Author: Pietro

sardinian-born kiwi, played basketball since before I could read and write, then played recreationally other sports - ice hockey, rugby and soccer. My left hip started causing intermittent pain 12 years ago, but I only took up running 9 years ago. Running slowly became my only sport as the left hip stopped me from performing the sudden turns/rotation that other sports require. I tolerated pain and movement limitation whilst improving my running, and built up to finishing 8 marathons, roughly one every year, and many more half marathons. I ran my PBs (3:43 for marathon and 1:39 for half) only one year ago. In the last year my right hip started giving serious problems and within a few months progressed to more pain than the left. I kept running but not sleeping well at night and daily problems (high steps/reaching the floor/putting socks on) convinced me to go for bilateral THR. No fancy new techniques, conventional, ceramic coated head (Exeter), polyethylene cup, lateral approach as advised by a surgeon I trust. Right hip done May 2019, left hip September 2019. Now able to reach floor, squat, and use rowing machine after 10 years. Restarted alternating 1 min walk/1 min jog today, 1st Jan 2020, 3 months after 2nd operation, finishing 5km (parkrun) in 33:37. Still 13 minutes slower than my pre-op PB but feeling great, will build up from here

9 months post surgery

Pietro

9 months after left THJR and 13 months after right THJR. First parkrun since lockdown today, 24:06. I cheekily left a lot in the tank to keep some motivation for next week, coasting the last km, and still got my fastest run since surgery by a stretch.

Only now I am starting to run comfortably. I am doing a regular 15 km run at weekends and starting to get that high feeling at times. During the week I do a couple of short runs/intervals. Once a week I go to the gym, slowly piling up weight on the squatting rack. Last week I was smiling as for the first time I could do slow, controlled lounges putting my back knee on the floor. My orthopod did say 18 months before one can feel as good as it can, and I am finding out how true that is.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

5 months post surgery

Pietro

I am now 5 months post THJR and I am running regularly, 2-3 times per week. Shortish runs, between 5 and 10km. It still doesn’t feel perfect, a few injuries every now and then, fitness well behind, and a bit stiff after a race. But what a great feeling, and good progress too. See below my parkrun time progression (surgery was at the end of September and only started running in January, before that only walking). Very happy with what I can do with a bit of patience. I am now 48”/km off my PB pace, and I know it will be another year or longer before I can feel as well as one could. Way to go.

DATE TIME AGE GRADE
29/02/2020 24:49 60.38%
22/02/2020 25:25 58.95%
15/02/2020 26:03 57.52%
08/02/2020 27:08 55.22%
01/02/2020 29:28 50.85%
25/01/2020 29:41 50.48%
04/01/2020 32:14 46.48%
01/01/2020 33:37 44.57%
21/12/2019 34:46 43.10%
14/12/2019 35:07 42.34%
07/12/2019 35:27 41.94%
30/11/2019 36:19 40.94%
23/11/2019 38:04 39.05%
16/11/2019 38:37 38.50%
09/11/2019 44:26 33.46%… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

4 months post-surgery

Pietro

I went to the local park run today. I started a few intervals and then a few jogs in the last 3 weeks, picking up a torn left calf and an ache in the lateral aspect of the knee just by the fibular head. Injuries caused by slowly improving limp on the left (most recently operated side) which still has a moderate abductors weakness. The injuries are still bothering me but I opted to keep going as long as I don’t make it worse. I managed to run the whole 5k in 29:41, without any walking breaks. Felt good the first 3k, then slowed down due to left calf pain. It’s a far cry off my pre-surgery PB of 20:50 but I feel great, the hips are fine, and it is definitely going to get faster. Now rest then a 7k race in 3 days. Whoo-hoo!… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

3 months post-op, 1st jog

Pietro

Today I have given myself the best New Year present. Right hip done in May 2019, left hip in September 2019. Both were THJR with posterior approach. I still have abductors weakness and a limp on the left, slowly improving. I am now able to reach the floor, squat, and use a rowing machine for the first time after 10 years of very limited mobility. Today (3 months after the second operation) I started alternating 1 min walk with 1 min jog,  finishing a parkrun in 33:37. That’s 13 minutes slower than my pre-op PB but what a great feeling! I will build up from here. Up and onward.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

2 months post-op

Pietro

2 months post THJR now. I am not running yet, but in the last few weeks I have challenged myself to power walk a parkrun (5km). Managed just under 50 minutes 2 weeks ago, under 45 last week, and 43:30 today. My hip is obviously improving. The hip and surrounding muscles felt very stiff and sore for a few hours after the parkrun, but every time I have recovered well and the day after I found my mobility improved. I am still walking with a limp, but now I am confident I could run – well, slow jog with a limp – between 7:30 and 8:00 minutes/km if I wanted. However, no point rushing and taking risks. I walk regularly, work the legs in the pool, and I will start a few gym sessions. Second THJR on the other side coming soon. I can definitely see myself running now, ideally 3-4 months after the second procedure.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

6 weeks post-op

Pietro

So 6 weeks post right THJR. Slow going, though mostly good. The best thing is that I am sleeping well at night, on either side, and the stabbing pain in the right hip that used to wake me up so often at night has gone (the left hip, yet untreated, has very limited movement but pain settled over the years).

The surgery and the new hip, according to the OS seen yesterday, went well. No leg length discrepancy, and good looking X-ray. I got rid of one crutch 2 weeks ago (week 4), and yesterday (week 6) I replaced the single crutch with a cane, though I limp along without aid for short distances. I have quite some damage to the hip abductors: currently I have a Trendelemburg gait on the right, and can only bear weight on my right leg if I lean right quite a lot, but it is slowly improving. I am walking in the pool with progressively low water level to get to walk straight. And I only need a minimum of support from the cane, just a touch to the ground, so I am hoping to get there.

Since the left hip is not painful and currently is the one bearing the weight, the 2nd hip op (on the left) is now postponed, and I am glad of that. I will see the OS again in 6 weeks and we’ll go for it if my right hip is strong enough.

I read of so many people who walk perfectly fine after a few weeks. I seem to be taking the long way home, but it is getting slowly there nonetheless. So for now I focus on walking properly. Running is still there as target, but in the distance. Oh well. Patience, patience, I am told.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)

2 weeks post-op

Pietro

hi everyone, just joined this club, reading all posts with interest.
I am a 51 year old sardinian-born kiwi, played basketball since before I could read and write, also played recreationally other sports – ice hockey, rugby and soccer. My left hip started with intermittent pain 12 years ago. I took up running 9 years ago when the hip stopped me from performing the turns/rotations that other sports require and, well, caught the bug. Additionally, running allowed me to shed 17Kg and stop antihypertensive+statin that I had been for a few years (creeping up BP and lipids). I am now 71.5 Kg at 6’2″ tall.  I coped well with pain and movement limitation whilst improving my running. Finished 8 marathons and many more shorter races. I ran my PBs (3:43 for marathon and 1:39 for half) only last year. Then my right hip started off and within a few months progressed to more pain than the left. I kept running but not sleeping well at night, problems with high steps/reaching the floor/putting socks convinced me to go for bilateral THR. Conventional, ceramic, lateral approach as advised by OS I trust. Right hip done on May the 30th. Tough first few days to be frank, but now improving 2 weeks out. Still on crutches, no heavy painkillers, only paracetamol and ibuprofen (I think tramadol made me sick and moody the first few days). My recovery is not as smooth as others I read about on this forum – still achy at night, and stepping normally is not possible yet as there is a very painful “catch” if I do that without crutches, but remaining positive. I intend to restart running -it has been too good for me to give up -but won’t rush it. Ideally I would start slowly 4 months after surgery, but the left side procedure will probably come before that. Will post with follow-up on progress, but any comments/suggestions welcome.… (Click Here to View Full Post and Comments)