Like I've said, I was released with Zero restrictions after 5 weeks and my job is physical alot of the time. I played the following week. I had a little discomfort the 1st couple times I played, but it went away. Curious, how did they do yours, G?
Mine's the right side, btw.
Mine was lateral.
I had full left hip (I'm RH) done via anterior (front) approach Jan 2019. I skipped playing a year before surgery because it hurt so damn much & it just killed my mediocre swing by not being able (afraid) to get through to my left side. I was hanging back, flayling away with an arms-only swing ..... I hated playing because I couldn't keep up with anyone so I said frig it, I'm done.
I then skipped the year after surgery because I didn't want to try to start over & pick-up even more bad habits so I'm going to give it a go this spring.
As far as pain after surgery, none came as a result of surgery. My hip was bad for so many years I had begun making lots of compensations when walking, bending, ...... just any moving. Geometrically and anatomically things were just out of alignment & I had some muscles I was overworking & some that weren't doing much at all. Surgery repaired my left hip joint but did nothing for my underworked/overworked muscles so I've been working on trying to get back to normal for a 69 yr old. Gym 4x a week plus yard work last year was working well but then COVID hit & that was it for the gym. Now winter is here so no yard work or even casual walking so we'll see what happens in a few months.
Got an upcoming appointment with an orthopedic specialist, initial consult, to get the ball rolling. Just had X-rays done confirming essentially what I already knew, that I have severe degenerative osteoarthritis in my right hip.
It started hurting off and on about 3 years ago. Pain became more frequent two years ago. The past year has been nothing but pain. Can't drive anywhere longer than 30-40 minutes without feeling like someone is stabbing my hip/thigh with a kitchen knife. If I stand longer than 15 minutes, I gotta find a seat. Then when I sit, I can't sit longer than an hour. Tired of going up steps one step at a time, not being able to put my socks on without a sock-aid, not being able to clip my own toenails... not getting out of a chair without using my arms to pull myself up, etc.
I've not played golf now in two years basically. So six months, eight months, another year, whatever... just knowing that maybe I can get back to doing everyday normal things again is more than enough for me at this stage, but also knowing that perhaps I can get back into the game on some level at some point?!!!
Looking forward to those days again! Appreciate the post and the replies! Very timely for me, as I am beginning this journey myself.
Wise to take it slowly with the posterior approach. Although, pivoting on that leg in an aggressive fashion is not advised for all approaches. Six weeks is the normal post surgery recovery time for healing with hip precautions. But it’s not ready to just jump in and go full bore. Of course, walking is good all along but the golf swing is too dynamic to take a chance immediately after that time. I think between the 6-12 month mark you will get a feel for what’s good for you.
I figure I can hold off till May, then the urge will be too strong and I'm going to give it a go. It seems to me a right leg (for a righty) would be easier to come back from. Doesn't seem like it would be stressed as much. Even before surgery every once in awhile I'd catch my left foot where it'd kind of get stuck and I'd get a hip or knee pain. I quit wearing spikes so my foot could slide if I make a bad swing, usually OTT which would strain the hip/knee. I wish I had gone for surgery in November. April will be 5 months though, so there's still some time.
PA-PLAYA Sounds exactly what I went through except my pain extended over 6 years. Just wasn’t ready for surgery ((never had any prior). I was ready physically but during that time I was still running my own business and couldn’t take the time off. Once retired, the time was right.
I do wish I had done it sooner if I was able.
One thing I can tell you is that eventually you will be pain free and able to do the things you used to do, including golf.
From everything I've heard here and from friends who have had it done, I'd be requesting lateral, no front, no back, but what do I know. My surgeon said he did it that way because I'm a big fella. I reckon less soft tissue to go through. I had surgery on a Tuesday, released after 2-3 PT sessions in the hospital on Thursday and was actually walking without a walker on Friday. Still have that video somewhere. I will say my physical therapist chewed my ass for it, but I couldn't help myself.
PA-PLAYA Got an upcoming appointment with an orthopedic specialist, initial consult, to get the ball rolling. Just had X-rays done confirming essentially what I already knew, that I have severe degenerative osteoarthritis in my right hip.
It started hurting off and on about 3 years ago. Pain became more frequent two years ago. The past year has been nothing but pain. Can't drive anywhere longer than 30-40 minutes without feeling like someone is stabbing my hip/thigh with a kitchen knife. If I stand longer than 15 minutes, I gotta find a seat. Then when I sit, I can't sit longer than an hour. Tired of going up steps one step at a time, not being able to put my socks on without a sock-aid, not being able to clip my own toenails... not getting out of a chair without using my arms to pull myself up, etc.
I've not played golf now in two years basically. So six months, eight months, another year, whatever... just knowing that maybe I can get back to doing everyday normal things again is more than enough for me at this stage, but also knowing that perhaps I can get back into the game on some level at some point?!!!
Looking forward to those days again! Appreciate the post and the replies! Very timely for me, as I am beginning this journey myself.
I'm excited for you, Brother.
Have not had it done so cannot provide a personal experience. However, I do know a number of close friends who have ( some both hips) as well as my brother and can say that to a person they all kicked themselves for living so long with the pain.
As for recovery times that will vary based on the procedure, extent of the bone decay and removal as well as the other things which can impact recovery times: age, obesity, smoking, general health etc.
My younger brother was late 40's maybe 50 when he had his first done. He keeps himself in excellent physical shape, surgeon still suggested he drop a few pounds so he dropped from 175 to 160 in 3 months leading in. He recovered fairly quickly and was doing his extreme hiking and playing hockey again within about 4 months. My buddy down the street who is in his mid 60, smokes and a bit heavy had a longer recovery period. Couldn't play softball ( the running so used a pinch) for a good year.
good luck !!
Well this quite encouraging. Several golfers I played with had hip and knee replavements, all eventually abandoned golf, most seem to just not have the energy to play. Also all they do now is sit around, I am not sure the hip the issue, to lazy to put the work in to have the get up and go.
But since 2008, February I have tried everything to avoid the inevitable, left hip replacement. Exercises, shots, otc, script meds, PT and finally I come to the last option. Going to have relearn my gokf swing, all the adjustments and compensations I have been doing so I could play golf need to go. At least my golf buddies wont be laughing anymore at mu unique swing style
Got the word today, got the prep list, now to get the cllearances and then do it. I read other posts and threads here, so I have a few questions for my Doc on Monday. If I get my act together I should have a new hip by the end of March.
I had a left hip replacement a little over a year ago. Pain was unbearable for 5-7 years. Best decision of my life. I now can play golf pain free (except for my arthritic right knee ). My wife and I walk our dogs 3+ miles every day. I now totally trust my new hip on the golf course. Not yet 100% sure in other activities but pretty close.
It did take me awhile to trust my new hip and go back to my "“old" pre-hip swing. Now I can swing away with no pain. You will love your new life.
Left side (for right handers) sucks. I'm fortunate that it was my right hip. Now I've dealt with a fucked up left knee, and it sucks. I gave up for 2 years. Now after a Dr Marc Galloway says he can help, I'm very optimistic. My left knee feels better, right now, 10 weeks post op from the re-do, than it ever did after the 1st surgery. I haven't played in over 2 years and I'm soooo looking forward to the time I can get back out there, scores be damned!!
There's a bunch of Buzzards I wanna play golf with. Some of you, I wanna play golf with AGAIN!!
Hey Martee!
Right there with ya. My hip replacement surgery is scheduled for March 30th. Surprised that they could get me in as soon as they did.
The surgery takes about an hour. Doc said he would have me discharged and back home the following afternoon, if everything goes to plan. Just bought an electric lift recliner a week ago, and am already putting it to good use. Looking forward to getting this done and doing all of the required therapy afterward to get back to active living again!
Who knows... might even start swinging a club again before the end of the year if all goes well.
Although I have to gut out another month of suffering, there's hope again! 
