MOTORCYCLEBOY
07-04-2005, 08:12 AM
Hi, I have just found this site today and i am very impressed with the fantastic amount of information available. Hopefully some of you will be able to ease some of my concerns about my fast approaching hip replacement. I am 35 years old and due to have my left hip replaced in couple of months due to AVN. I am a biker and bikes are my one great passion. Until yesterday i have looked toward my post op recovery as a great excuse to buy a new bike!
Yesterday I took my wife, kids and parents to an orthopaedics (sorry if the spelling is wrong) fundrasing day where surgeons where demonstrating the hip replacement procedures, which was very interesting and informative. My wife was speaking to one of the surgeons about my situation and he pretty much told her to get rid of my bike!! and that once the replacement has been done, my femur will be badly weakened and if i fall off my bike and land on that leg, there is a good chance that i will brake the bone and end up in a wheelchair. My wife and father are now convinced that i have to get rid of my bike and if i don't i will end up in a chair for the rest of my life. It seems to me to be a case of scaremongery and i have never heard of anything like this before. Can anyone tell me if there is any truth to this or any major concerns about weak bones ? Of course i know riding motorbikes is dangerous, i've been riding them long enough to know this, it was an accident 10 years ago that has lead to me being in this situation now. However much i would like to do the sensible thing and buy a car, i can't bear the thought of not having a bike.
here's hoping
Lee
Yesterday I took my wife, kids and parents to an orthopaedics (sorry if the spelling is wrong) fundrasing day where surgeons where demonstrating the hip replacement procedures, which was very interesting and informative. My wife was speaking to one of the surgeons about my situation and he pretty much told her to get rid of my bike!! and that once the replacement has been done, my femur will be badly weakened and if i fall off my bike and land on that leg, there is a good chance that i will brake the bone and end up in a wheelchair. My wife and father are now convinced that i have to get rid of my bike and if i don't i will end up in a chair for the rest of my life. It seems to me to be a case of scaremongery and i have never heard of anything like this before. Can anyone tell me if there is any truth to this or any major concerns about weak bones ? Of course i know riding motorbikes is dangerous, i've been riding them long enough to know this, it was an accident 10 years ago that has lead to me being in this situation now. However much i would like to do the sensible thing and buy a car, i can't bear the thought of not having a bike.
here's hoping
Lee
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balleteach
07-04-2005, 03:04 PM
Lee, Welcome to our board!! I'm so glad you found us. It's very important to educate yourself about THR and recuperation. Be sure to go back and read some of the past posts, they are full of info and will answer some of your questions. I'm the oldest THR on the board, 10yrs tommorow, July 5th. My husband and myself traveled to visit friends in Cozumel, Mexico a few years after my hip-replacement and we rode a scooter each day all over the island. It was great and I had no problems, except stiffness from sitting so long. That is a common complaint amongst the hippie hipsters. You really do get stiff from sitting and need to get up and move around frequently. My opinion is that there is always risk in life, with or without THR, and anything can happen at anytime. My neighbor fell in the bath tub and dislocated her THR, so it can happen anywhere. Of course, motorcycle riding in itself is more risky, but if you love it, I don't think you should have to give it up. Maybe exercise more caution and don't ride in bad weather conditions. My husband rode Harleys when he was younger and one of the most dangerous parts of being on a motorcycle are cars. There are a lot of crazy drivers out there. After your recuperation you will have to see how you feel, but I wouldn't rule out riding in the future. Are you still riding now and does it cause hip pain?
Keep posting with updates on your condition and ask us any questions you can think of. We are all here to help...balleteach
Keep posting with updates on your condition and ask us any questions you can think of. We are all here to help...balleteach
Ripanco
07-04-2005, 08:37 PM
Hi Lee,
Welcome!! I am the newest THR on the board:). I had simultaneous bilateral THR 6 weeks ago. So I can not speak to you from experience on how much I will be doing in the coming months. What I can tell you is what my OS has told me.
Now I am extremely biased that I have the most wonderful, skilled, marvelous surgeon in the entire world, :) so make sure you talk about all this with the surgeon that is scheduled to do your surgery.
I have been told I will be able to ride horseback, downhill and crosscountry ski, run some, bike, roller blade, weight train, and lots of other stuff. Plenty of these activities carry a fair amount of risk, but no more than before surgery. You accept the risk. True you may injure your hip, but you may injure lots of other parts if you fall. If you love biking, you will still love it with your new hip. Even more. I do not think there is any weakening of the femur from THP, at least that has never been mentioned to me.
Welcome!! I am the newest THR on the board:). I had simultaneous bilateral THR 6 weeks ago. So I can not speak to you from experience on how much I will be doing in the coming months. What I can tell you is what my OS has told me.
Now I am extremely biased that I have the most wonderful, skilled, marvelous surgeon in the entire world, :) so make sure you talk about all this with the surgeon that is scheduled to do your surgery.
I have been told I will be able to ride horseback, downhill and crosscountry ski, run some, bike, roller blade, weight train, and lots of other stuff. Plenty of these activities carry a fair amount of risk, but no more than before surgery. You accept the risk. True you may injure your hip, but you may injure lots of other parts if you fall. If you love biking, you will still love it with your new hip. Even more. I do not think there is any weakening of the femur from THP, at least that has never been mentioned to me.
Ripanco
07-04-2005, 08:43 PM
Opps, sent that post off before finishing!! Fingers going faster than brain!
I wanted to say that surgeons vary greatly. The first OS I saw said he would not do my hip relacements if I planned to run again! He was very adamant about it. However, the surgeon I chose, while not thrilled that I wanted to run again did not say I couldn't. He chose the right hip material to help me get back to running and I will promise not to do any running on hard surfaces or for extra long distances.
Good luck with your surgery, and check out this board for lots of great info. The folks here helped me get ready for my surgery with lots of wonderful informations as well as encouragement. Keep us posted.
Andrea
I wanted to say that surgeons vary greatly. The first OS I saw said he would not do my hip relacements if I planned to run again! He was very adamant about it. However, the surgeon I chose, while not thrilled that I wanted to run again did not say I couldn't. He chose the right hip material to help me get back to running and I will promise not to do any running on hard surfaces or for extra long distances.
Good luck with your surgery, and check out this board for lots of great info. The folks here helped me get ready for my surgery with lots of wonderful informations as well as encouragement. Keep us posted.
Andrea
MrsLinda
07-06-2005, 11:23 AM
Hi Lee! Welcome to our world!! Glad you found us! :wave:
I'll add my two cents worth in here! :) You can be walking in the street...trip and BINGO! There goes our new hip!!
I wouldn't give up your motorcycle. I would however, be more aware of the conditions when riding. I wouldn't use it as my sole means of transportation anymore. But I would invest in a car.
You mentioned "wife and kids". When you all go out as a family what do you use? Does your wife have a bike too with a sidecar for the kids? Just curious.....
I'll add my two cents worth in here! :) You can be walking in the street...trip and BINGO! There goes our new hip!!
I wouldn't give up your motorcycle. I would however, be more aware of the conditions when riding. I wouldn't use it as my sole means of transportation anymore. But I would invest in a car.
You mentioned "wife and kids". When you all go out as a family what do you use? Does your wife have a bike too with a sidecar for the kids? Just curious.....
MOTORCYCLEBOY
07-07-2005, 05:32 AM
Hi, Thanks to Balleteach, Ripanco and MrsLinda for your replys, it's nice to hear some positives. I have spent the last couple of days reading all the previous posts on the board and i have to say, it's very refreshing to hear about everybodys "REAL" experiences instead of listening to the standard waffle from the medical proffesionals...!! Not saying that anything they say is wrong or carefully scripted to promote confidence !!! but it's just nice to hear the good and the bad from the people who have experienced it and lived with the consequences. If there is one thing i have taken from this board, it's the reality that everybodys experience is unique and individual, no two ops are the same, as no two people are the same (and so it would seem, by the posts, are no two surgeons views).I am sure you will all agree that whatever happens we all just deal with things as they arise and take each day as it comes. As for my own situation, i feel a lot better than i did a couple of days ago. I am very aware of what my limitations are, although i am only a couple of months pre-op, and in a lot of pain all the time, i am still riding my bike :) it's painful getting on and off, but once on the move, i am as mobile as anyone else, and above anything else, it - as always gives me a huge sense of spiritual freedom, whether i am popping down to the shops for a paper or going for a day out on all my favourite roads, and as you were all keen to point out, you never know whats around the corner, and something as simple as slipping on well hidden piece of doggy doo could well be enough to get you in trouble ;).
I am prepared to sell my bike before my op and i know i am going to have to take six months out which is fine, we do have a car (although dw and the kids in a sidecar sounds like great fun, and i think they would agree). hopefully when the time is right, dw and my pop realise how grizzly i am without my bike, and they will be ok with it. I am a sensible and considerate rider and i like to think that i am very aware of all thats going on around me (all you crazy box drivers :D ).
Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble on. I have got my pre-op assesment next friday (15th) so then i should have a better idea of what type of replacement i will be getting (and when), so i will be in touch.
take care all
Lee.
I am prepared to sell my bike before my op and i know i am going to have to take six months out which is fine, we do have a car (although dw and the kids in a sidecar sounds like great fun, and i think they would agree). hopefully when the time is right, dw and my pop realise how grizzly i am without my bike, and they will be ok with it. I am a sensible and considerate rider and i like to think that i am very aware of all thats going on around me (all you crazy box drivers :D ).
Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble on. I have got my pre-op assesment next friday (15th) so then i should have a better idea of what type of replacement i will be getting (and when), so i will be in touch.
take care all
Lee.
MrsLinda
07-07-2005, 07:27 AM
Morning hippy friends! How is everyone feeling? We're bracing for some bad weather from Tropical Storm Cindy. No wind but lots of rain. I hope I can keep some appointments tomorrow. I'm not driving rather taking the Subway. But the appointments are scattered all over Manhattan. We'll play it by ear I guess.
Lee - why are you selling your bike? Can't you just store it somewhere until you feel you're ready to give it a try?
Well I hope everyone is enjoying the summer without pain. I'm doing well. I'm still exercising at home trying to stregnthen this muscle. We'll see. Well enjoy the day all! :wave:
Lee - why are you selling your bike? Can't you just store it somewhere until you feel you're ready to give it a try?
Well I hope everyone is enjoying the summer without pain. I'm doing well. I'm still exercising at home trying to stregnthen this muscle. We'll see. Well enjoy the day all! :wave:
TxWingMan
07-25-2006, 02:16 PM
Hi, Lee:
I just signed up because I am scheduled for a THR in a month and have the same question you did a year ago - Can I ride again? How did things turn out and are you riding again. I ride a GoldWing and can't stand the idea of not being able to continue that and riding my ATV in the swamps and forests of Louisiana.
I would really like to hear about your post-op experience.
Joe, aka TxWingMan
I just signed up because I am scheduled for a THR in a month and have the same question you did a year ago - Can I ride again? How did things turn out and are you riding again. I ride a GoldWing and can't stand the idea of not being able to continue that and riding my ATV in the swamps and forests of Louisiana.
I would really like to hear about your post-op experience.
Joe, aka TxWingMan
Ripanco
07-26-2006, 03:52 PM
Hi Joe,
Too bad we haven't heard back from Lee, would love to hear how he made out! But I would wonder, since I am horseback riding including jumping and soon fox hunting, why would you not be able to ride a bike?? I mountainbike too. Not exactly the same, but I just can't see what restrictions you would have that would keep you from riding your motorcycle. Of course you don't want to lay it down, but then I don't want to fall off the horse either, both hurt wether you have had hip relacement or not:).
Good luck with your surgery and PLEASE come back to keep us posted!
Andrea
Too bad we haven't heard back from Lee, would love to hear how he made out! But I would wonder, since I am horseback riding including jumping and soon fox hunting, why would you not be able to ride a bike?? I mountainbike too. Not exactly the same, but I just can't see what restrictions you would have that would keep you from riding your motorcycle. Of course you don't want to lay it down, but then I don't want to fall off the horse either, both hurt wether you have had hip relacement or not:).
Good luck with your surgery and PLEASE come back to keep us posted!
Andrea
TxWingMan
07-27-2006, 04:51 PM
Thanks, Andrea. I'll keep checking to see if Lee comes back around. I talked to a young man today at the Honda shop who had to have a THR and major pelvis reconstruction due to an accident. He rides about everything else but a GoldWing, but says the 'Wing has too wide of a tank and seat combo for comfort. I may have to either get a custom seat or go to a Valkyrie or cruiser of some type, but I'm keeing the 'Wing for at least a year to try and make it back. Like you say, if you can take horseback riding, you should be able to take a bike.
Thanks again.
Joe
Thanks again.
Joe
Ripanco
07-28-2006, 10:12 AM
Joe,
OK, so I have no idea what the different motorcycles are and just never even thought about different widths, learn something new every day! For the most part with THR, keeping your knees apart is a good thing. I wonder if the guy at the shop had more trouble because of the other reconstruction. What does your surgeon say? For sure hang onto your bike tho!!!
Andrea
OK, so I have no idea what the different motorcycles are and just never even thought about different widths, learn something new every day! For the most part with THR, keeping your knees apart is a good thing. I wonder if the guy at the shop had more trouble because of the other reconstruction. What does your surgeon say? For sure hang onto your bike tho!!!
Andrea