Rollerblading

[mslendzion]

I'm around 11 weeks. Does anyone know if rollerblading would be OK at this point?  Are there any other fellow hippies who rollerblade?  If so, when did you start back after surgery?  Thank you.

[jjmclain]

If you are really good at it, and there is no chance that you would fall, then I am sure your surgeon would approve it. But that is something you should probably ask about, mainly due to the risk of a fall.

[B.I.L.L.]

Why risk a fall at less than 3 months ?  Patience grasshopper.... just my $.02 8)

[lori.36]

I think I rollar bladed at 4 months out, but I was a nervous reck the whole time.  I did not fall, but hung them up.  I just tried to rollar blade on my street this weekend and fell on my Arse and have two nice bruises.  I am notorious for falling on my butt and need to pratice on nice smooth places before I put them back on.
I agree that you should wait, concrete hurts when you fall!  Dont risk it yet, unless you skate like my husband.  That man put on his rollarblades and was skating in circles his first time, he has never fallen on his skates.  You know your body, so you are the best to answer this question.

[ctb]

ITA with BILL.  At the very least I'd run it by your doctor.

[mslendzion]

Thanks for the feedback. I see my surgeon in about 2 weeks for my 3 month follow up.  I'll update the post with his recommendation. In the mean time I'll stay on the safe side.  The warm weather is driving me to get out there.

[hipnhop]

I would wait a few months or wear hip pads and a pillow taped to my Arse.

[mslendzion]

I would wait a few months or wear hip pads and a pillow taped to my Arse.

Too funny!  Are there any other hippies out there rollerblading (waiting for a decent healing time to heal prior)?  We have 3 huskeys and it is a blast taking them for a run blading.

[Tin Soldier]

First of all, what nice weather are guys talking about?

I've rollerbalded with my dogs and I definitely recommend not doing that on a 4-month old hip.  I think the standard 6 to 12 month rule (no impact sports or possible hard fall) should apply here.  However, it sure sounds like a lot of fun.  I downhill skied at about 5 months and I got the squeak in the joint at the end of the day, temp loss of synovial fluid, freaked me. I also jumped off a few short cornices and generally thought I was 18 again.  Probably not the smartest thing to do with a young-ish hip. 

I'm hoping to get on the skates this summer for some street hockey, that will be about 10 months from the most recent hip.   

[tedroberts]

At my 2 month check up after having my hips resurfaced I asked my Dr. if I could bicycle or in-line skate.  He asked me which one are you least likely to fall on?  Even though I don't usually fall at either I decided to stick to golf and my life cycle until 6 months and not risk busting everything loose. 

[KirkM]

Just my $.02 -

I believe the bone is weakest at month 3.  I remember reading that the bone density slowly weakens between surgery and month 3 because of the disruption of normal bone processes and gets back to pre-surgery density around month 6 as the body has had 3 months to recover normal function and has had another 3 months time to rebuild bone density.  Month 3 is the tipping point where the bone is theoretically at its weakest point and the time when you REALLY should not take any risks.

Unfortunately, that is the point where you really start to feel like getting out and moving more aggressively.  It is a formula for disaster and takes a lot of discipline to avoid a tragic mishap.  NOT WORTH IT!

I do personally know someone who did a bit too much right at 3 months and had a mild fall that snapped the femoral head like a dry twig.  He now has a THR. 

I did tons of aggressive walking plus spinning on a lifecycle with light resistance at the gym, but was EXTREMELY careful up to the 6 month mark, especially around that 3 month mark.  I am now at my 10 month mark and do hard 60 mile rides, 10 mile walk / runs (average pace now at 9:50 miles, including the walking, run segments are at 8:30 so far). 

Although I am not back to my pre-surgery strength and speed, it feels better each workout and I am pushing more every week.  I have a half-ironman race at my one year anniversary this year and feel right now that it is all going to be fine, albeit not the speediest race of my life.

Bottom line is, BE PATIENT.  This is on one-shot deal.  I wanted to ride outside hard and run and do all kinds of things after the first few months, but I knew a little self-discipline would be the difference between realizing the goal of getting back to these things for life and blowing the whole reason I went for a resurfacing in the first place.

I think if you step back and examine the situation without the emotion and impatience, it won't be too hard to figure out what the smart thing is to do, in this situation and life in general.

All the best to you.

[hernanu]

Good to hear you're doing so well, Kirk - nice progress. And very good advice.

[KirkM]

Thanks hernanu, I can really relate to the impatience of mslendzion because it is still killing me that I can't go out and blast a clean, fast 10 mile run. 

It takes a lot of fight to stop and do my walking breaks in my run to keep things from getting set back.  I did do too much early in the running because I felt so good after a few sessions (at 7 months of rehab and no running) and my body was quite firm in its reprimand. 

Every week gets better IF, AND ONLY IF I push only a LITTLE more each time but NOT a lot.  Pushing a little makes progress, pushing a lot sets you way back.

When I get upset at my body for not responding the way I want, or the way it used to, I have to remember that my leg was ripped out of its socket, my knee was up around my ear while some guy is drilling and pounding on my very core.  I guess I should cut it some slack for a while longer...  ;)

[Anniee]

Kirk, you are funny!  And your advice is excellent.  It is very difficult to be patient when you're starting to feel good.  I had to do like you and remember not to push too hard for the first 6 months.  It would have helped to think about your description of the surgery!

[David]

Hey Kirk...good to see you posting.  You still doing Honu?  I did not sign up, realized it was unrealistic. 
Best...

[KirkM]

Hi David. 

Yes, it is the Honu race but I am resigned to going easy on the bike and even easier on the run.  It will be a jog / walk along the beautiful golf course after a leisurely bike ride. 

I have to be honest, I didn't think you attempting to do that in the timeframe from your surgery was the best idea. My doing it is pushing the limit a bit, but, as I mentioned, I won't be "racing", I will be "participating".

Sorry we won't be having a hippie hangout on the Big Island, but glad you won't be risking your hip.

We will hoist a few at Kona Brewing Co. after we do the event in 2013, OK?

[hernanu]

Hey, I have a friend who lives on the big island and I have a standing invite to drop in on her, so give enough warning and I may be there to cheer all of the hippy triathletes on.

Maybe Danny, Pete, etc. and I can provide some totally unnecessary hippy security and then down some brews  :o .

Really cool to see you guys / ladies getting there.

[KirkM]

Yeah, baby!  Come on down!  The race is June 2.  I will be there for a week before and a week after staying at my brother's winter house on 17 acres just above Hawi.  The race is based at the Mauna Lani Resort over at the Fairmont Orchid.

I will buy the beers after the race for any hippies that show up, whether participant or spectator.  I would say everyone has to prove it by showing their scar, but I really don't want to see that... well, maybe the females, but I digress...

I also have to apologize to mslendzion for hijacking this thread.  If you guys want to pursue this, we should start another thread.  We are way off topic here.

[mslendzion]

Kirk, no worries on the hijack, glad to see all the activity on my post.  Plus I really appreciate your comments on rollerblading.  Wish I could go to Hawaii and cash in on the free beer.  Best of luck on the race.  I'm really hoping you get some hippy takers on the free beer offer.  I'll drink (some) in your honor on June 2nd.  Make us proud!

[KirkM]

Hey, it is just a bit of tough love.  Trust me, I know exactly how frustrating it is to have to wait before getting back out there.  Today is my 10th month anniversary and even though I am back to training, I know I still can't do as much as I want as intensely as I want.  And if I ignore my common sense, I pay dearly for it.  The body will heal on its time schedule, period.  You either play to that reality or get punished.  And the ultimate punishment of a blown resurfacing is just not worth it.

Hang in there, be smart and patient, and hoist a few with us next year.