Kitesurfing after hip surgery

[Flyboy]

Seems my hips are done for. Osteoarthritis has left both with bone on bone and the consequent pain. I describe myself as like a penguin at this point - able to glide around on the water with a foil, but hobbling when I'm on dry land. I'm wondering what Kiteforum members have had hip replacement surgery and whether they were able to go back to kiting afterwards?

[foam-n-fibre]

A friend of mine had both his hips replaced when he was in his mid 50's. He is still kiting, but has been foiling and also winging more recently. I'm not sure if that is him taking it easy or just a natural progression that lots of us go through as sports evolve. It is certainly not keeping him off the water though!

[knotwindy]

Friend had a hip and opposite knee in two years and is still out on the water and loving it. Said the usual ‘can’t believe I waited so long’.

[Flyboy]

Use the kiteforum search, I remember a topic with more info…a friend of mine also has a new hip and still kites

[Flyboy]

A friend of mine had both his hips replaced when he was in his mid 50's. He is still kiting, but has been foiling and also winging more recently. I'm not sure if that is him taking it easy or just a natural progression that lots of us go through as sports evolve. It is certainly not keeping him off the water though!

I made the decision about 4 years ago, as old age started creeping up, that foiling made sense ... & having persisted through the steep & sometimes painful learning curve I can say categorically that foiling is the way to go. Once the skill level is sufficiently high, kite foiling is much easier on the body than kiting with a TT or SB.

[Flyboy]

Ise the kiteforum search, I remember a topic with more info…a friend of mine also has a new hip and still kites

OK - yes: I see it has come up a couple of times in the past. The more usual issue in kiting is with knee injuries which can be caused by participation in multiple different sports, including, of course, kitesurfing. Hip problems are more likely to be general wear & tear over time & genetic disposition. Trying to explain kitesurfing (let alone kite foiling) to a medical professional is a lost cause. It sounds as though kitefoiling (excluding mega-looping) would be OK after full post op recovery.

[Boston kiter]

My friend and kiter had his done and was back on the water in a few months. Everyone I know that has had hip surgery claims it has gone very well and recovery was not bad. good luck.

[knotwindy]

Talked to my friend and they said they were back kiting 3 months to the day after the hip surgery. Said the knee recovery was much worse. Best of luck if you go ahead with it and I have yet to meet someone who has regretted having it done. Although I am sure someone will speak up now and say they did!

[SimonP]

I have had a Birmingham hip resurfacing on both hips, which is a better option for active lifestyles than a traditional hip replacement. Walking again within 10 days and happily kiting after 6 weeks. Definitely beneficial to quality of life. I don't ride twin-tips or run anymore. Now it's my knees going arthritic. Genetics + football (soccer) + windsurfing + kiting have all taken a toll.

[purdyd]

I broke my femur at the neck and with my age they replace the hip.

Walking next day. Bike after 5 weeks. Foiling after 7 weeks. Surfboard after 2 months.

After six months I was pretty solid. I’m still not 100% but close.

I know two other people who had it done and they are quite active and it really improved their quality of life.