Hiking

[claudia]

I just can't fathom being able to hike on something other that flat terrain again. 
I am so looking forward to hiking and I want to plan a hike for a few months out from my surgery in June.  My question is  - at what point, if my recuperation is average, and my general overall condition is pretty good, would I be able to handle moderate inclinations on a trail?
How would I train for inclines while i am healing from surgery. 
I am thinking that knee issues might pop up since I haven't normally hiked a trail in sometime.
(I've hiked using the "two step" method of climbing - sort of like I go up stairs or a ladder).
I'm thinking September or October?  Or is that unreasonable?
Thanks!

[Marco Polo]

Claudia:

As has been repeated numerous times on this Board, everyone recovers at a different rate.  That being said, I feel three months post -op would be pretty safe.  (I am at 8 weeks right now and feel I could do moderate hiking.)

I recommend buying some good trekking poles. They will help considerably.

[claudia]

Yep - I have some awesome trekking poles that I used even before my hip went bad.  The shok-absorbing type.  Dr. Gross even suggested that in lieu of a cane I could use a pole after i was off the crutches.   
I was thinking that 3 months out would be good - give a month or two.  I am more worried about my knee on the side of the bad hip.
Curious if anyone has done any hiking on the Appalachian Trail post hip resurfacing (the southern part between Virginia and georgia). 
Thanks!

[hernanu]

And good hiking shoes. I got into a bit of trouble on my second when I used some not so great shoes and developed pain in the middle of my foot.

It turned out that I was putting too much stress on the middle of the foot when walking (bad mechanics, as my podiatrist showed me). The podiatrist, who seemed excited to see something new, showed me a slight thickening of the bone at the joint in the middle toe of my left (supporting) foot due to the extra stress. Apparently we're supposed to put most of the weight on the outside and inside of the foot.

He repeated that it was a result of improper walking technique, prescribed good shoes and inserts. It took a few months to eliminate the pain, the area is still a little stiff (nowhere near problematic though), and will work itself out, but it was something I couldn't have fathomed.

I did buy some hiking boots with good support, inserts for all of my shoes, and replaced my work shoes with some suggested shoes.

I bought a pair of Clark's shoes, Merrell Jungle mocs relaxed shoes, Hi Tec Men's Altitude IV hiking boots. For inserts, I used the Spenco Polysorb Total support, which have been great. I even got the Spenco flip flops (Polysorb Total Support Sandals), since I spend a lot of the summer in those. I'm sure you can find the same or better on other brands, but those worked for me and kept my podiatrist off my back.

I wasn't taking chances again. The pain subsided, but having spent so much effort in recuperating from the hips, it ticked me off that I had neglected the most basic thing that I should have remembered: good footwear.

[Arrojo]

Dr. Su gave me the full go ahead to everything, except run, at 3 months.  Check with your doctor.  I hiked up a mountain with a friend at that point.  Enjoy your new hip!

[mustang4172]

Claudia-

I had the bilateral procedure on 12/31/2012.  Almost two months later, I did some short (1-1.5) mile hikes on packed snow trails in Vt. (my family skied and I hiked trails with my dog).  I took it easy on the ascents and descents (I had traction treads on my hiking shoes) but I felt pretty good.  About one month later I was back in Vt. on the same trails, only this time with snowshoes and poles.  I felt a lot stronger at 3mos. (I'd been doing 3x week PT up to that trip) and really didn't have any pain with moderate climbs.  So, if you feel good in September, I'd test the waters with some short hikes and increase as you feel stronger.

Good luck!

[John C]

Hi Claudia,
Another Dr Gross hippy here, now about five years out. I was hiking a lot of hills on smooth paths by three months, and doing long hikes on mountain trails by five months. Four hours was about my comfort limit for about one year.

John

[kimberly52]

Hi Claudia,

I was doing groomed trails up in the Adirondacks at 5 weeks and used my cane about 1/2 mile at a time.  I just had my 6-week check up with Dr. Clarke a few days ago and he is okay now with a few miles at this stage of the game, no more than 3-4 until I return for the 6-month check up.  The one thing he said was not to wear a pack.

I will return to the daks and this time use my hiking poles and have hubby carry my daypack.

Enjoy your outings!

Kim