Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist or just looking for a low-impact way to stay active, you may wonder when you can start riding a bike after a hip replacement.
During hip replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged parts of your hip joint and replaces them with parts usually made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. This prosthetic (artificial) joint helps reduce pain and improve function, according to Mayo Clinic.
In fact, exercise immediately following hip replacement surgery is vital for recovery, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). However, it will likely take you a while before you can safely and comfortably get back on a bicycle.
How long it takes depends on many factors, including your age, overall health and fitness level, and the specific type of hip surgery you had.
A study that included 1,029 joint surgery patients found that most of them were able to resume biking after three to six months, with 42 percent able to return fewer than three months after surgery.
Since everyone’s recovery is different, you’ll need to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about when it’s safe for you to get on a bike.
Rehab After a Hip Replacement
Rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery is a gradual process. According to the AAOS, you begin with some strengthening exercises, such as ankle pumps, ankle rotations, and glute contractions, as soon as the day after your replacement to prevent muscle atrophy and promote circulation.
Next, you move to standing exercises, like knee raises, hip abductions, and hip extensions. It’s best not to begin cycling until you’ve accomplished mobility exercises, such as walking and leg lifts.
Choose the Right Bike After a Total Hip Replacement
There are three main types of bikes people most commonly use for exercise: a stationary recumbent bike, an upright stationary bike, or an outdoor bike.
If you feel any hip pain while on your stationary bike, regardless of the amount of time you’ve been pedaling, stop immediately.
Stationary Recumbent Bike
A stationary recumbent bike has a wider seat than an upright cycle as well as a backrest, according to the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). This provides additional comfort for people who are recovering from joint surgery.
The pedals are positioned in front of the body, making for a more stable ride and preventing your new hip joint from bending or twisting.
The seat should be positioned far back from the front of the bike, allowing your legs to extend fully.
Set the bike for backward pedaling to warm up. Once that feels comfortable, you can switch to forward pedaling. You may only be able to cycle for 5 to 10 minutes at a time in the early stages of physical therapy.
You can adjust the length of riding time and level of resistance as your therapy continues.
Upright Stationary Bike
If you don’t have access to a recumbent stationary bike, an upright stationary bike is still a great option, as long as your physical therapist gives you the green light.
Here are a few tips from the AAOS for using an upright stationary bike after a hip replacement:
- Raise the seat of your stationary bike to a level at which your foot rests on the pedal when your knee is almost completely straight. Cycling helps you regain mobility in your hip, but keeping the seat too low might cause you to dangerously overflex your hip joint during the recovery period.
- Pedal backward to minimize the pressure you put on your hips when you first start to cycle as part of your rehab.
- Progress to forward cycling once your doctor or physical therapist says it’s safe to do so. Increase both your cycling time and the resistance level of your cycling as you recover. After four to six weeks, you can increase your biking time to about 30 minutes at least three times weekly.
Outdoor Bike
Your doctor or physical therapist can advise you on when it’s safe to transition to an outdoor bike.
