How Soon Can I Golf After a Hip Replacement?

The last thing an athlete or even a recreational golfer wants to hear is that they need a hip replacement, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you or somebody you know recently underwent surgery, you might be wondering how long you have to wait after a hip replacement before you can golf.

You can golf about three months after a standard hip replacement surgery. Rehabilitation will begin immediately after surgery. Physical therapy will help, but remember that bone can take up to two years to finish remodeling. Don’t golf until your surgeon gives you the go-ahead.

In this article, I will discuss how soon you can play golf after a hip replacement and how long it takes to recover from hip replacement surgery. I will also discuss whether you can exercise after a hip replacement and which exercises are the best or should be avoided after the surgery.

Can I Play Golf After Hip Replacement Surgery?

Needing hip replacement surgery can be terrifying, especially if you enjoy playing sports. Whether your hip is damaged because of arthritis—which is the main cause that leads to needing a hip replacement—or from injury, you might be wondering if you will be able to play golf again once the surgery is done.

You can play golf after hip replacement surgery. Golf is a low-impact sport and won’t put as much strain on your hip as high-impact sports. The recovery time for a hip replacement varies greatly; however, the usual recovery time before playing golf is around three months.

Hip replacement surgery is scary, but it doesn’t have to stop you from playing golf. Follow your physical therapist and surgeon’s instructions, and you should be able to enjoy playing your favorite sport again before you know it.

Golf With Caution After a Surgery

Do not try to golf before your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. It will take some time, but overdoing it before you are ready can have devastating consequences. Hip replacement surgery can lead to some physical limitations, and you may not be as flexible or strong as you were before.

Hip replacement surgery can cause faults in your golf game and even injury. If you are hanging back when swinging, it can cause a lumbar injury. For this reason, following your physical therapist’s instructions is essential.

Follow these easy tips to ensure you do not hurt yourself once you start golfing again:

• Practice swinging the golf club without actually holding it. Only do the motion so that your body can get used to it again.
• Wear comfortable shoes without spikes, like these New Balance Men’s Minimus SL Waterproof Spikeless Comfort Golf Shoe on Amazon.com. They provide lightweight cushioning, have a rubber sole, and are completely waterproof.
• Make use of golf carts to get around the course.
• Get a caddie to carry your equipment.
• Be careful when bending to place your ball. Don’t put too much weight on the side you had your hip replacement on, and don’t bend at a 90-degree angle.
• Adjust your swing if necessary and play on your toes to avoid stress on your hips.
• Don’t golf when the ground is wet to avoid slipping.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Hip Replacement Surgery?

Being in a hurry to recover after undergoing hip replacement surgery is understandable. You want to get back to your routine and start playing golf again, but you have to be patient.

It can take up to 2 years to fully recover from hip replacement surgery. Light activities can be resumed anytime from 3 to 6 weeks post-surgery. After three months, you should be able to do daily activities without any problems and even start participating in low-impact sports. 

After hip replacement surgery, you need to recover motion and strength, which can take a long time. The tissue around the hip has to heal, so experiencing some pain and stiffness is to be expected.

The bone has to grow into artificial implants, which can take up to 2 years. The muscle, ligaments, and nerves have to heal as well, so you will have to be patient. It is normal to experience muscle weakness around the hip. Following your recovery plan is essential to a faster recovery.

Can I Exercise After Hip Replacement Surgery?

If you are an active person, you might be worried about whether you will be able to play all the sports you enjoyed before surgery. Playing golf is a low-impact sport and a good exercise since it consists of a lot of walking.

You can exercise after hip replacement surgery. Directly after surgery, you will be encouraged to start moving around. The best way to recover quickly and completely from hip replacement surgery is to do the exercises recommended by your physical therapist.

Exercise is vital and plays a crucial role in your recovery. Your physical therapist will help you along the way and change your exercise plan as needed.

Best Exercises To Get You Golfing After Hip Replacement Surgery

There are a lot of exercises that you can do to help speed up your recovery, but there are some that you need to stay away from as well. Walking is probably the easiest and most important exercise you can do as you recover.

Here are some exercises that might help you recover:

• Walking
• Ankle pumps
• Ankle rotations
• Leg raises
• Knee raises
• Hip extensions

Once you are more mobile, you can try incorporating some of these activities into your routine.

• Stair climbing
• Riding a stationary bike
• Swimming (ensure that your wound is fully healed before swimming)

Here is an informative YouTube video showing some exercises that will help you prepare and recover from his replacement surgery.

As you recover, you should gradually increase your physical activity. Once you are fully healed, it is best to stay active. High impact sports should be avoided as you do not want to put any unnecessary stress on your hip joints.

Speak to your surgeon and physical therapist before doing any exercise, as they will be able to give you an exercise plan for your individual needs.

Final Thoughts

Recovering from hip replacement surgery can take a long time. After three months, you should be able to comfortably do low-impact sports such as golf. The muscles, nerves, and bone around your hip have to heal, and full recovery can take up to 2 years.

Physical therapy is essential and can help speed up your recovery. Follow your therapist’s instructions, and you will be golfing again before you know it.