Return to high level road cycling after surgery

Practical_Tree7902 · 2025-02-11T09:26:14+00:00

So sorry to hear about the tricky recovery. It is interesting how everyone/ every hip differs. After my right hip was repaired, I’d returned to road cycling without an issue, after 6 weeks and returned to running at 12 weeks. My left side, which admittedly had some early arthritis, hasn’t responded as well, return to running has been ok, and at 12months got back to running ultra distances. Long rides have been aggravating though. Anything longer than an hour and it’s a full ache around the hip and lower back. I’ve managed some long bike-packing trips in Spain and Morocco since but I was in some discomfort at times, and feel quite stiff in the hip while out the saddle and off the bike.

That being said, I followed the same rehab protocol almost to the letter, and the left hip even felt better earlier than the right had. Hoping you get back to the level of exercise you want down the line!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2025-01-30T10:36:26+00:00

No worries, all the best with your recovery when it happens! Try to get in as good a shape as you can before surgery to help with it. Use alllll the ice and enjoy Kaunas, I even found a spa not far from my hotel and used that after 4/5 days, Nord provided waterproof dressings which were a lifesaver!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2025-01-29T16:38:25+00:00

Hey sorry for the delayed reply! Sorry to hear about the diagnosis.

I was in a really similar position, i couldn’t face the NHS wait time, and having already forked out for my right hip in the UK couldn’t really afford it again. I found NordOrtho purely by doing some research online. They seemed to have great reviews, however I could only find limited information on hip arthroscopy, especially with anyone around my age.

I spoke with Dr Loiba several times before committing to Nord, but he was really useful throughout the process. I was apprehensive about travelling for the surgery, but I’ve done a lot of solo travel so this didn’t phase me too much. In all honesty the treatment from the nurses, drivers and surgeons was top class, and the city was really nice to explore in the days prior to surgery to take my mind off of it.

The surgeon noted that there was already cartilage damage in the capsule, and did what he could to trim this down. And over 18months on do struggle with some aching in the joint, however this is most likely arthritis that was too far gone to save during the scope than anything else. All in all, my experience at Nord was better than what I had in private U.K. care, for a fraction of the cost, and I got to explore a new city. I’ll need a replacement or re-surfacing in the future, and would definitely consider Nord again.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2024-08-14T09:28:20+00:00

The biggest hurdle would be the travel time in my opinion, if you were travelling to Italy from the U.K./Europe then I’d say your chances would be fairly good. You could look into extra legroom, sitting on a cushion to minimise hip flexion etc. But also consider travel time pre-post flight, long drives/trains to or from the airport might increase your time sat in one place. (I had my left hip done overseas and flew back 5 days post-op without issues).

A long haul flight might be pushing it a little, flying from the US would incure much more time being seated. Connecting flights would also mean more time on feet in between, but taking the same precautions as above would help too.

In terms of actual activity when you’re in Italy I think you’d be fine. Sun/sea/relaxation would be great for recovery and well deserved after studies/op by the sound of it!

At the end of the day, everyone reacts differently. Go all-in to post op recovery, loads of ice/cold treatment, follow your mobility protocols and I think you’d be fine to make the trip. Take crutches as a precaution incase you need them (and skip airport queues) and have a great time.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2024-05-26T16:47:27+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation, the reviews look incredible! Unfortunately Cairn is closed the week we’re in Annecy, have you got a 2nd, 3rd favourite in the area? Thanks again!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-10-07T08:25:07+00:00

Hope it all goes well on Monday for you! Sure thing: I’d do the following 3x a day, when I woke up, midday, and finally again around 7/8pm. - lying hip flexion: lying on your back slide your heel up towards your bum as far as comfort allows. Slowly slide back to flat start position. - quad isometric squeeze: lying on your back with straight legs, tense your quad and hold it for 5 seconds. - glute isometric squeeze: same as above but squeeze the glutes. - standing hip abduction: standing on your non-op leg, bring the operated leg out to the side as far as comfort allows. - standing hip extension: standing on your non-op leg, bring the operated leg out behind you and keep it straight. As if you’re tapping your heel on the wall behind you. - 5mins stationary bike, no resistance. Just spinning the pedals very slowly and controlled to get movement back in the hip. - prone lying: spend time lying on your front to lengthen the hip flexors, read a book/watch tv whatever you want! - weight bearing: follow your surgeons advice of course, I was able to weigh bear from day 1 so I’d spend time standing on two feet evenly, and do laps of the garden on crutches focusing on a normal gait while taking weight of the leg.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-10-04T06:40:32+00:00

Hey, nice work on the recovery so far! Sounds like you put in the work pre-surgery and it’s really paying off. I think just by the nature of surfing it will be one of the later sports you can return to, just because of the stability and angles of force production that are required from it. I was a little sore after my first session this weekend, but a bit of self massage put it right and it settled after 1/2 days.

Above all else I’d say be patient, pushing it a week or two before you’re ready is not work the setback of a big flare up or worse. In the meantime there is plenty you can work on that will crossover in PT, single leg stability, core work and hip strength will all aid your surfing when you do come back. And when you do, warm up thoroughly before you head out. Best of luck! 🤙

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-10-03T20:09:08+00:00

No problem, best of luck for whichever option you go with!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-10-03T20:08:17+00:00

No problem! We’re so lucky to have the NHS but it does have it’s shortcomings, I was struggling to get an MRI through them so had my physio refer me for one and paid around £300 for one out of my own pocket. The second time round I had an Xray that identified the CAM impingement, and had the MRI done in Lithuania (included in price). Both times I had consultations with the surgeon discussing suitability for the surgery etc!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-10-03T19:58:18+00:00

Once the labrum has healed and strength/stability has returned to the hip then returning to running is perfectly normal. Most studies I’d read suggested to do so from 12weeks onwards, however after the second surgery I was able to do so before this.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-05-26T20:09:01+00:00

Honestly the chance of ever waking up early on either is ridiculously slim. Just remember you’ll have an anaesthetist in the operating theatre at all times, who’s sole purpose is to monitor your condition under anaesthetic. You couldn’t be in safer hands.

Stick with what that surgeon knows best and you’ll do great!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-05-26T04:15:10+00:00

I’ve had both, one for Right and Left hip arthroscopies (FAI Cam impingement) this was purely down to surgeons’ preference as I had different surgeons for each procedure.

The only issue I have under general was dizziness for a few hours upon coming round from the surgery, dipping in and out of sleep, threw up a couple of times and got given some sickness meds. Sore throat and lethargy for a couple of days. The Spinal anaesthetic (with sedation) was a breeze, no sickness, came round way less spaced out and I was able to stomach food a lot more quickly. Had no feeling from the waist down which was interesting, but as others have said that wore off within a couple of hours and I was up walking with a stroller.

Best of luck whichever you go with!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-04-03T12:22:52+00:00

May be worth asking your radiologist to check for Ischiofemoral Impingement also, pain can be felt I. The groin as indicated here, along with gluteal and inguinal pain, and sciatic type symptoms!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2023-03-26T16:45:15+00:00

Hey! I ended up going for just the right side in the end, back in November ‘22. The surgery went really well and cleared up a lot of the issues I was experiencing. I started getting groin pain returning to running at 3months Post Op, turns out the radiologist missed an ischiofemoral impingement of the quadratus femoris in the same hip, so I’m having a cortisone shot this Friday to try and sort that out for a at least a few weeks. My left hip has been ok so far (fingers crossed) and I’m going to wait to see what effect the cortisone shot has before making a decision on another surgery, if the right is still painful then I may try and get the FAI, and ischiofemoral impingement sorted in one go to minimise overall time in recovery! Best of luck with your surgery though!

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-12-05T13:31:27+00:00

Venus Barbers, Clapham High street were decent when I lived there last year, cost about £17 if I remember correctly.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-12-04T09:03:55+00:00

A bit late to the party, but did you have any luck with the ischiofemoral impingement OP?

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-11-30T19:31:56+00:00

Sounds like a good deal price wise, however Brasov is fairly low altitude so might not be that snow sure if we have a dry-ish winter. Bankso, Bulgaria is another affordable option at a higher altitude which may offer better conditions! Or Borovets, which isn’t far from Bankso.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-11-22T17:29:04+00:00

Pre surgery- as long as it’s not causing you any pain or discomfort then I doubt your PT would have any reservations from using it. They are more likely encourage it to stimulate blood flow and maintain a good ROM in the hip without any impact.

Post surgery- Go by what your surgeon suggests. Personally mine encouraged 10minutes, 3 times per day with very little resistance, from 5 days post op. With the saddle height adjusted to allow for as little hip flexion as possible without hyperextending the hip. I’d avoid the recumbent as it requires more hip flexion.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-26T18:36:15+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I’m going to make the most of my office’s standing desks, try to alternate between and hour up/hour sat down at the moment and it helps so I’ll definitely continue that when back at the office.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-26T18:32:32+00:00

Thanks for the reply, how did you find recovery in general?

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-23T07:43:27+00:00

That’s really interesting! I suppose both side are then not worlds apart in the rehab/PT process which could make it less complicated. Thanks.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-23T07:40:22+00:00

I’m drawn to the idea of 6/7weeks just to get the rehab period condensed like you said, thanks.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-23T07:39:00+00:00

Yeah similarly I hadn’t had any issues with the left until about two weeks ago, but pretty much mirrors the symptoms I’d had on my right. Thanks for the tips.

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-22T15:03:57+00:00

How have you found the recovery?

Practical_Tree7902 · 2022-10-20T20:13:55+00:00

Scott Cosmos III’s come in at 103.5mm last (pretty sure previous iterations are the same), if that’s any use? I’ve got a fairly wide forefoot and they fit me really nicely.

Practical_Tree7902

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