Hip replacement surgery

[ricco2623]

I never threw a frisbee or golf disc til I turned 50, now 5 years later I love this game and would say that for my age and lack of previous experience I have excelled. The biggest hold back as far as my game has been the constant pain in my left knee for years. While not so bad when actually throwing, the walking would take its toil on me. Two years ago I went to an ortho specialist and was told it was my hip, not my knee. I had been treated for knee pain for years, so imagine my surprise. So surprised in fact that I went to a second specialist and was told the same. The osteoarthritis was so advanced they said I needed a hip replacement.

Now fast forward to Thanksgiving week and I have the surgery, now a little over two weeks later I am mostly pain free (no constant pain anyway) and hopefully after the soreness gone and the therapy has done its job I will be able to return to everyday life pain free for the first time in years. Now the skinny, my biggest concern is returning to play Disc Golf. First, the 3 things to avoid after a hip surgery, Do NOT cross legs, Do NOT bend more than 90 degrees, and Do NOT twist your surgery leg. After four months these precautions will alleviate some but to what extent I am not sure. I showed my PT a video of disc golf and she was not too sure I would be able to do the motions involved. So I come here to seek out any others that have had such surgery and what can I expect. I am so determined to return I even took advantage of Grips sale to buy me a new bag for when I return. Thanks in advance.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

might want to work on a FH. you should be able to drive pretty far with minimal body rotation and up/shots with just a flick of the wrist.

 

[Fab Man]

I can't speak from personal experience, but my neighbor who has had both of his hip replaced, will join me for a round on occasions. He doesn't throw long, but his short game can be pretty good. He is an avid ball golfer and hasn't spent a lot of time working on his disc game, but he enjoys playing and seems to do alright with it. You might just have to ditch the run up and adjust your throwing style, but hopefully you'll still be able to play.

 

[turbine712]

After 17 orthopedic procedures including both knees replaced I have found that there are no issues in throwing. However, I don't have a hip replacement. This being said, I guess if it was me in your position, I would give a go at throwing from a standing position. Or figuring out a throw with no X- step. Forehand woul also be an option. Problem with me is I can't throw a forehand to save my soul.
Good Luck!!

 

[MacDaddy]

I am 54 and had my right hip replaced almost 5 years ago and am certainly playing better now than I was then (at least I can play)! The first year just sucks. No endurance and everything is new again! I have pretty much gone with a stand-and-throw approach, simply lifting my right leg (I throw RHBH) and stepping into it and throwing. You might also see if you can develop a forehand shot. Have also found the blizzard plastic (and all lighter discs) to be a good thing too. The first couple of years take some work, but after 5 years things feel pretty "normal". Now if I can just hold off on my left hip..... :thmbup:

 

[Shamis]

might want to work on a FH. you should be able to drive pretty far with minimal body rotation and up/shots with just a flick of the wrist.

Yup. I can get about 80% of my normal backhand distance with no run-up, no x-step, just stand and deliver. Flicking is much easier on everything except my elbow.

 

[MarkDSM]

There are a few variants in hip replacement surgeries which cut/stretch/move a variety of different muscles, tendons, and fascias. Mileage can vary greatly in the results and capabilities. Likely, some approaches in replacement are better for disc golf movements. This is a why when a pro athlete goes down, they go see a niche specialist that knows the ins and outs related to the performance goals.

 

[ricco2623]

Thanks everyone, keep your comments coming. I also have no flick shot, puts a lot of stress on my shoulder and elbow. Played baseball and softball til I was 40 years old and got a ton of mileage on my throwing arm. One reason I loved the BH was it seemed to put no pressure on my arm at all. I am working hard now not even 3 weeks in and hoping to be able to play in month 4-6 and will be cautious in my approach ( standing still, short abbreviated step, etc.). Love this game and already getting tired of watching youtube tournaments.

 

[hophead]

I have a good friend who also had a hip replacement. He was back playing in a few short weeks although he probably should of waited a little longer. He is only in his late thirties and he took it really easy for a couple months. I would say he is back close to 100% now, does full run ups, etc... Hell he has no pain now so he says its better than before. Everyone is different and you're a lil older but as long as you rehab it properly you should be ok. Good luck!

 

[pookie]

My wife had hip replacement at the beginning of this year and I am going in for a hip scope at the end of this month. What I have learned is the best way to get answers on limitations is talk about golf, not disc golf. Golf has some of the same motions that disc golf has with the hips and the doctor would be able to give you a good breakdown of the cans and cannots. When you bring up disc golf to most they look at you like well you use your arm so you should be fine. They don't understand that the whole body is in play. I would also see a sports medicine physician as well if you are not right now. I have seen a huge difference from how my initial doctor was going to manage my hip to the sports physician.
I have also been playing with torn labriam in both of my hips for this entire year and the best thing I found was slower your motions, (it's killed my distance but I still can play), wear shoes that have really good support, and know your limitations. The impact of throwing or just walking can be taken down greatly by having good supportive shoes.

 

[ru4por]

You should be able to do about anything you want after the first 6 months or so. Really go after the physicial therapy, small sacrifice now pays big dividend later. Your body will tell you the limits. It will take time to get back to where you were, be patient. I was an ortho nurse (post op) for a few years. These surgeries give people the chance to get their lives back. Good luck to you.

 

[ricco2623]

Went back to Doc today and he says I am healing well and likes the progress I have made. I asked about his thoughts on returning to disc golf and was surprised to to learn he knew of it. He nixed the X-step right away and said I will have to modify it. A FH flick is not the answer in my case as it puts to much pressure on my shoulder and elbow. I have really never paid much attention to an abbreviated runup or standstill throws yet I have thrown standstill before. Any ideas on how to get max distance without an X-step?

 

[bobmcnelly]

I didn't have hip surgery, but I did have metal put in my back after breaking a vertebrae. Granted I was 25 not 50. But make sure you make a full recovery. It's a marathon, not a sprint. A year after breaking my back I played disc all summer and snowboarded(which is how I broke my back) around 50 days that next winter. So yea basically take your time, don't rush your body. Make a full recovery, not a fast recovery.

 

[ricco2623]

I am now well into PT and walking really well on the treadmill. Still using a cane but walk with a slight limp without. Walked out back behind the house this past weekend and threw some upshots from about 120 feet with my putters and then putted for about 45 minutes. Hoping to be able to try some full shots by Spring Break in March.

 

[Bradley Short]

Thanks everyone, keep your comments coming. I also have no flick shot, puts a lot of stress on my shoulder and elbow. Played baseball and softball til I was 40 years old and got a ton of mileage on my throwing arm. One reason I loved the BH was it seemed to put no pressure on my arm at all. I am working hard now not even 3 weeks in and hoping to be able to play in month 4-6 and will be cautious in my approach ( standing still, short abbreviated step, etc.). Love this game and already getting tired of watching youtube tournaments.

I am 40 and have had both hips done last year. Right one in June, left one in November 2022. Proud to say I'm a severe rookie at the game, but can do a semi run up and throw. Not the best distance yet maybe 100 feet at best. Also have Dupuytren's contracture of throwing hand. Am ambidextrous to a point though. Not off the mound I'm not. But good for you and good luck. Take this as a Positive.

God Bless.