Discussion: Hip Replacement or Resurfacing

So, are there any success stories of orienteering after a hip replacement or hip resurfacing? I am being told that running after a hip replacement is "not allowed" while running after resurfacing is only "not recommended".

I am also willing to hear failure stories.

I am fairly sure I know a number of people running after a replacment... Not sure if they are meant to be or not. No running alowed for my Mums ankle replacment but she is very happy she can walk around a good technical course.

Any kind of resurfacing, where foreign bodies are not introduced, would be preferred. Hip replacement hardware can carry infectious bacteria which cannot be attacked by the immune system.

If you do go for replacement, make sure that the doctor has hundreds of successful implants behind him (her), so that opportunities for introducing infectious bacteria are minimized.

My friend had a hip replacement a couple years ago at 37yo and she runs just fine . . . .

A 40-something friend of mine went in for surgery, and the deal was that the doc would do the resurfacing if his hip was good enough, otherwise he'd do a full replacement. My friend didn't find out until he woke up. (Total replacement, as it turned out.) The resurfacing is preferable for an athlete but it depends on the condition of the hip.

Robyn Benincasa, one of the most successful U.S. adventure racers, has had both hip resurfacing and hip replacement surgeries. Her story is not all good news but it has turned out well for her in the long run, and she remains very athletic.
http://spryliving.com/articles/joint-resolution/

My left hip was resurfaced in 2009 and I returned to orienteering the following year. Am now running regularly, best in years. Recommend this op to anyone.