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Hip Replacement info.. please
Hi,
Yesterday I was given the news I need a full hip replacement. My question is the surgeon is giving me ceramic & metal, is this the best option or is there a better combination to hopefully continuing my running after the op', without wearing it out too quickly.
I race 5k's and 10 k's, plus 3 to 4 half marathons a year, along with the required training to do this.
Many Thanks 
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Hi Karl, cheers for your reply i've spoken with a few runners who have had hip replacements and they tend to agree.. the long stuff might not be an option, just depends how your rehab' goes.. then how long do you want the new hip to last. I'm 52 but would like to run on for as long as possible. Suppose that's why i'm looking for the best combo' with all ceramic.. or all steel.. or both.. with the longer lasting as the best option, My surgeon says it may last only 5/7 years if I run on it (combo ceramic/metal) So many differing views on this. Hope to find my best option before the op' in 8 weeks
One thing tho' I will run again Karl
Hope you get sorted mate 
So after running a few weeks ago at the Oldbury 10 miler in Bristol and in deep competition with my fellow 60's super vets...I felt a nagging muscular pain in my hip...and it would not go away. Over the next few days I developed a limp and finally decided that I should go for some physio, certainly worth £36 if I could get back to running
After 35 mins of pushing and pulling with the physio he thought it best that I have an xray to see if there is any damage or wearing around the hip. So now I have to wait until next Wednesday evening when I visit my physio again to discuss results....I can't sleep...I miss running..is this the end of my long and beautiful running career?? The limp/ache which feels like muscle ache but is constant and never goes is always there...strangely does not annoy me when I cycle...so maybe that is the way to go...but I will so miss running 
Next race is supposed to be the Stroud Half Marathon on Oct 23rd...and the way I feel at the moment I may attempt to limp around (I did the Bristol Half Marathon 2 weeks ago and after the first few miles got into a rhythm and forgot about the ache....but felt it the following day!) I suppose after 35-40 years of running on roads I cannot expect anything less...but I so miss my running 
Hi Trevor, Don't want to be negative.. but your symptoms mirrored mine with cycling and swimming being my only option of exercise that did not seem to nag the constant muscle ache. I also found I had.. what I thought was a constant groin strain. All of these symptoms were the surrounding muscles around my hip compensating for my damaged hip. Your x-ray should give you more information on the gaps between the hip joint. One thing though which is a real positive Trevor.. No1: If it's soft tissue damage that will heal mate.. No2: If it's a new hip needed all is not lost! I had a full right hip replacement on the 30th April 2016 and with me following to the letter the physio's rehab' plan, I was back running (steadily) from 10 weeks
I feel totally back to normal with the running now (4 months after the op') Racing both 5 & 10k's, plus completed a couple of training 1/2 marathons, all done with no pain during or after 
I have followed what my body told me.. all through the rehab' not pushing to early 
Goodluck with it all mate.
Davey I really appreciate the reply and advice from someone who has had a hip replacement. I will let you know what happens and if a new hip is on order! i shall get on with it and get ready for the slow return
Cheers Trevor
So just an update...the scan revealed mild deterioration/wear on the hip joint. My physio recommended a steroid injection and i could either wait for the NHS or pay privately at £145. Well I want to get back to some form of running asap and so I am having the injection next Wednesday Oct 19th...then some physio/exercises and he hopes to have me back running.....albeit not running more than 10k's My target is 10k and an 8 mile race at the end of Jan. Hip op was not seen as a good idea and speaking with mems of my running club most were of the opinion the injection/physio is the way to go. So still cycling but no running.....bit depressing/frustrating espec at the weekend at I miss my Sunday long run. Did try a jog last Saturday though and a 35 min run actually took me 50mins and limped most of the way....so best to keep of feet until injection/physio do their magic....hopefully
Hi Trevor, Sorry I have not replied earlier... That news is probably much better than you thought mate
Hopefully the steroid can mask the pain for a few months.. my mate who like us runs, had his hip pain reduced for nearly 3 months after one injection, but it does not heal the problem just masks it. One thing I must mention about the original x-ray I had.. it showed a very similar diagnosis to yours and I ran on it with pain & it slowed me down immensely. I did not have an injection and ran through the pain for another 5 months and then had to seek help again, which showed after another xray that my hip had to be replaced.. I know it's not great to hear, but just giving you a heads up to the possible outcomes in the future. The main thing is getting your head in to gear if it does come to a hip replacement, is to drop that OMG I can not run again attitude.. as you will run again and the wait as you recover is a lot easier with a positive attitude bud 
One thing to remind you of.. with what seems a real bugger... if a hip replacement is needed for you in the future, is mine now operates like a 20 year old hip with full flexibility & no pain at all and that's after only 5 months. My 5K PB pre-op was 20:06 I raced last Saturday and broke 20 mins with a 19:37 so do not stress just do what is necessary to forgive the pun "Get back on your feet" and run free again Trevor 
Good Luck with it all 
Decided to tackle this on 2 fronts Davey. As well as going to physio and having injection I am aware that this is in reality a "patching" up exercise. I went to see a doctor at my local surgery last night and "hobbled" in....yeah I laid it on a bit just so that I could get onto the next stage. I am also aware that hip op's are a lottery in that the NHS will try to limit the number due to budget restraints etc but in my favour I work as an usher and am on my feet all day so if I have a good argument to have the operation as without it my quality of life and work becomes limited. Looking at my xray the doc said left hip def has osteoarthritis and the right is a bit dodgy as well...(possibly get them both done?) Anyway I am on to stage 2 ie she is sending a letter to the local hospital and I will see a consultant in approx 12 weeks. I am hoping that following that consultation I will be given a date sometime next year for the op.....I don't mind waiting (which is just as well!) but as long as I can set in motion so that I will finally get back to some running (nomatter how slow!)....I am still going to the physio, the injection has helped, I cycle daily, and am doing the exercises the physio set me. The only decision I now need to make is whether or not to run a 10k at Weston Super Mare in early December.....I think I prob will as over half of the course is on sand.
That's good Trevor, better than I did.. I was to stubborn for my own good! Haha My 1st xray showed mild osteoarthritis.. with both gaps still decent.. but in my case quickly deteriorated to having nagging pain in the butt & groin area most of the time & severe shooting pains in the hip area when it catches. Even with rest it did not improve very much. Where you are at.. is a good thing! The consultant will know immediately if you need a new hip as long as a xray is taken again. I had it taken on my 1st visit with the consultant & he told me straight away it was severe osteoarthritis with no gap in the right hip, therefore a new hip was needed, possibly the other one at a later date. So.. hopefully you get to know in 12 weeks mate, I would defo' lay it on thick to the consultant that running & any other exercise has always been a major part of your life.. basically the physical & mental benefits are immense and now you can not do any exercise because of the severe pain, not forgetting the major effects on your work mate. Also tell him you are going to be as active as the new hip will allow you to be.. this should get him to give you, what he feels is the best hip for you.. I got the titanium ball/rod in the femur, which has holes in to allow the bone to grow in, therefore no glue and much less chance of loosening, this was coupled with the ceramic hip, what they use in formula 1 brake linings, immensely durable, with a hard plastic insert, in his opinion the best one for me being very active. If you do get one & your other one needs doing, they can be done together or soon after.. I was told my other hip was on the way out, but at my 8 week post op' appointment, the surgeon said it was much better then the xray showed,.so fingers crossed for you. Great your still getting out there doing any form of exercise. I actually ran a 9 miler a week before the op', on soft ground, I like you would defo' run the 10k if the hip/pain lets you. Last thing Trevor.. when I was on the way to have the hip done, I wished just to be able to run again.. yeah at any pace (does not matter) with no pain
Most likely you will & when you do the running world is your oyster again!!
Just a reminder what most likely can happen for you Trevor
If clicking on my link does not work.. just copy & paste it in your browser bud
http://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk/surgery-success
thanks for all the help and advice Davey...great article too...gives me lots of encouragement...I'll keep you posted of my progress or otherwise
Cheers Trevor... No bother at all.. glad I've helped you
I'll keep my eye out for your progress 
I hope you don't mind me 'piggy backing' your thread, but on the basis that prevention is better than cure: Is there anything that younger runners can do to reduce wear on the hip in the first place? Should we take calcium or other supplements? Should we try to run of softer surfaces?
Well Chris not sure on that I know people at my work in their 40's who have the same problem. I tend to follow a good diet and take that well known supplement Glucosamine but I have been pounding those pavements a long time! I suspect real advice would be to vary your training ie cycling and try some trail running but it's also prob a question of family genetics...some of us are prone to inherit certain deficiencies! I view my body now like something akin to an old vauxhall vectra...sooner or later certain parts wear out and need replaced. From what I can read and from a great article that Davey pointed out above you can certainly run after a hip op...however you did not ask that and I can say if I had been told that my hip might wear out with all that running...I would still run...in fact I ran this morning 5 miles...yes I can still feel the problem but will work over the next few weeks and months to hopefully resolve......sooner or later something will get us
So keep on running...try some trail running...cycling is good (I cycle all week and it hopefully keeps me fit....next race is a 10k in Dec and I plan to run...or possibly hobble 
I was put on the hip replacement waiting list today and was searching through for any information I could get. Your stories mirror my own. I too have been running for 30 years at a decent standard although probably running a bit too much than I should. Reading this has given me hope to at least be able to do some form of exercise.
Hi Lizzie, Pleased you found some relating info', to what is possible after a hip replacement. The most positive thing.. number one in my head! is as long as the op' is successful and looking at the stats nowadays most are in the 90% plus bracket, then you will have a choice of whatever you want to do, in most types of sporting activity and you being a runner.. would probably like most of us would want to run again
Top tip! is do exactly as the physio says and keep doing the exercises i'm 9 months on now and make time every day (if possible) to do them.. this has allowed me to get back in the running saddle much quicker than I ever thought. Tip No2 totally listen to your body.. if it complains ease off.. don't do what we runners always do and run on an ache or pain.. take time off and rest till you feel ready to go again. I liken this recovery time as a long distance effort not a sprint. It was touched on in the earlier posts.. yes you can run again.. but this will wear the new hip out sooner.. but my mindset has me enjoying my life fully again and that has had a lot to do with running and the excitement and fulfilment it gives me.. plus my good lady sees a happy chappy, not the sometimes miserable frustrated runner she had to put up with before the op' haha. Good luck with it all 
I got nowhere near the hip waiting list Lizzie and was told to come back in March. It helps that I am a cyclist and I use the bike to commute each day and it has been relatively easy to up the mileage. I of course just like you enjoyed the buzz of entering and taking part in events, so I have turned this energy into "sportives" and found to my amazement that there are lots around. So I can do all my training on my bike and still the odd run (I ran up Glastonbury Tor on new years eve taking my time but still enjoyed) My day job as a court usher means I am on my feet from 9.00-5.00 (and then on the bike) and I do at times feel my old hips playing up (the left is the worst but the right shows signs of wear as well) I do a little running but not as much and still enter the odd race...so I am trying to work with the effects of ageing. I have been told to come back in March and take the NHS tick test again to see if I qualify to meet a surgeon....i'll update this thread then
Good luck with the waiting hope you can run a little in the meantime. Prob like you I did too many competitive races in 2016 and should possible have been more sympathetic to my ageing but still skinny body 
Thanks very much for this. It's very positive useful information. I'll keep you posted on how I go on. I've been told the waiting list could be three months.
Hope you get sorted asap, as the return.. all be it a slow process.. is like a gift! With a new lease of active life.. with of course the normal niggles, but the intense pain you may be experiencing is no more. Happy days
<div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/Davey%20Strider">Davey Strider</a> said:</div>
<div class="QuoteText"><p>Hi Karl, cheers for your reply i've spoken with a few runners who have had hip replacements and they tend to agree.. the long stuff might not be an option, just depends how your rehab' goes.. then how long do you want the new hip to last. I'm 52 but would like to run on for as long as possible. Suppose that's why i'm looking for the best combo' with all ceramic.. or all steel.. or both.. with the longer lasting as the best option, My surgeon says it may last only 5/7 years if I run on it (combo ceramic/metal) So many differing views on this. Hope to find my best option before the op' in 8 weeks <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6027274/uploads/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif"> One thing tho' I will run again Karl<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6027274/uploads/forum/smilies/wink_smiley.gif"> Hope you get sorted mate <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6027274/uploads/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif"></p></div>
</blockquote>
Burny