After 20 years of competitive powerlifting, 17 of which were spent at Westside Barbell, I found myself in need of total hip replacement. Both hips were shot. I discussed all options with my doctor, Dr. Thomas Ellis M.D. of Orthopedic One, and total replacement was my only option.
On August 4, 2015, I underwent double anterior total hip replacement. To say the least, I was scared to death. I did not know what life was to be like after surgery. Was I going to be able to live a normal life after the surgery? Was I going to be able to return to lifting? As the surgery date approached, I spoke with Dave Tate and Steve Goggins as to what I should expect. They helped me mentally get through this time and assured me I would be fine after surgery. After the surgery, I was amazed at how much better I felt.
Quickly I started remembering what Louie used to say: the true test of a lifter is how they handle injury. Do they quit once they suffer injuries or do they dig in and fight to return? My first goal was to heal up from surgery. I needed to give the bones time to heal with the new joints. I waited until eight weeks post-operation to return to the gym. Up to that time I worked on stretching, flexibility, and range of motion.
RECENT: Training at Westside: Priorities and Lifestyle
At about two weeks post-op I was able to sit well below parallel. I would sit on the chair and use the door knob to assist me standing up until I was strong enough to stand from the below parallel position on my own. I would do as many reps as I could throughout the day to build up my endurance.
Finally at eight weeks I began to head back into the gym. The first few weeks I did high box squats to start to get the feel again. My biggest issue was that the new hips had me very tight, which caused my knees to turn in. I focused on being able to push my knees out and relearned how to contract and squeeze my glutes.
Locking out a deadlift in the beginning weeks was a bitch. The more I trained, the more I regained feeling and was able to squeeze. As this all happened I concentrated on working on form, but I will admit I wanted weigh on my back to prove to myself that I was no bitch and that this shit wasn’t going to limit me. I worked on adductor and abductor work, single leg glute bridges, and isometric glute contractions for five-second holds. I also did good mornings with the jump stretch bands for resistance using high reps each day.
Each week I worked on volume occasionally working up to see how I was doing and how I would feel after. I tried everything to see what my limitations were. Glute ham raises were a no-go for quite a while but now I am back to full ability.
My limitations: jumping is a definite NO! I, like a dumbass, have tried and paid dearly for it. I am able to do jump rope for cardio without much issue. Squatting is a little different for me now. I used to be a wide-stance squatter. Since the surgery, I just do not have the ability to get my feet out very wide. My foot position is just slightly wider than shoulder width.
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Progress: At 18 weeks post-op I squatted 600 with a straight bar to a parallel box and followed it up by pulling 600 from the floor. No supportive gear was used; I only wore a pair of gym shorts. Now at 26 weeks post-op, I trained with my group who were doing circa max in prep for the Arnold Classic. We did 335, 345, 355, 365, and 375 for sets of 2 reps with 300 pounds of band tension followed by glute ham raises with toes elevated 45 degrees above the knee for 3 sets of 10.
Each week gets a little easier. My biggest focus is pushing out on my knees. The question has been asked, will I ever compete again? No, I won’t. To me, if I can’t go after a PR then it is pointless. So I look to find other ways to set records. I know the hips can never support an attempt at 1160 so I am happy just taking it day-by-day and seeing where it leads me. My primary focus now is to coach young and upcoming lifters like Joe Schillero, Mario D'Amico, and Brian Doberdruk.
There are no data on it, at least that I'm aware of, I worry that the heavier loads could result in accelerated wear of the liner. Obviously you're not going to stop lifting, so just be sure to follow up with routine xrays and check ups with the orthopod. I'm a physician (radiologist) and have seen some pretty nasty cases of the liner essentially wearing away into nothing and basically have a metal chunks/powder in the area of the joint and even erode upward. That is a little melodramatic sounding and you probably have better bone than those people,
For the people reading that are about to get a hip replacement, despite most recent data saying there is no difference in outcomes and adverse events between anterior and posterior approach, I guarantee most of those people aren't squatting with anything more than bodyweight, so going with the anterior approach is probably the safer bet. I've seen a fair number of posterior dislocations (most common after posterior approach) if the surgeon didn't close up the fascia super tight or the person didn't heal properly..and it almost always happens when the poor individual is sitting down or getting up from the toilet.
Anyway, congrats and keep up the hard work. I'm sure it is a world of difference when you don't have bone on bone hip joints!
I do think it's very important to avoid dislocation . The movement that will dislocated an anteroir approached THR is different than the classic posterolateral, or straight lateral. So if you have or are going to have a hip replaced learn what you should avoid, not what someone else had. Nothing ruins a new hip like multiple dislocations or infection.
Back lifting, but same decision as Matt, no more competing in PL, bench only nowadays.
The statistics looks promising, if an experienced surgeon done the work.
http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/96-B/10/1298.short?rss=1
Matt, you probably don't remember me but we met a few times when I stayed and trained with Eskil for three weeks around Arnold Classics 2004.
BR
Lars
Great to see your success Matt.
Although not a PL, I was lifting regularly and heavy before and after my first surgery and was having a hard time remembering how reengaged in the gym after my first. Your post above gave me some ideas and encouragement. Hope you are still on the up and up a year out.
Thanks for the comments and glad to see there can be life after THR, including weightlifting.
I'm contemplating THR in hopes of an answer to 7 years of persistent pain. My symptoms don't exactly match the classic presentation, so doctors have urged the conservative measures, which have resulted in several years of starting over, over and over again.
I have the kinds of pain that indicate THR may be appropriate, but since plain film x-rays still show joint space, the docs conclude it's not likely to help.
So, I'm curious if any of you have had luck with getting guidance for non-classical presentations, and especially curious where you find surgeons willing to do bilateral procedures.
thanks in advance,
D
And feel so much better. Anyone needing this surgery don't delay
It is not so bad, yes you have a little down time but the pain is gone
And you will Love living again.
Does anyone have any tips on how to work on loosening up that hip capsule? Also- do you agree that burpees, box jumps, jump roping should no longer be part of a THR person's routine?
Has anyone had a hip replacement and competed after it?
Any help and feedback is very welcomed.
Rob King
My hip is a Stryker X3, with a porcelain ball and polyethylene cup.
I am an orthopaedic resident currently doing a scientific survey on strength athletes after joint replacement, so I would be very thankful if anyone with a joint replacement (Hip/knee/shoulder) takes just a few minutes for a good cause to help me!
I want to improve treatment of strength athletes, esp. joint longevity after replacement.
Thanks everyone for helping/reading ! No spam/personal data collection!
Survey : https://powerliftingstudy.wordpress.com/
I decided, after the second replacement, that it was time to take back my life. I was almost 300 lbs. and didn't want to be fat anymore. So, I switched to eating healthy proteins, omitting processed foods and getting plenty of exercise.
A year later I am happy, healthy and am power lifting again, as I did in my late teens and early twenties. (I am 58 now) I had questioned my caregivers at John Hopkins about my decision to power lift and how much weight I would be able to lift. No one could really give a definitive answer to my question.
My biggest concern has always been how far I am able to push myself without causing harm or damage to my hips. I have bad knees so this limits my choice of exercise routines, but I can do leg presses and am up to 240 lbs., so far, with no effects.
Always looking for more information regarding this topic.
If anyone has a few minutes to spare - we try to evaluate powerlfiting performance after joint replacement for a scientific study (I'm a powerlifter and orthopaedic surgeon). Our aim is to achieve understanding of problems and durability of joint replacements in strength athletes.
I would be very thankful if you help a fellow powerlifter and surgeon:
https://powerliftingstudy.wordpress.com/
Feel free to ask any questions (email on homepage) !
I am 6’ 5” and weigh 210 to 220 lbs. Main physical activities include horseback riding and the gym 3 days per week. Up until 2009 I was in training as a black belt in Taekwondo. My first THR was in 2009 and a second hip in 2012 (which I understand is not uncommon). There was no identified underlying cause (idiopathic).
I am turning 70 and continue to ride and go to the gym for weight workouts. Martial arts were left to the younger set. I have tried to limit hip weight bearing stress to limit wear but find that to maintain ROM and strength I need to do something. I think squats limited to less than 90 is a safe bet with low weight, good form and higher reps is a winner.
In general early consults had varying views (“Oh god! Don’t ride or ….”). My surgeon of choice had some advice I could live with. In general, If you did it before you can continue with care. Even ski if you used to but if not - don’t start now. Ride but falls could be a risk. Limit high impact competitive level sports with high velocity vector (direction) changes like tennis and basketball for instance.
In summary I guess you should live the way that gives you joy with an understanding that you are assuming the risks associated with your chosen activities.
It was so uplifting to read your comments.
I broke my hip just over 5 weeks ago and had a THR
I have just had a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon (not the one
who performed the operation ) and he threw his hands in the air when
I asked when I could go back to my boxing gym.
When I had the operation I was pretty much told that the objective was to get
me“ back walking” and not even to consider exercise/ gym etc.
Prior to my accident I was training (mainly with weights ) 3 times a week
and going to a boxing club for for high intensity circuit training and sparing.
I know it’s very early days but I have been doing light weight training
in the gym working closely with a physio and PT
My aim is to get back to where I was before .
I find it very unhelpful to just be told what I CAN’T do .
I’ve never been a skier or a horse rider so I wouldn’t expect to start now.
I have however, been doing my exercise regime for as long as I can remember .
I hope I am sensible enough to work out with my PT, the best exercise to get
me back to my former fitness levels and I totally agree with you that the quality
of your life is paramount.
Thanks for your positive post!
This is great information! Thank you for sharing! I'm just getting into weightlifting at 54. I was worried about squats in particular and your post is... well, it's a huge relief to me.
Thank you!
Trained all my life - various sports - rowing & cycling when younger as well as some soccer; mostly body building as I got older (for about 30 years).My hip replacement was not the total ball/rod approach but rather the milling of the top of the femur bone (pelvic bone was prepped the same : cup and liner installed); this “Birmingham” style - if possible I definitely would recommend it; or at least find a surgeon who does that and ask about it.
It means not chopping the femur head thus far less bone mass is removed and you get to keep more of Yao it own bone; also that helps for later /repeat surgery on if need be two decades down the line. Currently I am back in the gym and doing normal bodybuilder (not PL) type squats using 275 for reps, no issues. Additional advice is to take it slow with the recovery and physical therapy; few months later you’ll almost forget you had it done most of the time. Good luck.
Thanks for the article. I'm getting ready to set up an appointment for a total help. The doc I've been speaking with is very much pro- posterior hip. My powerlifting days are behind me though I still am able to deadlift and work with heavy kettlebells. Wondered if anyone had any experience lifting after a posterior hip replacement. Scared it will rob me of the lifting I'm still able to do.
Thanks,
Dave
Facing THP myself, I'd like to know how he is doing.
Had lateral approach THA on the left hip 8 weeks ago. The first 3 weeks were painful, with lots of leg swelling, but am now walking 45+ minutes daily, and doing sets of 30 rep squats with bodyweight, with little/no pain nor swelling.
In the lateral approach used, the piriformis muscle is detached and reflected to protect the sciatic nerve during surgery, then sutured back in place. The literature suggests 12+ weeks for this suturing to heal, so only doing bodyweight squats until then, along with some PT exercises. I have been doing light leg curls, leg extensions, and standing calf raises since 3 weeks post-op. Our old house has stairs, so immediately post-op, I was only climbing and descending about 90 stairs, but now do a total of 240+ stairs daily,
The goal is 225 on the squat for sets of 20+ by Thanksgiving 2023, 53 weeks post-op, which was easy 15 months ago before the hip gradually got too painful to squat at all.
Great article, and really helpful to hear everyone's stories - best wishes to you all!