The hip prosthesis, now not an impedimenta
Fortunately, as of today, the hip replacement surgery is absolutely not an impediment to continue playing golf.
Nowadays, interventions are less invasive, with less bleeding, pain and recovery times. All this should not underestimate the importance of the postoperative period, which is understood as
care and rehabilitation.
Factors to avoid acquiring a hip prosthesis
To prevent early wear and tear of the hip joint , factors to consider include:
– Stress due to sport or work activity
– Congenital dysfunctions
– Obesity
– Osteoporosis
– Previous traumas
How do we recognize the signs of a possible hip problem?
The signs that make us suspect a problem at the level of the hip joint (coxofemoral) are mainly pain in the groin or on the front side of the leg, and a permanent or sudden limp.
At the first symptoms, it is highly recommended to make an appointment with a traumatologist and evaluate the situation of the joint with x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging.
Different cases that may or may not involve a hip replacement
If the joint wear is minimal, we can considerably improve the conditions with physiotherapy and specific supplementation and prolonged in time since the prostheses have a limited life and if we can wait, so much the better.
If, on the other hand, the joint is already too worn out and the disability it causes in daily life is significant, it is necessary to opt for surgery and solve the problem by implanting a hip prosthesis.
The hip prosthesis, post-operative recovery
The first few months are critical for complete recovery, and great attention must be paid to:
– Correct ambulation with crutches
– Balance exercises
– Strengthening of leg and gluteal muscles
– No weight gain
– Avoiding dangerous movements for the prosthesis
The latter are excessive bending (e.g., picking up an object on the floor) or crossing the legs (e.g., when sitting or sleeping) as these can dislodge the prosthesis.
Once the post-operative diagnostic tests have been done (usually one month after the operation) and the conditions are optimal, we can return to the practice field and start with short game and soft shots with irons.
Golf with a hip prosthesis, words of Chiara Cantone
During practice it is advisable: Sessions of thirty minutes maximum or interspersed with breaks.
– Open the toe on the prosthetic side, to avoid stressing the area with excessive extra rotations during the swing
– Train a slow and leisurely swing
– Avoid walking for long distances on uneven terrain (choose the buggy)
– Avoid bending down to pick up the ball (use other means)
I recommend to continue under the supervision of a physiotherapist who will dilute the sessions over the weeks and will continue to evaluate:
– The condition of the tissues (mainly edema and scarring)
– The condition of the muscles (tone and eventual contractures)
– Balance and ambulation
All fundamental factors for the prosthesis to last for many years without discomfort.
Good golf, in good health!
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