Hello everyone,

Looking for some advice/other peoples experiences.

I am 24 and have been training for around 6 years, mainly rugby specific up until 2009 . However over the last 3 years I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (for those that don't know - NASS | National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society | What is AS | Just Diagnosed).

In this short period I had rapid degeneration of both hip joints due to chronic inflammation and infection, causing me to need a total hip replacement in 2009 on the right and the left one in 2010. I was lucky enough to be assigned to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon that works with athletes and young adults needing lower limb arthroplasties and the support and information given to me has been absolutely superb and reassuring when wanting advice on returning to sport and training.

The current restrictions I have (purely for the longevity of the prosthesis) is that I really limit my jogging/running - which I am happy about. When I asked about going back to strength training (squats/deadlift/cleans) I have been told that I can put as much weight through the prosthetic hips as I like provided spot on technique e.g no internal/external rotation at hip when squatting/going past 90-100 degrees hip flexion with high load. It is also not recommended to do lots of high impact/weighted plyometric lower limb work which I am also fine about.

I am looking to start the 5x5 strong lifts, and obviously I am a little apprehensive about getting back squatting with high load - as I have only been squatting 12-15 reps with 97.5kg weight. I am going to experiment with hack squats as I feel this is safer just incase I fail. What are peoples opinion on hack squats, gave them a go with dead lifts and lower back felt it.

Anyway just looking for anyone that has had experience of training clients with hip replacements or are indeed someone who has one themselves.

Cheers guys!