Hip Replacement

[Glaserbeam]

Hi All.  

3 weeks ago I had my left hip replaced, due to a bicycle accident.  4" vertical scar in the front.  I used a walker for the first 2 weeks, and a cane the past week.  No longer need painkillers, but it hurts to sit/stand/bend down.  Today even took a few steps without the cane.  I see the surgeon next week for the one-month followup.  The physical therapist emphasized that twisting/turning/radical movements of the left leg could dislodge things.  I'm wondering, from those who've had left hip replacement, how soon could they ride?  My concern isn't the riding and stopping and putting my feet down to support the bike, but the leg/hip movements needed to mount and dismount the bike.

Thanks, and hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Ken, in So Calif.

[rocketray]

your physical therapist -if a good one  can make all the difference in the world--it won't be for a pansy but worth it if you stay with it

[John Schmidt]

I'm surprised you used a walker for two weeks, only time I used one was in the hospital cuz they made me use it. Once at home all I used for a few days was a cane, walked into the surgeon's office without using anything on the two week followup. I also had the anterior method, have a 4" scar on the front of the right hip and was riding in less than 3 weeks.

[cookiedough]

I think it varies patient to patient, but one would think 1 month or so would be good to go if all goes well with surgery. 

Yah,  once ON the bike, even with bad hips,  is the easier part, but getting on/off swinging leg over with bad hips is the hardest part for me.   I have to grab my right front pant/shorts with my right hand and help lift my right leg over the front seat.  NO way can I swing my right leg OVER the rear seat, not even close. 

[NewValker]

Hi Ken, when I had my left hip replaced, I talked to the PT woman, showed her my bike, and she added some exercises to get on & off pain free. Dr. said no bike for 8 weeks, I believe I was riding in 7.
When the right hip was done, I was riding in 5 weeks. At 12 weeks, I dropped Oprah on an isolated dirt lot on a dead end road. It took 3 tries, but I got her up without any hip damage! The drop was pure stupidity, nothing to do with the new hips.

Craig

[JimC]

I dislocated mine (not fun) about two weeks after surgery. I made the mistake of twisting my torso as I started to walk off while my left leg was still planted to the ground. BIG MISTAKE!

I was able to get onto the bike in 6 to 8 weeks. What I do to mount is a sort a short hopping motion with my bad leg (left) that keeps me from twisting it while under a load. The short hops are only enough to take the weight off the hip as I turn my foot or leg.

Jim

[da prez]

I was on the bike in two weeks. The issue was the Dr? did the anterior method , but the scar was horizontal. It saved him about five minutes in surgery. I never used the walker after I left the hospital. I was off pain meds in two days.  I am totally different with pain.  The issue I had was I had to look to see if my leg was down. I have some severed nerves in my leg. Now thru muscle memory I have very little issues.  I also have two replacement shoulders.

                                            da prez

[Glaserbeam]

Thanks to all who've answered so far.

Jim C - that was very useful info.  I will need to develop a new mount/dis-mount method like you have.

Ken