Can I join a marathon after hip resurfacing surgery?

[JonathanCole]

My friend used to be a track and field athlete. He has undergone hip resurfacing surgery. It has been 6 months. He has recovered very quickly and has returned to normal activities. Soon there is a marathon for public health. I wonder if he can join with that condition? Does he have to restrict anything?

[blinky]

Maybe. How is that for an answer?

Did he run marathons preop? Did he run any long distances? How much is he running now?

Honestly, I think to go from resurf to marathon in a year would be pretty aggressive. To a 10K? Probably fine. To a half? Maybe if he is young and was in good shape pre op. A marathon? I worry he would be pushing it too much, particularly if he lost fitness during the time period when his arthritis was bad.

FWIW, I was 53 when I got two new hips. I had been running 4-5 marathons a year until age fifty, then was laid low by arthritis. I built back to a 10K by my new hip anniversary and that felt about right. Your friend's experience may be different, but I'd say 5k-21K is probably a good range for year one.

For the second year? He can go for it!