Tour de France Champ Faces Hip Surgery
Tour de France Champ Faces Hip Surgery
Doctors explain why osteonecrosis is leading to hip replacement surgery for cyclist Floyd Landis.
Some doctors say that Landis' new hip may last for many years – even if he continues to compete.
"A hip replacement used to have a life of 15 years or less, before it had to be replaced again, but now they are lasting up to 30 years. So depending on the age when it's done, a patient may never need another surgery," says Bronson.
Urbaniak is slightly more conservative, estimating around a 20- to 25-year lifespan for Landis' new hip, but says it's not so much the years, as what it is you do during that time that matters most.
"The relationship of activity to longevity is more important than age," he says.
But what about an active athlete like Landis? Doctors say that cycling won't put any undue stress on his new hip, so there's no fear of wearing it out too soon.
"If he was a triathelete -- and part of his training was running -- that would be a different story. But cycling does not cause pounding, and it's really only the pounding that has detrimental effects," says Bronson.
So maybe after the next win, Landis will be going to Disney World after all.
Tour de France Champ Faces Hip Surgery
Doctors explain why osteonecrosis is leading to hip replacement surgery for cyclist Floyd Landis.
Long-Lasting Hip Replacements
Some doctors say that Landis' new hip may last for many years – even if he continues to compete.
"A hip replacement used to have a life of 15 years or less, before it had to be replaced again, but now they are lasting up to 30 years. So depending on the age when it's done, a patient may never need another surgery," says Bronson.
Urbaniak is slightly more conservative, estimating around a 20- to 25-year lifespan for Landis' new hip, but says it's not so much the years, as what it is you do during that time that matters most.
"The relationship of activity to longevity is more important than age," he says.
But what about an active athlete like Landis? Doctors say that cycling won't put any undue stress on his new hip, so there's no fear of wearing it out too soon.
"If he was a triathelete -- and part of his training was running -- that would be a different story. But cycling does not cause pounding, and it's really only the pounding that has detrimental effects," says Bronson.
So maybe after the next win, Landis will be going to Disney World after all.
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