Medical professionals generally recommend individuals with artificial hips avoid high-impact activities such as running, because these activities can cause injury and damage to an artificial hip. On the other hand, active individuals, especially those who are younger, may be allowed to return to moderate running regimens under the supervision of a physician. Consult your doctor before returning to running after a hip replacement.
Artificial Hip
An artificial hip is made of different types of metals and plastics such as titanium, chromium and polyethylene. It is surgically implanted, screwed and cemented to your hip and thighbone, replacing your damaged or arthritic hip. The lifespan of an artificial hip varies greatly; but according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, you have an 80 percent chance of your artificial hip lasting 20 years.
Running
Running is a high-impact activity that places a great amount of stress through your hip joint, artificial or not. Carlton G. Savory reported in a 1999 “Hughston Health Alert” article that running exerts forces on the hip joint that are between two and four times greater than your weight. This repetitive stress on your artificial hip is what makes running a high-risk activity. On the other hand, a research article published in 2010 in the “Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases” reported that in one study individuals under the age of 50 who participated in high-impact activities had no problems with their artificial hips during a 10-year follow-up.
Complications
One of the most common complications with running is prematurely wearing out your artificial hip. Additional hip surgeries may be necessary to repair or replace your worn artificial hip. The wearing away of the metal and plastic can also cause small pieces of the material to come loose, which may be harmful and toxic. Additional risk factors associated with running on an artificial hip include dislocating your artificial hip, fractures of your hip and thighbone, and bone loss.
Current Recommendations
Avoid running as much as possible due to the high-risk nature of the activity. Instead, perform safer, low-impact activities such as biking, swimming and walking. If your physician, however, clears you for running, strictly follow the guidelines set by your physician to reduce your risk of injury. Currently there are no standard, or universal, guidelines for running with an artificial hip. However, your physician may advise you to avoid long-distance running.
Other Considerations
If you want to resume running, maintain a healthy weight, stretch regularly and perform strength exercises to help prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your artificial hip. Your age, bone health and overall fitness level also play roles in your ability to return to running after a hip replacement. Furthermore, new materials, such as diamond, are constantly being tested in artificial hips for safety, durability and reliability. Therefore, as artificial hips improve, running and other high-impact activities might be considered safer and more appropriate.
References
- “Hughston Health Alert”; Total Joint Replacement: Getting "Physical" without Overdoing It; Carlton G. Savory, M.D.; 1999
- “Clinics in Sports Medicine”; Sports after Total Hip Replacement; Andrew G. Yun, M.D.; 2006
- “Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases”; Athletic Participation After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty; Alexander Golant, M.D., et al.; 2010
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Hip Implants; October 2007
- Hospital for Special Surgery; Joint Replacement: Implant Bearing Surface Materials; Timothy Wright, Ph.D., et al.; November 10, 2009
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Activities After Hip Replacement; April 2009
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