January 2, 2026

On March 18, 2025, age 57, I had bilateral ceramic on ceramic hip resurfacing with Drs. De Smet and Van Quickenborne in Ghent Belgium.

I benefited from this group, and I study medical decision making. Therefore in hopes of paying it forward, I have been documenting my experience as a case study in some detail!

To summarize: since 2018 my hip pain increased and mobility decreased due to severe cartilage loss. After doing extensive research (I’m a professional researcher), I concluded that hip resurfacing at my age and with my goals was a better option than hip replacement. I estimated that ceramic on ceramic was a good bet. My mother had metal on metal with Dr. De Smet around 2010, and at 89 today she is as mobile as her grandchildren. My understanding is that ceramic on ceramic resurfacing combines ceramic *materials* proven over years in hip replacements with *devices* proven over years of metal-on-metal resurfacings. So it seems like a good bet, although nothing is for sure.

Prehab: Before the surgery, for a year I did the Built From Broken beginner weight training and mobility program and Mark Lauren bodyweight mobility training. Anca clinicians say that randomized controlled trials show no effect of prehab on recovery – but as a researcher, I can tell you that these reports represent results averaged over a wide range of participants. My belief is that prehab exercises won’t hurt and can only help.

Anyway, I was happy to see Dr. De Smet was offering ceramic on ceramic and we proceeded. The surgery went great. From day 2, I felt the hips were bombproof. I had a fair amount of fever and discomfort in the first 3 months due to prostate infection probably associated with one-time post-surgery catheter to drain the bladder (urinary retention, too much morphine perhaps); and later more fever due to problems absorbing my sutures. My feeling is that perhaps the bilateral surgery was a bit heavy for me – however, Dr. De Smet says that ultimate recovery is better from a gait point of view. And throughout all those problems the hips felt great.

I walked from day 3 to day 8 with crutches, and after day 8 without crutches around the hotel and apartment I was staying in. I did the simple bodyweight mobility exercises prescribed by Dr. De Smet’s team every day, and progressed them over time, for several months. After two weeks, I walked without crutches for exercise, and did that daily for 3 months. At 3 months, I resumed biking, swimming, bodyweight exercises (pushups, pullups) and since the 4 month mark, weight training using Built From Broken and Mark Lauren programs.

Starting at the 4 month mark, I ran 2 miles two times per month just to see if I could and to time my pace. Started at a 12 minute mile pace, jogging. By late November (6th month) could run 2 miles in 16 minutes (8 minute mile pace).

In ninth month (December), attempted to sprint progressively so that I could resume soccer. Successively strained my left quad, right quad, and right calf (all minor strains). So now will rest and re-attempt sprinting later in January. I know I can get there, it will just take a bit more time. Once I can play soccer, my plan is to play in a small 7 on 7 game once a week, and let that be my only high impact sport for a while. I will continue low impact swimming and cycling and walking for overall health, plus weight and mobility training.

I had recorded two “baseline” videos: one the day before surgery (March 17) and one 19 days after surgery (April 6). Today I filmed an update showing the same movements as in the baseline videos. Happily, I have vastly improved range of motion and no pain whatsoever. I am on my way to restoring athletic function that I haven’t had for 10 years. (I will try to re-post the baseline videos in the comments, it’s not working for me to attach them all to this post)

So far, hip resurfacing is a success story for me. As with many medical situations, the success factors include the skill and experience of the care team; and my daily efforts for prehab and then rehab. It has taken a lot of work, but for me, athletic mobility is worth it!