Hip Talk at Surface Hippy

Hello, 

I am an active 65 year old yoga practitioner and currently scheduled for a left hip resurfacing using the ReCerf ceramic prosthesis in May 2026.

I would like to learn more about hip mobility from anyone whose has had hip resurfacing, especially using a ceramic prosthesis.

From everything I am reading, following hip resurfacing and even after the recovery period, the advice is to:

    - no longer sleep on your stomach
    - Never cross your legs
    - Absolutely do not sit in lotus pose
    - No side or forward leg splits
    - No half moon pose on the resurfaced hip
    - No pigeon pose
    - Etc.

Is this the case for the first 6 months of recovery or is it the case for the rest of your life? 

Are there and hardcore yogis out there whom have had hip resurfacing with a ceramic prothesis? What is your yoga practice like a year after surgery?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Carlos

Hi,
As with all recoveries you'll get different stories and perspectives but I can offer my experience which has similarities. I had bilateral resurfacing (phased, 10 weeks apart) and even factoring in the staggered recovery between left and right, my right hip (the second surgery) took longer to find a reasonable base level to work with.

Around 10 months on, I had what was determined as gluteal tendinopathy and bursa that wouldn't shift and was hampering the right hip's ability to recover and start taking more load. Working with my physio we tried a number of treatments and exercises before finally landing on a protocol that seemed to produce results.

We found that my outer quads, which for years had worked overtime to compensate for poor mechanics, were still trying to do all the work but now pulling at the tendon because they'd become so tight (a bit like tennis elbow I guess). In the gym, we worked on upper body, particularly core and Lats to try and relieve the quad. The exercise which really highlighted what was happening was the farmer carry, holding one dumbbell by my side, while holding another above my head, and then walking. The right hip would drop, the glute too weak to maintain a good neutral pelvic position and activate to push the leg through (the quad effectively pulling the leg through as before surgery). So, lots of Lat pulldowns, farmer carries, and dumbbell rows later we resolved a lot of the issues. We then worked on strengthening the inner quad muscles which had grown weak to get them in the game, along with glute strength. As for treatment, some (very painful) deep tissue massage into the quad to release the tightness was also a game-changer.

As I say, your issue may be different, and I would certainly say my pain was more acute than dull like yours, but something to perhaps discuss with your physio if not already.

All the best!

Well, I had my right Hip Resurfaced 5 years ago.  In hindsight I waited a year too long. The pain became severe enough that I was using a cane in the mornings. I had to make a decision even though I was still skeptical that Hip Resurfacing was a legitimate solution. After spending hours on the SURFACEHIPPY website I concluded that it was the logical choice.  I selected Dr. Koen De Smet [experience/reputation] to resurface my right hip and the hip just feels normal...unbelievable.

Unfortunately my left hip has started to become painful at times. After running longer distances or doing some sprints I would have moderate pain and be limping. The pain is intermittent but happening more frequently [similar to "imgetinold" experience]. X-rays confirmed that I have moderate to advanced osteoarthritis. I contacted Dr. Koen De Smet and he informed me that I am still a good candidate for Hip Resurfacing...I am scheduled for Hip Resurfacing this March.

Not everyone is a candidate for Hip Resurfacing and if you are over age 60 or female your chances become more limited. Also, if your hip deteriorates too much you may have to settle for a Hip Replacement. Surgery still worries me but I will take my chances and hope my Hip Resurfacing is successful. 

Hi
The BHR by smith and Nephew I don't think is available anymore in the UK.
However the ADEPT® Hip Resurfacing System is used in its place. Surgeon told me it's the same.

The sunsetting of the BHR adds a new level of urgency for those of us waiting to get a hip resurfacing procedure. To complicate things, I was told by a prominent surgeons PA that the H! could be available in the US in the "nearish future". That raises some searching questions:

As a man for whom BHR is an option, perhaps the most pressing is whether the unknown of long term CoC performance is worth what would seem to be the added benefit of cementless fixation in the H1. Could anyone comment on the relative merit of ceramic vs metal and cementless vs cemented?

Does anyone have any further insights into the timeline of a possible H1 approval for the United States?

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Update from me - I have now gotten an MRI back with the surgeon and been diagnosed with gluteal tendinopathy - minor generative changes in the attachment to the hip bone. Minor inflammatory changes in the perichondrial bursa.

I also got a PRP shot and so far (7 days later) I feel worse. I was told that it does take a bit to work and if it does, I should go get a second one. I am hoping this is just the initial inflammation from the shot. I have been told to do stretches and no activity like hiking or long walks but it's honestly even hard to sit on the couch, so I am sitting on my office chair when watching TV. I am really struggling with this - I did the surgery because I was hoping I'd go back to some type of activity and a year on, I am in pain a lot and even physio seems out of reach and aggravating. Has anyone else had experience with this? Has some words of advice /encouragement? Even sitting on the couch wit my girlfriend is a real struggle and I am starting to feel really down. Please help!

Late to the discussion here.......I haven't been on this forum for a while......

I was 44 for my first, and struggled with the same thing.  My pain was intermittant.  At first, I would have pain for a day or two, then it would subside for months.  Over time, that changed.  Next, I'd be in pain 3-4 days, then no pain for a month.  As time went on (over maybe 18 months), it got to where I'd be in pain for 2-3 weeks, then pain free for a week.  I also was playing tennis a lot, and running, etc.  Tennis caused it to hurt the worst.  I would have periods of time where I couldn't sleep because of the pain, couldn't find a comfortable position, and on and on.

So, I finally scheduled surgery.  The day before surgery I ran 4 pain-free miles.  Talk about screwing with your head.  But I was fully aware that 2 weeks of misery were around the corner.

Flash forward 9 years, my second hip starts to go.  First, my family told me I was limping, and I was unaware.  Then the telltale groin pain started.  I IMMEDIATELY schedule surgery, though it was COVID times and I had to wait several months.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have pulled the trigger much sooner.  In hindsight, if the device lasts 20 years, and then I have to get a THR (with the presumption of slowing down, athletically), I'd rather do that at 64 than 44.  Now, I think it could realistically last my lifetime, but that's the calculation I applied.

If I pulled the trigger at age 43 and avoided a year of pain, that number changes to 63.  Who cares?  Hope this helps.

This is just anecdotal, but I've heard that Dr. Su's bedside manner isn't the best.  I've also heard that he can be unresponsive to questions.  I don't have direct experience, just relaying things I've heard over the years.  

I CAN attest to Dr. Gross, who did both of mine.  He is THE BEST, and his staff is top notch.  Plus, he can do it outpatient and save you some money.  Not sure if Dr. Su does that.  Maybe....you'd have to check.

Well, it doesn't seem like yesterday but November 13th marked my 10 year resurfacing anniversary.

All went well with my 10 year check however I have had a bit of muscular pain in the area this year so they gave me an MRI just to be on the safe side. Currently waiting on the results but no issues with range of movement or mobility so fingers crossed!

Hello,

I am hoping for some advice  about my recovery from my resurfacing operation just over 10 months ago. I am a 48 year old male. I have been having repeated painful episodes which normally last for a week or two and generally occur after I have done increased exercise or physio. The pain is generally a dull ache around the operated hip (on the outside of thigh) and posterially and is particularly bad whilst sitting - also making it impossible to sleep on that side. I require painkillers to sleep normally when the episode is at its worst, gradually it calms down but it is greatly affecting my ability to do physio and slowing down my recovery. I have returned to gentle, non competitive tennis and hiking small mountains but anything more strenuous is still remains out of reach (I was very sporty and active pre-op).
During the episodes I can walk fine with no pain but sitting is painful, particularly on low sofas etc. when I do my physio I do feel a small popping sensation especially when I am tired which I believe (from other posts on here) is the hip capsule rather than the prosthetic joint itself. I am considering an mri to see if there are any underlying abnormalities with the joint/soft tissue - X-rays at 3 and 6 months suggest the joint itself is in perfect position. Any advice greatly appreciated