I didn't know how to start a new sports topic, so I'm just going to jump in here. I'm a 52-year-old male living in Pittsburgh, PA. I'm having RBHR surgery on July 1, 2008 by Dr. Ari Pressman at St. Clair Hospital. Before the pain and loss of flexibility caused by osteoarthritis stopped me, I was an avid rower here in Pittsburgh. I've won medals in national championships (US & Canada). My doctor, who is also a rower, told me I'll be able to row again. For this, and many other reasons, I'm really looking forward to this surgery and the return to flexibility.
I would be curious to hear from any other rowers who have had BHR or other hip surgeries. I will report back after surgery and during recovery.
- Tom in Pittsburgh
Hi Tom
Welcome to Hip Talk. I didn't think about a category for rowers, sorry.
I hope you will keep in touch after your surgery. I would be happy to post a story for you on the Athletes page in the regular website when you get back to rowing. It would be great to have some photos and videos of you back in action.
That's great Dr. Pressman is also a rower.
I live on the Ohio River in Marietta, OH and see the crew teams all the time. It is a great sport.
Good Luck and keep in touch.
Pat
Thanks Pat. I've rowed with several guys who rowed at Marietta College. I will keep you posted on my recovery.
- Tom
My surgery took place on Tuesday without a hitch. I was in a fair amount of pain initially, especially when moving to change dressings, etc. However, that diminished slowly but surely. I was in physical therapy the next day and could already notice an improvement in flexibility and lack of bone-on-bone grinding. It was a great feeling. They got me set up on crutches and I came home last night. The insurance company sprung for a hospital bed on our main floor, so I don't have to climb all the steps to our bedroom, although I'm feeling more and more like I could. The doctor has me on crutches for 3 weeks and restricted to 20 percent pressure. It's going to be hard to control myself from putting more weight on it.
Hi Tom
You are an official Surface Hippy now!
Each doctor has a different post op recovery protocol. You will want to be more active and walk around, but it is always best to listen to your own doctor.
Good Luck and keep in touch.
Pat
Tom,
Congrats on your surgery. While I don't row competitively, I have used it as a training tool on the concept II ergometer. I was a competitive duathlete and triathlete before being subjected to the major inconveniences of osteoarthritis. I was able to bike right up until surgery (June 26th). I have no doubt you'll be able to row again.
Keep us updated on your progress?
take care and don't rush the rehab,
spencer
Thanks Spencer. I know a lot of people are discovering the Concept II ergometer (we just call it the Erg) as a great cross-training tool. I see a lot of people in the gym using it wrong, which means they're in danger of injuries and not getting the most out of it.
How soon after surgery did you go into the pool? Did you have to cover/seal your incision?
Cheers - Tom
Tom,
The hip hab used tagaderm for my 2 pool therapy sessions but told me not to use my pool until the scab on the incision is totally scab free. I did the pool therapy sessions 4 and 5 days post op.
spencer
I've had both hips done with the Birmingham Hip. On both occasions I got into rowing on the erg within a few months of the op. I haven't had problems on either occasion. Seven months after my second hip I can now row 20 minutes hard and under 7m40s for 2000m. I'm in my mid 50s.
Sounds good. I'm going in tomorrow for my 4-month check. I've been on the erg (Concept II) since just past 6 weeks, working up slowly in distance and pressure. It's good for building strength and range of motion. I haven't done a full-out 2K yet but maybe soon. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, Tom
I never rowed on water but have a Concept II that I used religiously for about 12 years. I've always had some stiffness in both hips but it got to the point a few years ago where I couldn't grab the bar without taking my feet off the footrests. Then one day I felt a twinge in my left groin area on a stroke where I think I may have snapped back too far. Didn't hurt all that much at first but within a few days it was very painful. My internist diagnosed it as hip flexor tendonitis and prescribed PT. The PT always felt good when I was done but it never really helped in the long run. This eventually led me to see an orthopaedic surgeon who immediately recognized it as OA. That got me started on my journey to where I am now...medical clearances complete, waiting for scheduling for my LBHR to be followed by the other side.
Can't wait go get back on the erg. It's still in the garage.
My erg is still standing in the garage, where it's been for about 3 years since I was last able to use it. I worked out on that thing for 12 years until I couldn't do it amymore because of the OA.
I was out in the garage a few minutes ago and started looking at it. Sure would be nice to get some exercise. I was down to swimming (in warm weather) and walking a lot for the past couple of years, but I've done basically nothing for 2 1/2 months now except for some PT and walking, but not fast enough to make me breathe hard.
Maybe that's why I've been feeling so crappy the past week. Can't sleep well, tired all the time, head gets fuzzy. I just brought the trash cans up the driveway and was almost out of breath from that!! I really need to get some exercise. The pool isn't quite warm enough yet. Don't have a stationary bike and don't belong to a gym. I think the erg is looking back at me, saying "get me outta here!!"
I asked my PT yesterday if she thought it would be OK for me to row. She said she didn't think it was a good idea before all of my "hip restrictions" are lifted. The thing is, my flexion limit has been 120 degrees from the beginning and I don't think I'm going to get that far, even on the rowing machine, especially if I'm going slowly. I don't see how else it could hurt.
I think I need to do this...
I slowly started rowing on my C2 again in June after several years off because of back and hip problems. For several weeks now I've been doing two sessions a week and slowly building up my speed and pace. I find that both my strength and stamina are not close to what they once were, but they are coming back with each workout.
I did three sessions this week - Tuesday, Thursday and today (Friday) and decided to start keeping track of some benchmark times. Yesterday I did 7:54.5 for 2K, which is not particularly fast but my goal was to break 8:00. I did it but it was very exhausting.
Today I did my first 10K in probably 5 years. With no idea what I could do my goal was to do 44 minutes, a 2:12 pace. I was able to keep it under 2:11 most of the time and ended up at 43:34.0 (a 2:10.7 pace). I probably could have gone faster but not much. Plus I now have about three blisters to deal with. I think I'll swim laps tomorrow.
Hi Mike
Congrats on getting back in there and on breaking 8 mins for the 2km. That's about the same stage I'm at after having a break from it. The furthest I've ever done on it is 30 mins - the thought of 10km is tough. I did a 5km recently and that was hard enough.
I find the erg really works my heart and lungs. If I put a heart rate monitor on I get to my max quite easily.
Ed
You guys are amazing. Rowing is certainly a total body workout. This certainly works the new hips!
I may be inspired to add an exercise that won't pound my hips.
Dan
It's great to know that there are other hippies doing this. I think it's a great form of exercise for us because of the completely non-impact nature of the workout.
I've been concentrating lately on putting a lot of meters on the erg, as this is really my only exercise besides walking before work every morning, and I need to lose some weight (I'm about 5' 11" and weigh 235 lb). I'm not worried too much about going fast, though I expect the times to come down eventually. Today I did 14,000 meters (2K warmup, two 5K pieces and 2K to cool down) in about 1 hour total, and I've done about 62K in the past week. My 5K pieces are averaging around a 2:08 pace.
I've joined an online rowing "team", called Free Spirits Rowing through the Concept2 website. There are over 300 people on this team, some very active and some not so active. There are guys there rowing in the low 6 minute range for 2000 meters and 36 minutes for 10K, and there are also a lot that are more like me. They run a message board like this one where people discuss their goals and their progress, and they are all very supportive no matter what level you are at. I find this very inspiring as it helps me to continue my workouts without any real pressure to compete or anything. Before my hips and back got too painful I rowed on my C2 for 10+ years in my garage, basically in isolation because I didn't know anybody else who was doing it.
It's nice to be able to discuss and compare experiences and progress, just as we all do on this great website.
62km in a week! Wow! That's a huge total.
I usually just do two sessions which probably add up to 5km to 8km in total. I do my sessions in a gym. Sometimes I'll warm up on the treadmill. Other times I'll do a minute warm up on the rower, rest, and then blast away on it for a faster row. I like doing 10 minutes on the rower starting at an easier pace and then gradually getting faster. I tend to finish those sessions gasping away, making strange noises and unable to move!
As you say, it is impact free and is a total body workout. I also find it a good mental workout, both in handling the idea of the distance and then keeping going when you'd really rather stop. It makes you wonder why we do it. ::)
Ed
Hi Ed,
I do all sorts of things to keep from going nuts. Count strokes (my wife and kids wonder why I get so PO'd if they try to talk to me while I'm rowing), try to minimize strokes per 500 or 1000 meters, try to stay on a steady pace or alternate one minute hard rowing with one minute easy or 500 m hard with 500 m easy, start from 0 and watch the meters increase, set a distance and watch the meters count down, etc., etc.
Sometimes I dread getting started but I usually end up in sort of a trance after a while. Like you said, I think it's a good mental workout. I spend most of the day thinking about techincal matters and managing a group of engineers. I think the workout helps me to empty my brain.
Mike
Hi Mike
I like to break things down to percentages and then count them down. 1% done, 2%, etc. It takes a bit of mental calculations and passes time without realising how much you've still got to do. It is always great when you get 51% done. Downhill from there.
Ed
HA!!
I do that too, or often I use fractions. 1/10, 1/8, 1/5, 1/4...3/4, 7/8, 9/10, depending on what my total is divisible by. That originated from swimming laps in my (short) pool. 120 laps is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40 and 60. The time between 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 can seem like forever sometimes but it seems to accelerate when you get to 9/10 and higher.
Sometimes I worry about me...
Another HA!!
I also throw in the fractions, along with the percentages. Anything to break down the time done and the time to do. The joys of Concept 2 rowing...... :D
I used to do the same sort of things in my running days. It helps pass the time...
I've given up worrying about me when it comes to things like this. ::)
Ed
How soon after your resurfacing were you cleared to start rowing on the Concept2 Rower? I usually row a lot more in the winter- typically 100K meters per month, and then drop off a lot in the summer when it is nice enough to swim in the lake and ride the bike!
Steve (scheduled for resurface with Dr. Gross on 10/24/11)
sdunn4,
Sorry I didn't see your question before!! My doctor told me it was OK to start after a six weeks, I think, though I didn't really get started again for a couple of months. He doesn't impose a 90 degree flexion restriction like some do so it's mainly a matter of having the strength to do it. He likes to get everybody on a stationary bike immediately if they have access, but with the operated leg just along for the ride, to build ROM. My therapist didn't like the idea of me getting on the erg for a couple of months, though. I started out at about 12 weeks, once or twice a week for only 5 or 10 minutes with the damper set at 1. In a few weeks I was doing 20 to 30 minutes at a time. I've built up my workouts until now I'm on the erg 4 or 5 times a week doing 12K-15K every workout.
Yesterday I beat my previous 2K time by 14.6 seconds. I had set 7:40 as a target and was able to do 7:39.9. I still have a long way to go but the times are getting more respectable. I think right now my improvement is about equal parts getting stronger and having a feel for what my limits are.
My next goal is a 20 minute 5K.
I'm in a team competition on the Concept 2 website to row as many meters as possible between September 15 and October 15. My goal is 200K, and I'm now at 79K. I've done about 164K since the beginning of September. I'm afraid I've become somewhat of a fanatic.
Mike,
Sounds like you are really going for it! My best month ever was a little over 300K during one of the "Holiday Challenges"- Thanksgiving to Christmas. That's a great way to control your weight during the holidays. I don't have times as fast as yours; although I have done a 10K in around 42 minutes. I like to set the damper at 5 or 6 and really get some resistance. I'll ask Dr. Gross how he feels about rowing following the 6-week restricted period! Thanks for the feedback.
Steve
Steve,
I just did my fastest 10K this evening at 42:34.3. I think it's only the third or fourth time I've done the entire 10K without any rest. The thought of finding my fastest possible pace for such a long distance is pretty daunting at this point. I have my damper set at 7 right now.
I bought a small TV last weekend, which I set up in my garage next to the C2. It really helps...I was watching Oklahoma play Missouri and the 10K went by pretty quickly. I finished the entire thing during the first quarter.
I'm pretty sure that Dr. Gross has a 90 degree flexion restriction for 6 weeks or so, so you probably won't be able to row before that. After 6 weeks I imagine you'll be OK. Just take it easy at first.
Mike
Hey Steve, did you ever ask Dr. Gross about getting back on your rower? It looks like you're about 4 weeks out now and probably chomping a the bit.
I'm up to about 675,000 meters since the end of July, averaging about 50K per week. I've slowed down a bit since the end of the "fall challenge" but still doing 4 to 5 sessions a week. I had to take about a week off when my PM2 (the monitor) bit the big one after about 14 years and I had to order a new PM3.
I had set a goal of 1 million meters by the new year but would now have to keep up a 55K/week average. I may have to wait until mid January for my million meter party.
Mike,
You read my mind!! I am at 4 weeks as of yesterday and I am ready for a good cardio workout; the walking is great but doesn't satisfy. I was just looking at the rower and my Tri bike on the trainer today- neither of those are endorsed by Dr. Gross prior to 6 weeks. I am under a 20-minute pace for the mile walks I m doing, and not using a cane or limping at all. I didn't ask Dr. Gross (forgot!) about how soon I can row following the 6-week restriction. I plan to ask via e-mail in the next 2 weeks, though. How long did you wait after your surgery to start back rowing? It looks like you're putting in some serious meters!
Steve
Mike,
I'm also on the "Free Spirits" team. Yesterday I started my first C2 Holiday Challenge since my surgeries.
JW
John,
I'm jealous! I have put on a few pounds since the surgery- appetite is still pretty good but walking alone does not control my weight! I always enjoyed the Holiday Challenge to keep sane during the holidays and to control my weight during the "big eating" period of the year. Good luck in reaching the 200K goal! By the way, why did you have to get a revision to the THR so soon after the BHR was performed?
Steve
Steve,
200K is a dream, the 100K is a more realistic goal for this year. I don't enjoy rowing as much as I used to perhaps because I just don't do as much anymore.
As far as my revision, it's pretty much covered in this and other threads;
http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=960.msg12005#msg12005
JW
Another milestone! I used my Concept 2 Rower this morning for 25 minutes, and it felt great. This is the first time I've used it since just before my surgery on October 24th. I am at 6 weeks and 2 days out from surgery, and I was careful not to go too much past 90 degrees when rowing. It was nice to have both legs in tight; no splaying out to the side with my right (operated) leg like before. I only managed about 4700 meters (quite slow), but it felt great!
I am also working on the Fluid Trainer with my bike; that too feels awesome!
Steve
Hello Steve!
I've been following this thread/topic with interest as I have a Concept 2 in the garage as well. My procedure was six days prior to yours, so we're sort of in the same "boat" (no pun intended!). I dusted the machine off and assembled the halves a few days ago, but felt consistent clunkiness in my operated hip as I tried some strokes. Did you experience anything along those lines? I was being very conservative...
Thanks, Bruce
Hey John,
It's great to see a Free Spirits teammate here. How long have you been a FS? I just discovered it in August after I started rowing again. I find that all the C2 challenges and the FS meterboard really help me to keep motivated. I have slacked off somewhat, though, since the Fall challenge. My erg is in the garage and, even here in SoCal, it's getting kind of cold at night.
Steve and Bruce, just take it really slowly at first. I didn't even get on the rower until about 12 weeks, though I probably waited longer than I needed to. I started out at bout 5 minutes the first couple of times at a very slow pace (maybe 2:20?) just to get the feel of it and increase my ROM. You'll find that you get more comfortable and are able to build up speed and distance pretty quickly.
I'm still not very fast (by some peoples' standards anyway) but I'm putting in 10K to 15K workouts 3 or 4 times a week. It's the only exercise I get besides walking a mile and a half before work.
Otter- I did not feel any clunkiness or anything- all moving parts actually felt great (I was surprised!). I had to force myself not to extend as I let the handle in; I really felt I could have extended more. Are you trying to extend too far? I am trying to alternate workouts on my bike trainer with the rower and long days at work (not a physically demanding job, but lots of walking and lots and lots of stairs; working in a production capacity in a Paper Mill).
Mike- Thanks for the advice! I am constantly having to make myself hold back. I think 2:20 is a good pace; you're not slow at all! I know the competitions have people way, way faster than me. I have gotten over worrying about what others do and try to compete with myself only (except for the perpetual competitions with my older brother!). For my first row yesterday I was really slow, and 25 minutes felt good. However, when I laid down to bed after a 12-hour work day last night I knew I probably overdid it!
Thanks for the support,
Steve
I will be at 7 weeks tomorrow, and I got 3 short rows on the C2 Rower in this week, a little faster pace each time. No records! Today I was able to easily row 4972 meters in 25:00, not quite a 2:30 pace. I realize this is super slow, but I don't care!! Being 52 years old and having a new hip frees the soul!! It just feels great to do things with no pain; ROM gets a little better each day. I plan to take it easy for another month anyway, and of course, no impact activities for the next 4 months or so.
Life is good!
Steve
Steve,
I've got three years on you and hope to be able to row a little without the "slop" or clunk or whatever it is soon. Walking is going well! A little too icy for the bicycle at this point, but we'll be gaining sunlight after the 21st of the month!
Keep up the good progress!
Mike,
Thanks for the advice as well!
Bruce
Hi Steve and all on this thread, seems like us cyclists and rowers can't wait to get going again, so I'd like to add my experiences on both a spin cycle and rower as it may help.
I'm 55 and pre-op trained 4-5 times a week, spin row and weights.
I'm now 14 months out and was very lucky that I could spin/row up until the day before my op. My aim post op as most of you seem to want to was to get going again as soon as possible but without causing any damage to the new hip.
So got back on a spin bike after 22 days and on the rower a few days after, but on both took it very very slowly, on the spin bike no gears or holding the bars at first just letting the legs spin and gradually stretching more at each session. On the rower for the first few didn't even use the handle, just let the legs move gently until I felt comfortable to extend and use the handle. I have to say though from my experience whatever you do like this will help your recovery immensely however fast or slow you do it. It worked so well for me I told my physio to get some spin bikes and rowers !!
Regards
Paul
The first thing the PT on outpatient therapy did was to put me on a spin bike (no resistance) for ten minutes. The hardest part of it was sitting on the seat (uncomfortable at first). Eventually, after the first procedure, the only hard part was my unoperated leg, which complained loudly and often because the other was flying.
Thanks for the great input!
Just had a thought- if you are limited to not lifting more than 50 pounds, for example, does the rower exert enough force during the leg extension to equal 50 pounds? I am only "going easy", but the tendency is to "ramp it up", and everything feels good. Any thoughts out there?
Steve
Quote from: sdunn4 on December 13, 2011, 12:39:09 PM
Thanks for the great input!
Just had a thought- if you are limited to not lifting more than 50 pounds, for example, does the rower exert enough force during the leg extension to equal 50 pounds? I am only "going easy", but the tendency is to "ramp it up", and everything feels good. Any thoughts out there?
Steve
Good question. I suppose it depends on the damper setting and how hard you're pushing off on the extension. But to actually make it equivalent to lifting 50 lb (evenly distributed on both legs) the force on each leg would have to equal half your body weight plus 25 lb. Also, the act of "lifting" 50 lb would imply an even greater force than merely holding 50 lb in a stationary position. Too complicated for me.
Well, I did finally get around to asking Dr. Gross's assistant, Lee Webb, about rowing. She explained that due to the repetitive stressing of the femoral neck when extending the legs, and the chance you'll have bending in excess of 120 degrees for many cycles, she and Dr. Gross do not recommend rowing until 6 months.
Bummer! I will continue to use the fluid trainer for my bike and I have dusted off my old Nordic Track XC ski exerciser, both which have been endorsed for use by Dr. Gross. Come on, 6 months!
I'm glad I asked the doctor- in all seriousness it is not worth having a problem after coming this far, however slim the chances are!
Steve
Steve -
Definitely not worth the risk...always heed your Doctor's instructions. At least you have some alternatives. My only exercise before getting back on the C2 was walking and doing the stuff my PT gave me. My therapist wasn't too keen on me getting on the erg at all until I had explicit permission from the Doc, which I got at four months and even then I was doing almost no resistance for about four more weeks.
Don't worry about it...the time will fly by with all the other stuff you have to think about.
I'm now at 10 months (plus 2 days) on one hip and 9 months on the other. I was able to do 13K last night at an average of about 2:05 (not all at once ;) ). Improvement comes slowly but surely if you keep at it.
13K! How on earth does your rear end cope with that? My bottom gets numb affter about 15 minutes.
I had a break from rowing recently and have just started getting back into it over the last couple of weeks. I managed 8.01.4 for the 2000m yesterday. You soon remember why you love/hate the erg. ;D
Ed
ps Mike. I see your surgeon has an appropriate name for a hip surgeon.
I have the same problem, Ed. My right leg starts going numb, from the butt down, if I stay on that seat too long. I have to break up my workouts into shorter pieces. A typical routine is something like this:
2K warmup at an easy pace, followed by a few minutes of stretching - hamstrings, quads, calfs and triceps.
5k or 6K, two times. I get up and walk around for a couple of minutes between the sets to keep my butt from getting too sore. The last 1000 meters of the 6K is pretty hard. Sometimes if I feel like I'm starting to go numb I'll bend forward a couple of times with my knees straight, like a hamstring stretch, and it seems to help.
Last, a final 1000 meters, usually the first 500 is all out and then 500 really easy.
My longest workout is 15K, the 2+6+6+1. Sometimes I'll just do one of the 6Ks or one of the 5Ks or shorten one to 3K depending on how I feel.
That 2K time is really good. I've gone slightly under 8:00 for a 2K. There are people out there my age doing sub 7 2Ks...something I never expect to approach. My next goal is a 20 minute 5K but the thought of a timed 5K is pretty daunting. Yes, it's definitely a love/hate thing. I never want to start but I always feel great when I finish.
A friend of mine, back in the 80s, had an orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Bonebrake. Seriously.
Hi Mike
I like your idea of linking a series of long reps into one session. I might have a go at something similar when I've built back up. When I do my 2k blasts I do 1 minute fast (about 1.54 pace) couple of minutes rest - then the 2k. I finish with a final 1 min blast as fast as I can manage - that varies between 1.49 pace and 1.52 depending on how tired I am.
In February this year when I was doing two sessions a week I managed 20.05.5 for the 5000m. It will take me a while to get back to that. I think my fastest ever 2k was 7.28 about 10 years ago. I'll be happy to get back to 7.55.
I think the accuracy of working against the onboard computer on the erg helps a lot. Seconds matter. From your signature block I think I'm a couple of years older than you as I was 58 in September - not much age difference though.
I like your Dr Bonebrake - very apt.
Ed
You guys are pretty serious rowers! I look forward to getting back on the erg this spring. In the meantime I will find alternate methods to keep in some kind of aerobic shape. You are making me jealous!
Steve
Hi Steve
I hope your recovery is going well and continues to progress. As I'm sure you've been advised, don't rush things. The erg will still be there, lurking silently, when you and your hip are really ready to begin again.
Best wishes to you, and all rowers (and all hippies), for Christmas and the New Year.
Ed
Rowed 12K today and passed 1,000,000 meters since getting back on the erg in July. I wanted to get the million by New Years but that was overly ambitious, and I slacked off a lot in Dec and Jan. Getting back into it now, though.
I did A 2k warmup and then managed a 20:15.0 5K, which is my fastest in many years.
Mike,
Great job! That is some fast rowing and a great milestone to achieve. I hit 15 weeks tomorrow Post-op, and still have a while to go until I can use my rower- I'm waiting until the 6-month mark as per doctor's orders. In the meantime I am alternating the bike fluid trainer (indoors) with my old Nordic Track ski exerciser, and walking / hiking on the weekends. I do miss the overall workout from the C2 Rower!
Keep up the great work!
Steve
Congrats Mike... You just rowed from Boston to Columbia, SC (rounded down a bit). Could say hello to Dr. Gross ;D.
(I know you're in CA, but I decided to run with this anyways.. )
LOL...when you look at it that way I could have rowed from here to Sonoma and stopped for a nice cabernet or pinot noir.
8)