I am 61 and was first diagnosed with hip OA nearly 10 years ago; hip replacement was suggested as an option at that time. I decided to hold off as long as I could so that I could continue to run, play ice hockey, downhill and cross-country ski, do cross-fit, etc. I’ve run about 7 or 8 marathons in that time, and probably average about 30 km per week. Although I’m still running, I’m generally experiencing more pain and a recent x-ray confirms that I have advanced OA. I probably am going to have to undergo a THR in the next year or two. I have 3 questions for you THR veterans out there, and would really appreciate your advice!
1. The orthopedic surgeon I recently consulted is a big advocate of PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections to buy more time before requiring a THR. However, as far as I can tell, there is not much for scientific trials that clearly demonstrate the efficacy of this treatment. Can anyone who has tried this treatment let me know how it worked for them?
2. Are there particular designs or materials used in THR surgery that would be recommended for someone who is hoping to be able to continue to run and to do other vigorous activities? My surgeon is not that keen on running as a post-THR activity; should I be looking for another surgeon – one who accepts that running is part of the plan and can optimize my treatment accordingly?
3. The stories on this website of people who have gone on to complete amazing running accomplishments is truly inspiring. However, do we know much yet about how running long-term on a replaced hip affects the life span of the device? Are there examples out there of people who have been running for 15+ years on their new hip?
Thank you for any help!