I'm contemplating a hip replacement surgery, and I'm intertested in hearing the experiences of those who have had it done and your experiences in returning to diving.
Thanks,
Dennis
Thanks,
Dennis
Diving after hip replacement
- Thread starter BuoyantC
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
OP
Well it's almost a month later, and I haven't heard any responses. I'm having the surgery next week and I'll post my progress.
Dennis
Dennis
Sorry I didn't notice your post earlier. My wife has had both of her hips replaced (same time). My wife has no trouble with diving. We do dive fairly conservative profiles and we try to avoid weight bearing for my wife. We usually drop her gear in the water and she puts the BC (weight integrated) on in the water. I do a bit more of the heavy lifting for her now. Her hip replacements gave her quality of life again. She was in a wheelchair part time before her surgery.
The surgery has been a God send for her. Feel free to e-mail or PM with any specific questions. Good luck!
The surgery has been a God send for her. Feel free to e-mail or PM with any specific questions. Good luck!
OP
Thanks for the positive outlook! I just had my surgery Thursday. All went well, and I can't believe how little pain there was. I was released from the hospital two days later, and am getting around fine with a walker.
The incision is still tender and there is some swelling, but heck it's only been four days! I'll post occasionally with my progress, and anyone contemplating the surgery feel free to contact me.
I'm curious 'Swimswithsharks' how long was your wife out of the water? I'm hearing anything from 3 months to a year.
Dennis
The incision is still tender and there is some swelling, but heck it's only been four days! I'll post occasionally with my progress, and anyone contemplating the surgery feel free to contact me.
I'm curious 'Swimswithsharks' how long was your wife out of the water? I'm hearing anything from 3 months to a year.
Dennis
BuoyantC:
Dennis,
I hope all is well with your recovery. My wife was out of the water for about 7 months but that had a lot to do with opportunity not just recovery time. And, remember, she had them both done at the same time. Recovery with one should be a lot quicker. Keep us updated.
SteveC
Contributor
A friend of mine had to have a hip replacement while in his 40’s. The doctor told him that it may have been diving related since he has seen a higher than usual percentage of hip replacements with divers than with non-divers. I don’t know if there is actually any data on the subject, just thought I would throw it in for thought.
OP
I hadn't heard anything of a higher incidence of joint replacement among divers. I know DAN's website doesn't list anything. As for my hip failure at 57, who knows. The Dr. said it could be anything from old injury to a family predisposition. All I know is I've always used that side exclusively to carry weight.
But here I am only a week and a half after surgery, and I get around fine. Other than discomfort at night for which I use pain meds, I'm really just limited by the precautionary restrictions of range of movement. Yesterday I was even on a pontoon boat helping out as my wife was conducting open water dives! (don't tell my Dr.!)
Dennis
But here I am only a week and a half after surgery, and I get around fine. Other than discomfort at night for which I use pain meds, I'm really just limited by the precautionary restrictions of range of movement. Yesterday I was even on a pontoon boat helping out as my wife was conducting open water dives! (don't tell my Dr.!)
Dennis
OP
Okay here's a one month post surgery update:
The Dr. had me wear a TED stocking on the operated side for the whole month and take blood thinners for that time. I was not cleared to drive during that period, althouth I could have easily done so for a limited amount after 2-3 weeks. Also my Dr. did not want me in water, pools, spas included, because of staple holes around the incision. Showering was okay.
There was very little to no pain at all, and I stopped using any meds even at night after about three weeks. The most discomfort was in my ankle which must have gotten wrenched during surgery somehow.
After the first week maybe, I used crutches instead of a walker. By the second week I only used one, and it almost seemed more nuisance than help. By one month, the Dr. said a cane outdoors was fine and I didn't need to use that around the house, and I could part with that at the 6 week mark.
So 28 days after surgery we flew back to Saipan from the states - about 30+ hrs total travel time. That went as well as it ever does, but getting bulkhead seating made it easier to get up and down. Every layover was at least two hours so speed walking wasn't ever necessary and it actually felt good get up and walk.
Now we're back home and the only issue is how long I have to watch my wife and friends dive without me! The time frame I've heard - my Dr. being a non-diver - is about 3 months to resume normal activity. I think I'm going to work out in a pool and make my own assessment there.
In case anyone is contemplating this surgery, feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to share experiences.
Happy Diving,
Dennis
The Dr. had me wear a TED stocking on the operated side for the whole month and take blood thinners for that time. I was not cleared to drive during that period, althouth I could have easily done so for a limited amount after 2-3 weeks. Also my Dr. did not want me in water, pools, spas included, because of staple holes around the incision. Showering was okay.
There was very little to no pain at all, and I stopped using any meds even at night after about three weeks. The most discomfort was in my ankle which must have gotten wrenched during surgery somehow.
After the first week maybe, I used crutches instead of a walker. By the second week I only used one, and it almost seemed more nuisance than help. By one month, the Dr. said a cane outdoors was fine and I didn't need to use that around the house, and I could part with that at the 6 week mark.
So 28 days after surgery we flew back to Saipan from the states - about 30+ hrs total travel time. That went as well as it ever does, but getting bulkhead seating made it easier to get up and down. Every layover was at least two hours so speed walking wasn't ever necessary and it actually felt good get up and walk.
Now we're back home and the only issue is how long I have to watch my wife and friends dive without me! The time frame I've heard - my Dr. being a non-diver - is about 3 months to resume normal activity. I think I'm going to work out in a pool and make my own assessment there.
In case anyone is contemplating this surgery, feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to share experiences.
Happy Diving,
Dennis
Similar threads
