You may be concerned with what is safe and not safe to do after your hip replacement surgery. However, it's usually safe to continue your pre-surgery martial arts routine, though you may have to adjust it slightly to compensate for your new hip. This is true for both a partial and a total hip replacements. Start off slowly, and always consult your doctor or physical therapist before beginning.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement surgery lasts a few hours because it is a multi-step process. This procedure begins with your surgeon removing the damaged bone and cartilage and replacing them with prosthetic parts. These parts are usually made out of ceramic, plastic or metal. More active patients, like those who do martial arts, have the option of using a noncemented prosthesis made from either a textured metal or a bone-like substance. This allows for bone to grow into the prosthesis and makes the hip prosthesis more like a true hip.
Activity After Surgery
Becoming active again after surgery can be daunting. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons advises to begin with light activities. Your first few days after surgery are spent in the hospital for observation and recovery, which involves light activities such as walking. After about three to six weeks, you can resume daily activities such as walking your stairs or dusting, along with the exercises recommended by your physician. It may take a few months after surgery for you to be able to resume doing martial arts. Dr. James C. Kudrna, a surgeon at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Illinois, suggests waiting between six to nine months before starting more vigorous forms of exercise. This includes karate and other martial arts. However, some martial arts are safer than others. For example, tai chi is safer than many other forms of martial arts because it is more meditative and consists of gentle motions. Martial arts such as jujitsu, judo and taekwondo are more dangerous to your prosthesis.
Hip Resurfacing
Hip resurfacing, developed by Dr. Derek McMinn, a hip surgeon in Birmingham, England, is a relatively new innovation that may be used instead of hip replacement surgery. Hip resurfacing utilizes both shaping and capping, along with a prosthesis, to allow individuals to live active lifestyles. Discuss this option with your surgeon if you want to maintain a particularly rigorous martial arts routine.
Mobility After Surgery
Your mobility and range of motion are permanently affected by hip replacement. For example, you won't be able to perform certain moves, such as a high kick, right away. Start out with low kicks and build your way up. According to the FightingArts.com, certain martial arts stances are also affected by this type of surgery. On the other hand, the fact that hip replacement surgery can rid you of your pre-surgery hip pain has the potential to improve your performance as a martial arts student or teacher.
