Unfortunately,
there is no simple answer to whether you should return to running after a hip
replacement.
The
lifespan of artificial joints is directly related to weight it bears and how
long it must bear it. Therefore, concussive activities, including jogging and
running, theoretically reduce the joint’s lifespan more than low-impact
activities like spinning, swimming, or walking.
However,
a 2014
study that included 23 adults who went back to running post-hip replacement
revealed no degradation of the artificial joints and no participant reported pain
from their activities within five years. Evidence is mixed regarding how
prostheses behave in real life compared to in a lab, and this study is one
example. It is important to note though that this study had few participants
and was not longitudinal.
Also
in 2014, researchers
reviewed studies related to hip replacements and various sports, including
running. They found that occasionally these activities resulted in fractures,
dislocations, the prosthesis loosening, or metal fragments being scrapped off
and scattered in the body. But there is little evidence running after a hip
replacement will result in these situations.
If
you have had a hip replacement, speak frankly with your surgeon and with your
physical therapist before beginning or returning to a running routine.
Be
sure to ease back into running, and do not do so until you have regained full
range of motion and full strength in the muscles around your hips. This can
lessen your chances of joint issues in the future. Your physical therapist will
be very helpful in these areas.