Recovery time - do you really have to wait a year before playing Tennis?

[Hipchallengedone]

I have decided to do resurfacing because I fit the profile.  I visited a Dr who has done 1,000's of these resurfacing surgery's,  but he only does cemented resurfacing and I was told I could not play tennis for about a year.  That is a very hard pill to swallow for me.  So, I am wondering for those who have had the resurfacing, how long did the Doctor tell you recovery should take for unrestricted activities like tennis or sports which require jumping and significant lateral movement?  Also, looking to get thoughts on uncemented resurfacing versus cemented.  My thanks in advance for all responses.

[AG]

I’m 47 and had my HR done by Dr. Gross who I highly recommend.  He does cement less resurfacing.  He recommends waiting 6 months to get back to normal strenuous activities.  I don’t know if pickleball is considered strenuous activity but I started playing around 3 months and moving really well so much better than before my surgery.  I feel so good that I think I could play tennis if I wanted to but I’m waiting til 6 months for tennis.  I wish you the best in your HR journey. 

[Hipchallengedone]

Greetings AG, thanks so much for the response! Just wondering if you did a AM or PM surgery and how long did it take in the OR?

[AG]

I’m not really sure because they were running behind.  But I think the operation took about 1.5 hours.  I was in post op for a while because my blood pressure was low and I couldn’t void. 

[AG]

I’m not really sure because they were running behind.  But I think the operation took about 1.5 hours.  I was in post op for a while because my blood pressure was low and I couldn’t void. 

[AG]

Pm surgery

[Hipchallengedone]

My thanks again AG for your responses!

[stevel]

I was allowed to downhill ski at 3 months post-op but to avoid bumps, jumps and backcountry until 6 months!

[Hipchallengedone]

Thanks Stevel for your reply!  Could you please share which Dr and where you had the resurfacing done? Did the Dr use glue?  Also, How long the surgery was and if it was outpatient surgery.  Many Thanks again!

[PalmettoGolfer]

I was swinging golf clubs at 6 weeks.  Gingerly, but I was swinging   :).  Approaching 10 months post op and I'm back to doing everything I was before the hip gave out.  All out boxing/kick boxing and golf.

Dr Gross in Columbia SC  (GO COCKS!!) non cemented resurfacing.  Surgery was a little longer for me, like a bit over 2 hours.  I'm a bigger guy around the waist and I have shallow hips.  Kinda like hip dysplasia in dogs, actually just like hip dysplasia.

I was walking, with assistance of course, the day of surgery. I was in recovery a little longer as well.  I couldn't pee so they cath'd me (ugh).

Would do it again in a flash if I had to.  Pre surgery life kind of sucked.  I was 53 and couldn't walk a city block without having to stop to rest because of the pain.  I walked 18 holes of golf this morning 6+ miles and it was great!

[Hipchallengedone]

PalmettoGolfer - thanks so much for the reply!, hopefully you could answer a few more questions.  How long did Dr Gross say it would take for you to doing full time activity? Did they give you a spinal or did they put you under?  Was it a uncemented surgery?  Did he have to cut the gluts?   Many thanks again for your input!

[PalmettoGolfer]

PalmettoGolfer - thanks so much for the reply!, hopefully you could answer a few more questions.  How long did Dr Gross say it would take for you to doing full time activity? Did they give you a spinal or did they put you under?  Was it a uncemented surgery?  Did he have to cut the gluts?   Many thanks again for your input!

After 6 weeks the restrictions loosened a bit, but it was the standard 6 months (fast track recovery regime) for anything physical.  I was OUT OUT and after researching what they did, I'm glad I was.  :)  Uncemented.  I'm actually not sure about the gluts.  I do know I was doing the glut squeeze exercise immediately when I got home.  I don't know if that means they did cut them or didn't.  Sorry about that.

[Hipchallengedone]

PalmettoGolfer - many many thanks!  So glad the resurfacing did what it was supposed to do for you.  If you can think of anything else, if you could share that would be fantastic.

[stevel]

Dr Su did the inpatient surgery in a couple hours at the Hospital for Special Surgery, HSS in NYC, installing a cemented RBHR.  He also installs uncemented biomet, if desired and does outpatient surgery, if eligible.

[PalmettoGolfer]

PalmettoGolfer - many many thanks!  So glad the resurfacing did what it was supposed to do for you.  If you can think of anything else, if you could share that would be fantastic.

Will do!

Good luck with your journey!

[imgetinold]

Many have mentioned Dr. Gross and his recovery protocol.  It is 6 months before any impact activity.  That is a small pill to swallow to get a pain-free life back.

One other thing:  When you start back, you will NOT be on your A-game.  I got back to tennis at six months, but it took another six months to get my quickness back.


Good luck.

[Hipchallengedone]

Thank you imgetinold, the shape I am in now, I simple cannot move.  The pain is too great.  Six months if that is the standard with the BIOMET device, is okay.  Tell me, after surgery, how long was it until you got back on a tennis court and maybe just lightly hit some tennis balls?  Just wondering.

[imgetinold]

Sorry I'm just now replying.  I was basically back on the court at exactly six months.  I probably could have gone out at 4 months to just swing the racquet, but I knew that if the ball did not come back perfectly that I would run after it.  So, I stayed away entirely to be a good patient.


But when I went back, I was on an ALTA team and started playing in matches right away.  I was slower and out of practice, but still able to play.  That's the deal with Dr. Gross patients.......NO impact for six months, then do whatever you want/can do.


It took another six months (at the 1 year mark) before I re-gained my quickness and speed.

[Hipchallengedone]

Thanks imgettingold.  So I had bilateral surgery two weeks ago with Dr Gross.  BEST DECISION I could ever make as far as I am concerned.  Today I walked a 1/2 mile without a cane, no pain anywhere.  I am going to stay within Dr Gross's protocol guidelines of 6 months, no need to rush things.  Healing is the most important thing now and after 7500 of these types of surgeries, I am happy to follow his advise.  Now there are some things one can do to keep the muscle memory of tennis without all the jumping and moving around.  I may start that, but I would explain what I would be doing to Dr Gross and hopefully get his blessing, but if he says no, then 6 months it is.  I will see him in 5 weeks and then will discuss.  I will be happy to just get on an elliptical or stationary bike to get a good calorie burn in or cardio workout.  Hopefully after week 6 he'll clear me.  Anyway, I am just looking forward to moving on the tennis court when I am all healed up.