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Dinghy sailing and hip replacements |
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MikeBz
Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536 |
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Topic: Dinghy sailing and hip replacements Posted: 13 Dec 19 at 9:50am |
No this isn't a joke...
Does anyone here sail with a hip replacment, or know anyone who does? If so what type of replacement did you have, what type of boat do you sail and how has it affected you? To be able to continue dinghy sailing (and walking more than a short distance in comfort) I need a hip replacement. I've been advised that if I want to carry on dinghy sailing I should have a resurfacing since it's much less prone to dislocation, and if I choose to give up dinghy sailing then a total hip replacement (THR) would be a better choice since the 10-year success rate is better (96-97% vs. ~94%). Any 'hips-on' feedback welcome.
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Wiclif
Groupie Joined: 04 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 19 at 5:37pm |
I had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing on my right hip in the year 2000 and can sail whatever kind of dinghy I want to. Sitting out and trapezing are both ok. I limp a bit, and am currently sailing a K1. The affected hip does not have quite as full a range of movement as the other one, but I can’t blame the hip for anything I can’t do. Fully recommended.
I was told the only things to avoid were bungee jumping or parachuting- unless I had to. Good luck
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iansmithofotley
Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Otley, West Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 209 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 19 at 7:33pm |
I know at least five people at my club (Yorkshire Dales S.C.), who have had a hip replacement, who race most weekends. One (lady) sails an RS 400, one sails a Phantom, one sails a Blaze, one sails a Laser and one sails a Laser and a Musto Skiff. I think that another lady, who sails a Laser Radial, has just had one. Obviously I can not comment on how the operations have affected them but, to an onlooker, they do not appear to have any problems racing their boats. I know that the Phantom sailor had problems because of the hip replacement coming loose, and he had to have it re-done, but I don't know whether or not racing his boat caused the problem, or whether it was because of the original surgery.
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MikeBz
Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 19 at 7:37pm |
Great, thanks for the responses. If I go the resurfacing route, which I am very much leaning towards, it will be a Birmingham (loike). Another concern is that the other hip is now clicking and clacking like the arthritic one and didn't look great on an MRI scan 6 months ago. Shame they don't offer bogof!
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Northern Drifter
Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 19 at 9:00pm |
I had a full replacement in January due to a bad accident. Ceramic. My circumstances are different than most replacements, as before the accident my hip was perfect, and so after the op I came out with something worse than I had before. Most replacements due to arthritis come out with something much better than they had before. For a few months I thought I wouldn't be able to sail my Blaze again, but by June I gave it a go and it was fine. Its still getting better and better, but aches after sailing. Fact is I'm a little slower around the boat, especially moving inboard for a lull. But the most difficulty I have is light winds - as usually I rest with the weight on my hip along the foredeck. On port (its my left hip) that's no longer possible - too sore, so I have difficulty finding a comfortable sailing position. With a full replacement they have to sever all the tendons, which never grow back. It is only held in place by muscle. That means flexibility and control will always be compromised. Not sure about re-surfacing, but if it means some tendons can be left in place its surely preferable. Best of luck.
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Dec 19 at 8:16pm |
Hi,
I had a total hip replacement (right) last September. The replacement was via "posterior entry" which seems to keep the tendons intact - discuss with your surgeon. I'm still sailing my Solo as well as before, the Wanderer is perfectly ok as well. I'm still carrying out Tai Chi as well (as are at least 2 other students I know about). The best advice I can give is to stay as fit as possible - that will speed your recovery. Colin |
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andymck
Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Dec 19 at 12:12am |
Dinghy sailing after hip replacement is possible. The difficulty is stability. This is a complex issue which is dependent on the quality of the soft tissues, the alignment, the approach and the size of the head compared to the neck. As a generalisation a big head is more stale, which is why there has been a discussion about resurfacing. You can get some of this benefit by going bigger on the head on a standard hip replacement. This is something one of my colleagues has done for a member at my club. Resurfacing is a thawny subject. This has been abandoned in many units due to the higher revision rates. There is a particular problem where the body reacts to the metal debris produced which can be devastating and silent till it is too late. The Birmingham is said to have a lower rate if this particular complication compared to other models, many of which have been withdrawn. The tendons are always reattached. They dont always heal, and certain approaches are associated with higher healing issues. Yes I have seen previously operated hips where the healing has been excellent and also not so good. We spent a long time discussing the best hip approach for a sailor. The minimally invasive anterior approach has a higher complication rate, especially dislocation and intra operative fracture, so ask how many have been done if this is offered. The anterolateral approach was the traditional workhorse approach, but has a higher rate of limping. The posterior approach is probably the one one I would have, as patients tend to maintain better strength when standing, as the hip abductors are not violated. There is, however a historical worry about posterior dislocation. This appears to be reducing as surgeons have got better at doing the surgery and aligning the prostheses better. Having said that, the point of risk for a posterior approach hip, is with your hip flexed and internally rotated, which is what I do when tacking. So in summary. Ask for a big head, not necessarily resurfacing. Ask to see their national joint registry data, Particularly dislocation rates Make sure they know that you need stability in flexion and internal rotation Reduce your post surgery dislocation risk by having a boat you sit in rather than on. Wait till you have to use a stick to walk to your boat, after having help to launch it Or cannot sail due to pain. Hips are probably more forgiving than knee replacement for the dinghy sailor. I have seen it work in a few circumstances, but not everyone will get back to sailing after and many get niggles. Andy Mck Disclaimer. I am an Orthopaedic hand Surgeon, but I no longer do primary total hips. |
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Andy Mck
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Dec 19 at 9:46am |
Andy,
Thanks for that. We do have an OK sailor who has had both knees replaced, still not as good a result as hip replacement, but a vast improvement on previous condition. MikeBZ You may need to consider your choice of dinghy for post-op sailing. Both the Solo and OK have deep cockpits whereas the laser/topper are almost flat. I find that I can't crouch quite as low as i used to... I tend to tack "superman" style which is perfectly fine, gybing requires just a bit more planing - and a buoyancy aid with a low profile back (doesn't catch on the boom!) Colin |
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MikeBz
Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Dec 19 at 12:50pm |
Awesome info from everyone thankyou, much appreciated. I think my RS300 days may be over, but not dinghy sailing in general.
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Dec 19 at 1:32pm |
I would think it likely that you'll be back in the 300...
I had 3 months post op with no "impact sports", then 3 months "light impact sports". That's to make sure the replacement bits aren't jarred out of position. Stepping back into the dinghy was interesting - in spite of continuing tai chi, I had to re-learn how to stand/move in the Solo. The replacement hip is about 5mm/8mm different position, so the muscle memory was just off. Didn't take too long to recover it, but it probably felt worse than it was. Hence my suggestion of a slightly more forgiving dinghy just for a few months until you're happy living around in the boat. See you on the water, Colin |
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