Why Swimming Breaststroke After Hip Replacement Might Be Better Than You Think

Imagine gliding through the water like a graceful dolphin, the cool liquid enveloping your body as you effortlessly move forward.

Now imagine being told that you can’t do that anymore because of a hip replacement surgery. As a fellow swimming enthusiast, the thought of not being able to swim breaststroke again is devastating to me.  

But fear not, my fellow swimming nerds, because I’ve done the research and I’m here to tell you that many doctors have changed their tune about whether you can swim breaststroke after hip surgery. 

So grab your goggles and “dive in“ with me as we answer the question “can you swim breaststroke after hip replacement”!

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Table of Contents

• Why Many People Think You Should Avoid Swimming Breaststroke After Hip Replacement
• Can You Swim Breaststroke After Hip Replacement? What The Peer Reviewed Studies Tell Us:
• How to Safely Swim Breaststroke After Hip Replacement
• Alternative Swimming Styles to Consider Post-Surgery
• Conclusion
  • • About the author

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Please do not confuse my personal blog for medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting or altering any training plan. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

**ALWAYS** follow your doctor’s recommendations when it comes to swimming!

Why Many People Think You Should Avoid Swimming Breaststroke After Hip Replacement

Are you thinking about getting a total hip replacement (THR)? Or have you had one in the past? 

If so, did your post-operative instructions suggest that you avoid breaststroke?

It’s a common belief that breaststroke should be avoided after hip replacement surgery. If you’re like me, you might be wondering why a low-impact, non weight-bearing, aerobic exercise like going swimming is off limits. 

So why are people often give the advice to avoid breast stroke? 

It turns out that many healthcare professionals believe (or believed) that breaststroke could place undue stress on the hip joint and lead to a dislocation. However, such misinformation can have negative consequences for patients who might otherwise benefit from swimming breaststroke during their recovery.

Can You Swim Breaststroke After Hip Replacement? What The Peer Reviewed Studies Tell Us:

I was curious about how many swimmers dislocated THR following swimming breaststroke. So I did some searches in the medical literature on Google Scholar. 

I found the most useful information in the paper “Swimming Breaststroke After Total Hip Replacement: Are We Sending the Correct Message?” by Singh et al. They interviewed general health care professionals and they also interviewed surgeons who perform hip and knee replacement surgeries.

They found that only 18% of general practice doctors would advise patients it is okay to swimbreaststroke following hip replacement surgery. However, 100% of hip orthopedic consultants approved swimming breast stroke following surgery.

They also found that no health care professional had every observed a hip dislocation from swimming after surgery. 

My takeaway: If your doctor tells you that you can’t swim breaststroke after a total hip replacement, share this article with them and see what they say! 

How to Safely Swim Breaststroke After Hip Replacement

Let’s say you talked to your doctor and they gave you the okay to carry out low-impact activities like swimming after hip surgery. You might want to start with a stroke that puts less stress on your hips, like backstroke. 

But if you have medical clearance and are considering swimming breaststroke after hip replacement surgery, you might want to take some precautions:

1. Gradually reintroduce breaststroke into your routine: Start slow and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your swimming sessions.
2. Be mindful of your body: Pay close attention to any discomfort or pain and adjust your swimming technique accordingly.

Alternative Swimming Styles to Consider Post-Surgery

Breaststroke isn’t the only swimming style you can consider after hip replacement surgery. Other strokes, such as freestyle and backstroke, can also provide excellent low-impact exercise options. When choosing the right swimming style, consider factors such as your personal preferences, swimming ability, and any restrictions imposed by your healthcare provider.

Conclusion

The surprising truth is that swimming breaststroke after hip replacement surgery can offer several benefits, including low joint forces and a reduced risk of complications. However, it’s essential to consult with your medical team before making any decisions regarding your recovery plan.