Can I Ride Again ??!! - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

MOTORCYCLEBOY · 07-04-2005, 05:12 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

balleteach · 07-04-2005, 12:04 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

Ripanco · 07-04-2005, 05:37 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.

Ripanco · 07-04-2005, 05:43 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

MrsLinda · 07-06-2005, 08:23 AM

Hi Lee! Welcome to our world!! Glad you found us!

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.....