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Hello New Brothers and Sisters. And thank you for being here. I have already found the wisdom in all of your posts invaluable.

Moreover, I am extremely grateful to have discovered there are others out there like me. I am ecstatic not to be alone anymore! Unlike my real family, I have a new family that understands me and my need to run. I finally have someone I can talk to!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m also grateful for my real family. After all, they are just concerned about my health and wellbeing. My 87 year old mother thinks I’m “nuts.” My daughters are a bit more kind. They classify my desire to keep running as one of my “eccentricities.” My real brothers are less kind. Whenever we meet one of them inevitably exclaims, “How can you run? You can’t even walk!”

I have also been reprimanded by strangers who have stopped their cars to offer me assistance after watching my awkward gape. I didn’t know my limp had gotten so bad. And get this: The other night I was lectured by one of the young kids at the track as I slugged my way around the outside lane. Even hardcore runners think I’m crazy!

Maybe I am a little crazy? Perhaps. But I guaranty I would be a lot more crazy if I gave up running. I came to this conclusion, very painfully, at one of the trail races this past summer. My daughter brought a lounge chair so I could sit at the finish line and watch. Imagine that! I used to race every week (in the middle of the pack). Now I was reduced to a lounge chair? I cried that night. I don’t care what the doctors say. I WILL NOT GIVE UP RUNNING! THE PAIN FROM NOT RUNNING HURTS A LOT MORE THAN ANY PHYSICAL PAIN GENERATED BY MY OLD, ARTHRITIC BODY.

I have exhausted all other treatments and remedies except those offered by faith healers. It is time for me to come out of my state of denial. It is time for me … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I’m curious to know what brand / model devices folks are running on.

Any real life success stories (or challenges) are welcome.

Thanks!… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

With XC Season in full swing, I have been forced to take a break from running competitively.  It is a nice break.  In my last post, I indicated my knees were really really sore.  I am getting PT for it and they are getting better.  I was given some new stretches so that my hips will be more flexible.  And surprise surprise, these stretches have kind of started making my hip hurt a bit.  I am sure it is because I am working the joint more than I have been, so I am not too alarmed….but for now, I am just in maintenance mode with my running.  XC season will be over at the end of this month and I will re-assess my situation.

Today, the following message was posted by a woman named Robbin under ‘The “Hip” Runner’s Club” Page….

I had a RTHR March 2013! Having worked as a Orthopedic nurse helping others recover from post-op procedures, I never imagined I would go under the knife. I was a 7 mile a day runner and I thought I was going to die not running. All the other cardio equipment at the gym did nothing for me. After I found this site, I started to RUN and boy do I feel GREAT! I just started running two months ago and complete 3 miles at 5.0 every 2 days. I gained 30 ponds after my surgery, so I’m working hard to get my weight back down.

We should unite at an annual conference! Cheers!

Isn’t that the case for anyone who gets a hip replacement?  When all you’ve ever known before was running….it is so easy to add the weight afterwards when you have to give up the running.  The same thing happened to me when I was first diagnosed with arthritis in the hips.  I gained weight.  For many, the options are 1) Stop running….and possibly gain weight (if you don’t find an alternative way to burn calories) or 2) Keep running, stay in shape and risk a hip replacement down the road.    I chose option 2.  I am … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I’m a 47 year old male who has been active as a runner for the past 20+ years.

I even got involved with smaller scale on-road and off-road triathlons before my left hip became chronically sore to the point that I have basically stopped running as of earlier this summer.

My primary goal is to be pain-free so that I can have a normal daily life (play with kids, do yard-work, basic day-today activities).

But if I could return to some level of jogging, running, biking, etc…, that would be a huge bonus.  (I’m much happier when I can run 3-4 days a week…even if its at a slower pace).

I’m looking for REAL stories / feedback to find out if it’s realistic to return to these activities via FHP or Resurfacing.

I welcome all response and feedback!

 … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

It was another successful year with the DHD Boys (Dirty Half Dozen + 6).  My downhill leg was easier than I thought and I was able to average 5:45’s on that leg.  My other 2 legs weren’t as easy and I had trouble holding 6:35’s for those legs.  Still, that first leg made me feel faaaaaaast.  This was the 29th straight year for the Dirty Half Dozen + 6.  Six of these guys all went to High School together way back in the day.  I am lucky enough to be one of the “Plus Six”.   We finished 6th in our division – in the medals.  This year the team’s pursuits were featured on www.oregonlive.com.   I am grateful that I was able to take part again.  The hip did awesome.  Seriously!  I am 2 years and 8 months post hip and I didn’t even notice the hip.  The bigger issue was my knee.  My right knee is still recovering from a hard hit I took during Hoopfest.  I have decided to take a small break from racing while I give it time to recover.

Changes…

Over the weekend, I modified the front page to have a login link.   Just a simplified way to get logged in to the site.  I also replaced my “Hip” Runners list in the side bar with the most active Hip Runners who post.  If you create a post, you will be in the list.  This is all due to the fact that I could not keep up with the number of registrations coming in.

Also……..

I’m working on a shirt, and have a prototype in hand.  I hope to have them for sale on the website.  Here are some pics of the front and back….

For the sake of production, let me know if you are interested.  I don’t plan on making a killing on this shirt….just want you to be able to advertise…..how tough you REALLY are.

Happy Running……

 … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I took up triathlons in April 2012.  Did my first sprint tri in Dec 2012 after losing 60#.  Then in April 2013 I was hit by a car while cycling.  A hip repair surgery was unsuccessful to in late Oct 2013 they did a full hip replacement.

So after a very long layoff and recovery from the two surgeries I started training a few months ago.  On Saturday I did a modified triathlon Swim/Bike/Swim subbing the second Swim for the Run.  I just needed to get an event back under me again.  Hoping to do another event late this year with the run.

Feels great to be back at it.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I just got this in the mail yesterday.  It’s not a first place award, but I’ll take 2nd place without complaint.  I left all of my SDP running buddies home, so it helped to clear the way for me to place in my age group.  Pretty cool little trophy.  I especially like the  adjustable  whammy bar.

A motto to live by: “You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing”.

HIP Runner Dixon.  I have to send a shout out to our oldest “Hip” Runner.  Dixon H is 91 years strong and a hip replacement did not stop him from running in the USATF Masters Track Championships this summer.  He sent me a video of his race and asked me if I knew of ways to improve his speed.  You can check out his performance here: Dixon’s 800 Meter Run – 2014 Masters Nationals Age 89-99.  Dixon lines up in lane #2 on the track (Red Shorts – White Tank).  Being out on the track at 91 years of age is proof positive that Dixon is one “THR Tough” Hip Runner.  Way to go Dixon!  If you have any points that might be useful, shoot them his way.  Way to stay young Dixon!  You are an inspiration to us all.

New Hip Runners.  The list continues to grow.  Welcome our newest “Hip” runners….and help them by providing feedback, once they are able to post.

Michael L –  Hi, I have just found out I have a Labral tear of the cartilage in my left hip, I’m a 55 year old triathlete and have experienced increasing discomfort and a decline in range of motion over the last 18 months. Does anyone have any experience or comments on treatment options please ?

Brittney K – 

I had two total hip replacements at the age of 17 and 18.. I’m now 23.  I used to be a soccer player. When I got my hips done my doctor told me that I couldn’t run anymore and I’m not allow to do any real exercise except for therapy.

Hey everyone we have some new “Hip” runners to add to our growing community.  Be sure to welcome them enthusiastically after they post their first posts:

Cathy G – Hello!  I had hip arthroscopic surgery in November 2013 and I had a large Labral tear repaired with three anchors and CAM & pincer impingements shaved down. During surgery, the OS also found that I have a rare hip disease called Synovial Chondromatosis which is a tumor that makes tiny cartilage pieces (looks like rice) and fills-up the space in my hip joint. Since this condition is so rare, I don’t know a whole lot about it and I don’t know anyone who has been diagnosed with it. I also have damaged to the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve from the hip arthroscopic surgery that I deal with every day, along with some pain and very limited ROM due to the hip disease.   I ran before my surgery in November but could only go about 3 miles before I would need to stop because of pain. Now, I’m up to 8 miles and working towards my first HM. I still have pain but I don’t want to stop running! I’m addicted completely and luckily my OS is supportive of me running! I know that a THR is in my future. I’m just trying to hold off for as long as possible and just hope that I can keep running into my old age. I’m definitely inspired by your story because I worried that a THR would mean that I would have to stop! I have hope!!By the way, I started a running group on Facebook called FAI and THR RUNNERS so we can start share stories and support each other. We are a unique breed!

Kristin – THR at the young age of 47 in January of 2014.  Out of Winona, MN, Just wants to be a member of the club.

S Marie – I am a very active person, I’ve run marathons, danced, hiked etc. I am not happy that I had to have hip replacement! Even saying it makes me

I’m now at 3 weeks past surgery. I’m one of the ones who fell into a new hip. I’ve felt so many sore muscles in places I didn’t even know I had muscles like from trying to slide over to the side of the bed and then get up . I still can’t put a sock on my THR side foot but I can do it with a reaching arm device or, even better with my husband, Randy, nearby. I don’t understand what muscle it is that won’t let me reach that foot but I am getting closer.

I went back to work day 4 after surgery but hadn’t expected to be so exhausted. I may have pushed going back too soon, even though I only worked 5 hours/day at first, and am a speech therapist in a hospital. I’ve been walking a mile but am not happy with the way it feels. First I had to learn how to walk bringing my THR leg through straight instead of hip going out and toe turning in. That’s working ok now. I’ve always felt my walking stride was jostling and jarring. I think my slow shuffling jog has less impact than walking so as soon as my legs will let me. I will start transitioning to a gentle jog and later on to running.

My goal at this time is still to run Marine Corps in October. Hopefully with my husband in sight now and then. And for now we will be volunteering at the Keys 100 this weekend instead of running the 50 miles we had entered.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I am very excited, yet a little tenative about joining this group.  I had a right THR 1/15/2010.  The procedure went well & I had an excellent recovery and have been working out since 12 weeks post-surgery.  Mostly biking, elliptical & fast walking.  I have managed to lose 25 lbs in that time, but really want to lose 20 more.  With that in mind I started adding a little bit of running in with my walks.  I was told by my doctor to never run.  Wanting to not believe him I started googling about running on a THR .  Most articles said NO!  However one thing I read made me reconsider running as an option.  It was about the load on your hips during certain activities- the load with walking 3 mph was 3.75 & running 7 mph was 6.  Well I was walking @ 4 & running @ 6- so I didn’t see a significant difference!  Still I was afraid.  I kept running a little & surfing the net for info.  About 4 months ago I googled again and that’s when I found hiprunner.com.  I bought the e-book & was convinced it wasn’t as risky as I was lead to believe.  So I bought a new pair of running shoes (Nike Pegasus)  and started a Couch to 5k program.  I ran into a little trouble once I started running- but on the non THR side.  I got a bad case of Piriformis Syndrome & was forced to back off.  Currently I am doing a run 1 min/ walk 1 min routine for 45 minutes 4-5 times a week.  Hoping to do more in the future.  Glad to find a group of like-minded & brave (lol) people.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

I’m 58 years old. I’ve been running ultras for over 25 years.  My first 100 miler was Wasatch in 1987 and my last 100 miler was  Hardrock completed in 2010. I’m a middle to back of the packer and just love going distance. Over the past 6 years I noticed something was going on with my hip. There was no pain so I ignored it. It became more and more difficult to tie my shoe on that leg.

It wasn’t until this past April that the hip stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. I was training to run another 100 but I just couldn’t do it. I started to limp and drag my leg. Running just didn’t work. I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t get the pain under control. My knee on the same leg was really hurting. PT tried to help me but said it looked like I needed a hip replacement. Xray showed large bone spurs and flattening in the joint. 3 different doctors said I needed a hip replacement. So I decided I would do it during the winter.

The pain subsided when I quit trying to be active or walk. But I still had the limp and people asked about it. I wasn’t even aware of it. The fall was spent mostly small hikes dragging the leg and strengthening the legs by mountain biking.

After Christmas I didn’t feel a lot of pain and questioned the whole decision to have the surgery. That is when I found this site and found support in what people wrote. I noticed other people had similar knee pain of the IT band associated with the bad hip. I also noticed others did not have the extreme pain. I decided I would work out for the two months leading up to surgery and see how I felt. I needed to know that this was the right thing to do. I actually ran twice before I came up limping. Then I went to jogging and the limping aggravated my good hip so much I had to stop that. So … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

Sorry for the long delay in posting. I had a left total hip replacement March 5th. I had some complications from all the different drugs I was given. The hip surgery went fine. Right afterwards my heart rate and blood pressure dropped. I spent 3 days in ICU, had two units of blood, a heart ultra sound, a brain MRI and found out everything was functioning fine. Once they got my blood pressure and heart rate stabilized I spent two more days in the regular ward, only to find out all the pain meds made me very nauseous.  I feel like I failed my “Dressing 101” class in the hospital and barely passed my PT walking up and down the hall because I was so nauseous and had to get back to bed. I walked and did stairs with no problem except a spinning head. After 5 days we headed home. At home I tried a different pain med with the same nausea results. My next two days were spent in bed, still too sick to get around. I quit all pain meds and started taking Tylenol as needed for pain. On day 8, things took a turn for the good. I was up and able to start walking laps on our deck. There is still 2 to 3 feet of snow around the house. We live remotely in the mountains.

I met with my surgeon yesterday for my two week check up. He was very happy to see me feeling better. I asked how far he thought I should be able to walk now and he said 1/2 mile and keep adding as it feels right to me. I feel the first 7 days resting was a good thing and has not held me back at all. I was able to do my PT handout and got another one yesterday to continue to build on. He reminded me these first 6 weeks are critical for healing and not to overdo it. I went into surgery in good shape, x country skiing 7 to 10 miles almost daily, which I … (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

Our  group continues to grow.  From a personal trainer/ironman triathlete, to an individual who runs to be happy……..Please welcome 6 new hip runners:

Rick R: (Aug 2007-Reconstructed OCT 2011): I have run 5 marathons on my BHR.  and then my cup broke out from my ace-tabular. I was able to have the inventor of the BHR fix me in Birmingham England. I have since competed in the 2013 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii among many other races. Super grateful for Dr. McMinn and another chance.

Kevin G: (March 2010): I would just like swap stories and progress with other hippies

Cheryl G: (AUG 1985):  I would like to share my success with my replacement, this year will be 29 years since my original surgery.

Robin D: (TBD): Would love to share my progress.

Christine W: (MAR 2006):  I was a runner for almost 30 years (never competitively), when disabling hip pain indicated an alarming absence of cartilage in my left hip. The deterioration progressed quickly, and I had a THR at age 54 (8 years ago). I recovered quickly and now do almost everything *except* running. I have been speed walking and have completed two half-marathons. The most recent was 3:15. A friend who is a rheumotologist said that it was ridiculous to forbid running and that the docs were being overly cautious–I have never forgotten that, and now I want to try!

Amanda O: (JUN 2007): I had a full hip replacement at age 30. I’m now 43 and running daily – perhaps more than I should. I keep my miles down – almost never more than 5 miles – and try to listen to my body. If I start having pain I back off. I was advised against running by my doctor and for the first couple years I didn’t run much. But after going through some stressful periods, I found I really needed running to stay happy. So I’m still running. I run occasional 5ks (and one 10K a year). It makes me happy.  I know it’s not advised, but I’m hoping for the best because I

Hi everyone, love reading your posts on your recovery from your hip replacement op’s, wish I had found this when I had mine 3 years ago! Obviously against the surgeon’s recommendations, I have started to jog (I won’t say run, I can’t go that fast!) again in the last 6 months, feeling that surely by now everything in my new hip would be settled.  I started out with strength training to get my core muscles under control and last weekend I completed my first  10km fun run.  I was happy on how I went, especially my recovery, because I am doing another one this weekend!  I must admit though, my hip is starting to niggle, I refuse to take it as a “warning sign”!  Will go back to brisk walking and strength training post next race until the next one in April. Was wondering if there is anyone out there that is in my time line with a new hip, and how far/often they run? Do they have any lingering soreness afterwards?… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)