Playing Tennis After a Hip Replacement: 7 Considerations

Executive Summary

• Although most patients begin walking soon after surgery, returning to tennis after a hip replacement usually demands patience, adherence to a physical therapy regimen, and medical guidance.
• Before starting to play tennis again, you should slowly build your strength to condition your body, update your equipment to accommodate your new biomechanics, and, most importantly, get your doctor’s approval.
• Avoid overexertion by starting with low-impact play, modifying your play style as needed, choosing doubles over singles to limit running, and listen to your body.
• It is also important to stay hydrated, prioritize nutrition, and stretch or warm up thoroughly before playing to keep joints lubricated, improve your range of motion, and prevent injuries.

Getting Back on the Court: What to Expect

It is only natural that many recovering patients are interested in getting back to the activities they love, including tennis, after hip replacement surgery. Although the answer as to whether you can play tennis after a hip replacement depends on an individual’s recovery progress, many people can get medical clearance to resume this sport if they are patient and willing to make adaptations to their gameplay.

As proof, a four-time gold ball winner and nationally ranked Masters tennis player from Peachtree, Georgia, named Joe Perdue underwent knee replacement surgery and was able to return to competitive tennis after recovery. This demonstrates that a new joint can serve as a new beginning to a tennis career.

Still, it is crucial to condition your body by practicing joint-safe strengthening exercises and starting with low-impact games to ensure you can play tennis after hip replacement surgery. You may also have to change your equipment and consistently listen to your body to avoid common tennis injuries. Read through the considerations below and contact a qualified joint specialist to facilitate your return to the sport.

Understanding Your Recovery Timeline

Although everyone heals differently, most hip replacement recovery processes can be broken down into phases. Each phase holds key milestones, ranging from walking without support to returning to sports like tennis. Some examples of noteworthy parts of the hip replacement recovery timeline include:

• Day of surgery – Most patients can begin mobilization with assistance shortly after surgery, meaning they can engage in light activities such as sitting up and walking with support.
• First few days post-surgery – Resting and managing discomfort during this stage is essential, considering most patients feel fatigued as their body starts healing.
• First six weeks – During this time, strictly following your medical provider’s aftercare instructions is vital. Focus on wound care, maintaining cleanliness, and gradually increasing physical activity to enhance mobility.
• Six weeks to three months – At this mark, patients typically resume daily activities while practicing light exercises as instructed by healthcare providers.
• Beyond three months – If there has been continued improvement in strength and mobility, patients can return to normal routines and more intense activities like tennis during this stage.

Although many knee-replacement patients can play tennis after three months of recovery, getting medical clearance is contingent upon individual progress.

How Tennis Impacts Your New Hip

Traditional competitive tennis games involve quick lateral movements, pivoting, and abrupt stops—this can stress new prosthetic hip joints and increase the risk of failure. Still, with some adaptations, you may be able to turn tennis into a low-impact sport that promotes joint health. For example, playing on hard courts made of asphalt or concrete can send additional shock to your joints, so you should choose softer playing surfaces like clay or grass to reduce stress and aid your transition back to the game.

7 Key Considerations for Playing Tennis After a Hip Replacement

To guarantee safety, returning to tennis requires a mindful approach. You should keep the following seven considerations in mind.

1. Doctor’s Approval

No one should return to tennis without explicit medical clearance. Before getting cleared, your doctor should evaluate your mobility, strength, and overall healing progress to ensure you can play the sport safely.

2. Strength and Conditioning

During the early recovery stages, you are likely to lose muscle mass. Before playing tennis, it is important to rebuild strength in your legs and core to reinforce your balance and agility. Some examples of exercises that can help prepare your body for the demands of tennis are:

• Resistance training like side steps with resistance bands
• Balance drills, such as single-leg stands
• Endurance workouts like calf raises
• Core strengthening exercises, such as medicine ball twists

3. Modifying Your Play Style

Your new biomechanics may require adaptations to your traditional gameplay. Some examples of movement pattern adjustments you can make to reduce joint stress are:

• Taking shorter, controlled steps instead of abrupt pivots
• Adopting a more fluid play style without aggressive sprints
• Calmly practicing serves and volleys before engaging in full matches

4. Choosing the Right Equipment

In addition to changing how you play, you should consider upgrading the equipment you play with. Purchase more supportive footwear with better shock absorption capabilities to help reduce the pressure that can otherwise impact your new hip joint. To further lessen strain on your joints, you could buy a lightweight racket that is easier to swing and move with, ultimately improving comfort during play.

5. Avoiding Overexertion

Since overexertion can hinder recovery processes, paying close attention to your body’s signals is essential. Take a break if you experience any pain or discomfort while playing tennis. If the problems persist, contact a qualified medical professional as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of future complications.

6. Starting with Low-Impact Play

You should ease into tennis with low-impact play rather than jumping into competitive, physically demanding matches—approaches you can try may include:

• Non-competitively practicing strokes and controlled drills
• Opting for doubles instead of singles to limit excessive movement
• Incorporating warm-up and cooldown routines to mitigate stiffness

As you continue to implement the strategies above, you may be able to gradually increase the intensity of your gameplay over time.

7. Listening to Your Body

Sometimes, your body will send signals indicating you need to slow down, including persistent pain, swelling, or instability. If you notice any of these signs, prioritize your health by stepping back from the sport for as long as you need. Pushing through discomfort may jeopardize your recovery and generate more discomfort and mobility complications.

Practical Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Return

If you implement the right safety protocols, you may still be able to play sports after a joint-related surgery. Some practical tips for playing tennis after a knee replacement or hip replacement are:

• Stretch before playing – Ask your medical provider for tailored warm-up stretches and exercise that can improve flexibility and help prevent injuries.
• Play in groups of four – Playing doubles with a teammate on your side of the court can cut down the need for extensive running, ultimately reducing stress on your hip.
• Stay hydrated and prioritize nutrition – Make sure you drink lots of water to keep your joints lubricated and eat a well-balanced diet without inflammatory foods that cause joint pain to support joint health and muscle recovery.

You should still watch for warning signs even when relying on the safety tips above. As a reminder, you should immediately stop playing and consult your doctor if you experience discomfort, swelling, or instability.

Enjoying the Game Without Compromising Your Health

So, can you play tennis after hip replacement surgery? Yes, with patience, proper conditioning, and trustworthy medical guidance. You should prioritize gradual progression, listen to your body, and modify your gameplay as needed to facilitate your transition back into the sport. Above all else, you should get medical clearance before playing tennis after hip replacement surgery.

If you’re concerned about whether you can play tennis after a hip replacement, consult the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale. We can build a personalized recovery plan that suits your needs and prioritizes your interests. Plus, we offer reliable and efficient hip surgery in Scottsdale. We use state-of-the-art technology like Mako SmartRobotics to make our joint surgeries minimally invasive, allowing patients to recover as fast as possible and get back to the activities they love, which can include tennis.

Schedule an initial consultation for help with your joint-related complications, including guidance on returning to tennis after surgery.