.
peddling with one good leg and letting the other free wheel while holding the knee in with my hand so my leg did not flop out to the side, did fantastic things for my range of moment.

"I would avoid low 'bents just because they are harder to balance (whatever their afficiandos say ), especially when stationary and if you tip over the impact tends to be taken on the side of the hip. "

a trike is pretty easy to balance in fact i have had a nap on mine while track standing several times
now, i still cant walk past the end of my road with crutches but just did the 72mile ride at mildenhall rally with a average speed of 14.2 mph and have done two tours this year with some 80mile days fully loaded with camping gear.
there are trike with fantastic electric assist to allow you to slowly build your self up, while still being able to do rides with friend and family, so you are not restricted to short frustrating rides but can get out there and have fun.
[/quote]

 

[BAP]

Thanks for the information. I was thinking about Trikes. I may have to consider one. There is a problem with garage space and "cool appeal" !

as some of you know i am still held together with vereus bits and bobs of screws ect the surgeon had laying about, to repair my broken hip on jan 29th this year.
i was not allowed to put my foot to the floor for 14 weeks and then only touch my toe down for balance for a further 6 weeks.
after i had been home a month, my specialist said i was ok on my trike, i took him a picture of my trice q with the seat in the most reclined position and explained i would be using a slide board from wheel chair to trike and back with the help of my son.
peddling with one good leg and letting the other free wheel while holding the knee in with my hand so my leg did not flop out to the side, did fantastic things for my range of moment.

"I would avoid low 'bents just because they are harder to balance (whatever their afficiandos say ), especially when stationary and if you tip over the impact tends to be taken on the side of the hip. "

a trike is pretty easy to balance in fact i have had a nap on mine while track standing several times
now, i still cant walk past the end of my road with crutches but just did the 72mile ride at mildenhall rally with a average speed of 14.2 mph and have done two tours this year with some 80mile days fully loaded with camping gear.
there are trike with fantastic electric assist to allow you to slowly build your self up, while still being able to do rides with friend and family, so you are not restricted to short frustrating rides but can get out there and have fun.

 

[BAP]

Thanks. I think I'll stick with an upright.

I can't give any specific experience on the hip replacement aspect but, from the point of view of 'bent riding, you would need to chose carefully. The 20inch seat height seems to relate to the angle of the hip not decreasing below 90 (i.e. knees below hips in the normal chair sitting position) so in principle any 'bent would be OK as the movement of the legs relative to the hips is the same as with an upright but the whole body is rotated backwards. The problem would most likely be getting on and off the bent. For example, my WIndcheetah is very low and the position to get in and out of it does require a fairly extreme squat, pretty much bum to ankle. In comparison, a Speedmachine with a somewhat higher seat position allowed a simple step over, with the legs kept relatively extended when seated but with the feet on the ground. A 'bent with 700C wheels and a high-rider position (like a Challenge Seiran) might be just what you want - and no more fall potential than a normal bike.


I would avoid low 'bents just because they are harder to balance (whatever their afficiandos say ), especially when stationary and if you tip over the impact tends to be taken on the side of the hip.