Hip replacement surgery involves removing a diseased or damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. To ensure the patient's safety, prosthetic hip joints are designed to withstand corrosion, decay and deterioration. However, certain movements, positions and activities can still damage the sturdy prosthetics. For this reason, playing basketball after hip replacement surgery can put your replacement at risk.
Benefits of Exercise
During your hip replacement recovery, your doctor will likely suggest several gentle exercises to help improve circulation and prevent blood clots. Typically, these exercises are started within a few days of your surgery. As you become stronger, you might also start walking with a walker or crutches to further increase muscle strength. Once you have fully recovered from your hip replacement surgery, more intensive exercise can help reduce stiffness and pain in the joint. After several weeks of regular exercise, you should also notice greater muscle strength and increased range of motion from the hip.
Basketball Dangers
For many months and years following your hip replacement surgery, a wide variety of activities will likely be restricted. Among these, basketball is one of the most common. Playing basketball requires you to run, jump and change your direction of movement quickly. All three of these activities can be extremely damaging after hip surgery. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease website explains that playing basketball can cause your artificial hip to become damaged or loose inside your body. Before attempting to play basketball after a hip replacement, it's essential that you consult your physician.
Activities To Avoid
Avoid all high-impact activities that place a significant amount of stress or weight on your hip joints. These activities include running, jogging, football, baseball and horseback riding. Sports that involve direct contact, such as football and wrestling, are particularly dangerous among patients with hip replacements. Additionally, avoid exercises that require quick movements of the feet, such as tennis and racquetball. Although these activities are typically not as dangerous as high-impact sports, the quick movements could potentially damage the sensitive hip replacement.
Recommended Exercises
To ensure safety, speak with your doctor to determine when you can start exercising and which activities are appropriate for your condition. Typically, hip replacement patients can start exercising after a few weeks or months. Safe exercises generally include walking, swimming, water aerobics, dancing, golfing, climbing stairs and gentle cycling.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Hip Replacement
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease: What Is a Hip Replacement?
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease: Questions and Answers about Hip Replacement
- The Hip and Knee Institute: Long Term Care of Your Hip Replacement
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Total Hip Replacement Exercise Guide
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Activities After Hip Replacement
