My rehab took longer than expected. Not that I had any idea what to expect. I just figured I was healthy otherwise and worked hard before the surgery to strengthen everything I could. I was back on my feet quickly, they have you up and walking pretty much immediately. I was back swimming after about 1 month although I got dizzy when I exerted myself but that went away quickly. I was back on my bike in less than 2 months.
I did rehab from the week after I got out of the hospital 2-3 times a week for at lest 1-2 hours for about 2 months or more. I had goals and my doctor said there was no reason I couldn't reach them. My physical therapist was awesome. I wanted to do more but he said no and told me why. Things have to heal and bone has to grow around the implant. More is not better even if you feel like you can do more. When I backed off and did what my PT said I made faster progress and no pain. It was hard work and not easy but I wanted every degree of range of motion I could get. I achieved what I wanted and could not have done it without my PT's help, mentally and physically. After our workout he would work on my range of motion, literally pushing against my leg to get more. Not easy for either of us but we did it.
I completed a sprint triathlon in August, I did the swim and bike and had someone else run for me. I hadn't got back to running yet.
It took a good 3 months after the surgery before I felt stable on my hips again and felt like they would support me in anything I did. I could finally go forward and get stronger or get back to what I was before my hips went bad. That took longer than I thought.
I finished a Half Ironman Triathlon last year, 1 1/2 years after my surgery. I did the whole thing, 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. I loved every minute of it. I had a grin the whole time and even cried at the finish. I know everyone thought I was crazy but most people didn't know I'd had two hips replaced recently and it meant so much to me to be able to complete that triathlon. You just never know what another persons story is. I may even do another one, the training is a time commitment though. In the mean time I'll continue swimming pool and ocean and do sprint and olympic triathlons and biking events.
My friends may even talk me into a 1/2 marathon (I don't care for running, never have even before hip issues) but may do San Francisco, I'm told you get a Tiffany necklace at the finish and the training with my friends is priceless. We have so much fun the healthy benefits and races we compete in are really a side effect of the ridiculous fun we have together. We push each other to accomplish bigger and better goals along the way. Priceless.
Life is going to throw stuff at you, how you handle it is up to you. Ignore people who don't support you, I had and still have so many people that tell me I'm crazy to do what I do. My doctor says I'm doing great and the only thing I should need is the plastic liner replaced in about 15-20 years which he says is an easy surgery. He said I should not need the whole implant replaced ever. I hope he's right, that would be awesome.
I can't tell you how many people pretty much wrote me off when I told them I was having a double hip replacement. I was surprised, a lot of people really thought that was it for me, I would have trouble even walking the rest of my life let alone do anything athletic. Made me so mad. How does anyone have the right to set or give you limitations even before surgery. It was amazing. So to all those people I hope you learn that life isn't over for people that have orthopedic issues.
Life is good, it's definitely a journey. When the journey is tough just know that there is sunshine always on the other side. It's the beauty and curse of life, it will change.
I did rehab from the week after I got out of the hospital 2-3 times a week for at lest 1-2 hours for about 2 months or more. I had goals and my doctor said there was no reason I couldn't reach them. My physical therapist was awesome. I wanted to do more but he said no and told me why. Things have to heal and bone has to grow around the implant. More is not better even if you feel like you can do more. When I backed off and did what my PT said I made faster progress and no pain. It was hard work and not easy but I wanted every degree of range of motion I could get. I achieved what I wanted and could not have done it without my PT's help, mentally and physically. After our workout he would work on my range of motion, literally pushing against my leg to get more. Not easy for either of us but we did it.
I completed a sprint triathlon in August, I did the swim and bike and had someone else run for me. I hadn't got back to running yet.
It took a good 3 months after the surgery before I felt stable on my hips again and felt like they would support me in anything I did. I could finally go forward and get stronger or get back to what I was before my hips went bad. That took longer than I thought.
I finished a Half Ironman Triathlon last year, 1 1/2 years after my surgery. I did the whole thing, 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. I loved every minute of it. I had a grin the whole time and even cried at the finish. I know everyone thought I was crazy but most people didn't know I'd had two hips replaced recently and it meant so much to me to be able to complete that triathlon. You just never know what another persons story is. I may even do another one, the training is a time commitment though. In the mean time I'll continue swimming pool and ocean and do sprint and olympic triathlons and biking events.
My friends may even talk me into a 1/2 marathon (I don't care for running, never have even before hip issues) but may do San Francisco, I'm told you get a Tiffany necklace at the finish and the training with my friends is priceless. We have so much fun the healthy benefits and races we compete in are really a side effect of the ridiculous fun we have together. We push each other to accomplish bigger and better goals along the way. Priceless.
Life is going to throw stuff at you, how you handle it is up to you. Ignore people who don't support you, I had and still have so many people that tell me I'm crazy to do what I do. My doctor says I'm doing great and the only thing I should need is the plastic liner replaced in about 15-20 years which he says is an easy surgery. He said I should not need the whole implant replaced ever. I hope he's right, that would be awesome.
I can't tell you how many people pretty much wrote me off when I told them I was having a double hip replacement. I was surprised, a lot of people really thought that was it for me, I would have trouble even walking the rest of my life let alone do anything athletic. Made me so mad. How does anyone have the right to set or give you limitations even before surgery. It was amazing. So to all those people I hope you learn that life isn't over for people that have orthopedic issues.
Life is good, it's definitely a journey. When the journey is tough just know that there is sunshine always on the other side. It's the beauty and curse of life, it will change.
