Skiing after hip replacement?

[Lyzzyski]

Anyone have experience of getting back on the slopes after a (anterior) hip replacement? Especially keen to hear recovery times and stories!

 

[Skiwino]

Anyone have experience of getting back on the slopes after a (anterior) hip replacement? Especially keen to hear recovery times and stories!

What does your surgeon say? I’m also interested in hearing about others’ experiences, as I will face that surgery myself within the not too distant future. Although I’ve read about many skiers who ski post surgery, it’s also my understanding that skiing is on the “no” list after a total hip.

 

[nopoleskier]

What does your surgeon say? I’m also interested in hearing about others’ experiences, as I will face that surgery myself within the not too distant future. Although I’ve read about many skiers who ski post surgery, it’s also my understanding that skiing is on the “no” list after a total hip.

I haven't got a hip replaced but do know a few that have and they do still ski...

 

[marzNC]

I've read several stories of people who skied after hip replacement. Skied with a man in his 70s at a destination resort who had both hips done and a partial knee replacement. He's still most definitely an advanced skier who is skiing far more than just groomers.

Interesting . . . found a study done in 2000 comparing two groups, one group participated in alpine or cross-country skiing after recovery and the other didn't. After the 10 year followup, the conclusion was that "Our findings, combined with the results of previously-published biomechanical studies, do not provide any evidence that controlled alpine and/ or cross-country skiing has a negative effect on the acetabular or femoral component of hip replacements. The results of the biomechanical studies indicate, however, that it is advantageous to avoid short-radius turns on steep slopes or moguls."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919294

Per usual, every medical situation is somewhat unique. So recovery time and how much skiing can happen afterwards depends on the individual patient's PT process and tolerance for risk. But for someone who is at least a solid intermediate skier, returning to the slopes seems like a reasonable goal.

 

[marzNC]

Here's what a orthopedic surgery group in Syracuse, NY has on their website about winter activities after joint replacement surgery. That includes hip and knee replacements.

https://www.sosbones.com/news/winter-sports-after-joint-replacement/

" . . .
Activity level prior to surgery is another important indication on a return to sports after a joint replacement. According to a July 2008, study in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, more than half of all joint replacement patients were able to return to sports that they were very active in pre-operatively within three years of undergoing surgery. If patients were avid skiers before surgery, most likely can still continue with modifications like only skiing on groomed trails with no jumps, bumps or uneven slopes.
. . ."

 

[marzNC]

There are definitely Australian men skiing after hip replacements. This thread was started by the son asking on behalf of his 75yo father in 2018. Replies include a few from seniors.

https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/skiing-after-hip-replacement-surgery.81739/

 

[Lyzzyski]

What does your surgeon say? I’m also interested in hearing about others’ experiences, as I will face that surgery myself within the not too distant future. Although I’ve read about many skiers who ski post surgery, it’s also my understanding that skiing is on the “no” list after a total hip.

Hi I'm super thrilled to hear from my surgeon today (3 weeks post op meeting) that if you rehab well after 3 months your risk of hip dislocation will be as good as it will be after a year... which he means get strong and try skiing after 3 months go easy - but enjoy - don't do anything to insane. which is JUST fine for me. I like big carving turns, corduroy suits me just fine, thankyou very much... I'm incredibly happy to forego moguls and deep steeps and off piste- just want to get on the snow! whoopee!

 

[Skiwino]

I haven't got a hip replaced but do know a few that have and they do still ski...

That’s encouraging and good to hear. Thank-you.

 

[Skiwino]

Hi I'm super thrilled to hear from my surgeon today (3 weeks post op meeting) that if you rehab well after 3 months your risk of hip dislocation will be as good as it will be after a year... which he means get strong and try skiing after 3 months go easy - but enjoy - don't do anything to insane. which is JUST fine for me. I like big carving turns, corduroy suits me just fine, thankyou very much... I'm incredibly happy to forego moguls and deep steeps and off piste- just want to get on the snow! whoopee!

That sounds good to me!

 

[Skiwino]

I've read several stories of people who skied after hip replacement. Skied with a man in his 70s at a destination resort who had both hips done and a partial knee replacement. He's still most definitely an advanced skier who is skiing far more than just groomers.

Interesting . . . found a study done in 2000 comparing two groups, one group participated in alpine or cross-country skiing after recovery and the other didn't. After the 10 year followup, the conclusion was that "Our findings, combined with the results of previously-published biomechanical studies, do not provide any evidence that controlled alpine and/ or cross-country skiing has a negative effect on the acetabular or femoral component of hip replacements. The results of the biomechanical studies indicate, however, that it is advantageous to avoid short-radius turns on steep slopes or moguls."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919294

Per usual, every medical situation is somewhat unique. So recovery time and how much skiing can happen afterwards depends on the individual patient's PT process and tolerance for risk. But for someone who is at least a solid intermediate skier, returning to the slopes seems like a reasonable goal.

Thank-you for the information, @marzNC. I appreciate it.

 

[Obrules15]

I've read several stories of people who skied after hip replacement. Skied with a man in his 70s at a destination resort who had both hips done and a partial knee replacement. He's still most definitely an advanced skier who is skiing far more than just groomers.

Interesting . . . found a study done in 2000 comparing two groups, one group participated in alpine or cross-country skiing after recovery and the other didn't. After the 10 year followup, the conclusion was that "Our findings, combined with the results of previously-published biomechanical studies, do not provide any evidence that controlled alpine and/ or cross-country skiing has a negative effect on the acetabular or femoral component of hip replacements. The results of the biomechanical studies indicate, however, that it is advantageous to avoid short-radius turns on steep slopes or moguls."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919294

Per usual, every medical situation is somewhat unique. So recovery time and how much skiing can happen afterwards depends on the individual patient's PT process and tolerance for risk. But for someone who is at least a solid intermediate skier, returning to the slopes seems like a reasonable goal.

I pulled the full text of this article and there are a few things about it that are interesting. First, the surgeries were done between 1986 and 1989. The quality of our prosthesis' are much, much, better now than they were thirty years ago, therefore I'm not sure how valid the conclusions are about avoiding short radius turns, moguls and steeps.

They talk about the concern for wear on the polyethylene surfaces and how that may cause complications. The newer hips have metal and ceramic surfaces so this should not be an issue (there are still polyethylene hips being implanted, but they are better quality).

Finally, when you dig around in the data you see that the active patients really have a much, much better result over all so the big picture take away IMHO (I'm not an Orthopedic Surgeon) is that the risk/benefit for skiing on a replaced hip greatly skews to the benefit side. Good Luck!

 

[freckles]

I patrol with a man who's had his hip replaced. Granted, we are at a smaller hill, but he's doing great. Last winter, as he was rehabbing, he pretty much patrolled on foot, checking out the magic carpet and bunny hill. He's back to "normal" this year, skiing with everyone else.

Good luck and be well!

 

[marzNC]

I pulled the full text of this article and there are a few things about it that are interesting. First, the surgeries were done between 1986 and 1989. The quality of our prosthesis' are much, much, better now than they were thirty years ago, therefore I'm not sure how valid the conclusions are about avoiding short radius turns, moguls and steeps.

They talk about the concern for wear on the polyethylene surfaces and how that may cause complications. The newer hips have metal and ceramic surfaces so this should not be an issue (there are still polyethylene hips being implanted, but they are better quality).

Finally, when you dig around in the data you see that the active patients really have a much, much better result over all so the big picture take away IMHO (I'm not an Orthopedic Surgeon) is that the risk/benefit for skiing on a replaced hip greatly skews to the benefit side. Good Luck!

Thanks for the details. Certainly makes sense that being active helps with recovery and rehab, as well as ongoing exercise at a reasonable level.

 

[durtgurlskiing]

I had a total hip replacement in February 2017 at 63. I was skiing up to a week before surgery and resumed on-hill in winter 2017-2018. No issues.

Granted I was a strong skiier before plus I have a landscape maintenance business that keeps me fit. The point being, if you were a good skiier before and strong going into surgery, you'll be fine back on the hill afterwards...just not in the first 6 weeks.

Skiied powder this past Monday and it was effortless and put's no undue stress on my hip. I do not ski moguls and ice at all anymore for fear of a significant twist and/or fall, but other than that it's all good on the mountain! Go for it.

 

[Skiwino]

Thank-you for your input, @durtgurlskiing. Very encouraging information. May I ask, what was your surgeon’s recommendation for resuming skiing post-surgery?

 

[durtgurlskiing]

Get strong, no skiing for 6 months after surgery and don't do stupid stuff. Ride a bicycle, cross country ski, mostly get fit!

 

[Lyzzyski]

thanks for sharing your experience!! awesome ! i too am 63 and will try to get on the hill this winter but only after i get back in shape- its going to take time and work. but a great goal!

 

[Xrayeyes]

I had both of my hips replaced approximately three years ago using an anterior approach and an excellent surgeon. I was skiing approximately five months postop with no issues whatsoever.

 

[Skiwino]

Thank-you for your encouraging input @Xrayeyes. Had one consult in Nov. Following up elsewhere at the end of this month. We’ll see how it goes.

 

[Xrayeyes]

Good luck with everything. Make sure you have a surgeon that has lots of experience with anterior approach hips. I highly recommend Dr Carter in Virginia