Ice Hockey Goalie Update

[Gibby]

I have been playing ice hockey as a goalie for over 50 years. I am 57 and playing a the highest men's league level in my area. I have severe OA in both hips. I still play but have to consume 4 Advil before a game and a couple after. I am athletic, 6"2" and 220 lbs. Over the past 4 to 5 years i have not been able to get into a butterfly position because if the OA and hip impingement in both hips.


I have investigated arthroscopic hip resurfacing surgery with Dr. Marc J. Philippon from the The Steadman Clinic, total hip replacement and hip stem cells.  Due to the OA I was not a candidate for arthroscopic hip resurfacing surgery, THR would eliminate my ability to play ice-hockey goalie again, and stem cell is far less effective in the hips than in the shoulder and knee.


I have scheduled my surgery with Dr Gross, in November 2016 and the second hip on January 2017. My goal is to be able to continue playing goal at my current level within 9 months of the second surgery.


Has Dr Gross done hip surgery on any ice hockey goalies? The old goalie post is 4 years old. Anyone that is an ice hockey goalie can you share any updates since your hip resurfacing surgery? It sounds like 9 months is reasonable from a physical standpoint, but the mental barrier may be greater? Any new feedback.

[Snowbound]

I'm 56 and play in a seniors pickup league. I can't speak for playing in net but I went back to playing forward 9 months after surgery. [/size]I had a January 2015 surgery doing both hips at the same time. You have to be patient on the recovery, but in the long term it's definitely worth it. I had given up playing the year before it had just got too painful, now I hardly think about my hips.


I was a bit slow and tentative at first but was skating well by the end of the season. I think if you take it easy the first season back you should be back better than ever in the second season.