crossfit and total hip replacement

[Jim Moorhouse]

I had a total hip replacement a year ago and have recently started crossfit at my local gym and was wondering if any of you guys knew of anyone doing crossfit with the same problem as I.

Is there any concerns that i should be aware of? Things i can do or should maybe stay away from?

any help is good help... thx

[Marie-Paul Willett]

Hi Jim,
Funny you should ask...I have had 2 total hip replacements left and right side plus 1 partial revision due to infection in the last 15 months.
I also wanted to find out if someone else was doing this. I have a blog http://lifeat61.wordpress.com showing some modified versions of Crossfit WOD's. I started June 1st and have had noticable improvements and I see my surgeon every 2 weeks Let me know how you are doing by commenting on my blog

[Veronica Carpenter]

Jim, the owner of Crossfit Upcountry Maui has had a double hip replacement and CF's with her members.

[Steven Low]

Talk to your orthopedic surgeon about the type of hip replacement you got and the recommended activities he/she recommends.

There are different types and some are more durable for exercise than others.

[Brian Ipock]

Jim, I had my hip resurfaced a year ago, I scale my weights and some movements. I use a box jump to check my depth on all squating exercises, if I'm feeling tight on ground movements, I may set the weights on 45# plates to bring the bar a little more off the ground so I don't round my back and lose my form going to low.

Know your limitations perscribed by your doctor and work within those, crossfit is infinately scalable and adaptable. It took me a solid year before I felt like I could really get back into it. Set realistic goals and weights for yourself, as your longterm health with the implant is most important. Doing work is doing work, regardless

Brian Ipock

Team Again Faster, Adaptive Athlete

[Danny Halverson]

Jim,
I had a total hip replacement 8/16/10 at the age of 41. It took me about 3-6 months to get back to about 75% range of motion, did a lot of body weight squats and lunges to build the quad/ham/glute strength.

I do step ups instead of box jumps, no burpees due to landing on the hip-so I sub push-ups and jump squats, lunges and squats pose no problems with the hip, running (more like jogging) is done on a treadmill so I can control the terrain and footing, and jumping rope isn't an issue. I do feel a difference when I deadlift, but I've worked my way back to 275# for 5 reps just last week. I don't squat clean, but there haven't been any problems with power cleans, 185# for 5 reps last week too.
I've also had 6 knee operations, so a lot of the movements aggravate previous conditions, but the hip feels great. There really isn't anything to be painful since it is all titanium.
Use your best judgement and scale as needed. You'll see that you will be able to do more than you expect, just take it easy and be smart. Reach out if you have any questions or want to share stories
Halvy

[Frank Zedar]

I'm 67 years old and a 20 year Army and Viet Nam Vet. In younger days I ran marathons, powerlifted, played many sports, etc. I've always "gone to the gym," but as I got older, my gym sessions were getting pretty lame... Some moderate weights and then a TV watching session on a bike... My excuses were "multiple knee surgeries, shoulder rotator cuff surgery, triple bypass open heart surgery... and a total hip replacement about 18 months ago."
Then I saw the CrossFit Games on TV last year and got all fired up! I started at Flagler Beach (FL) CrossFit 6 months ago and could not believe how out of shape I was. Thanks to a great owner/trainer/coach, I have made slow, but steady progress. She modifies some WOD's for me, but I do a lot of the real deals too... even Rx'd a couple recently.
I could not do an air squat when I got here... Now I did a set of 3X5 with 155 (using West Coast Barbell power knee wraps) and am deadlifting #285.
I'm not sure if it's all "good for my hip," etc., but it sure is good for my soul!