On May 13, 2026, at 51 years old, I had a total hip replacement.
If you had asked me a few years ago if I'd ever have a joint replaced, I probably would have laughed and said, "Not anytime soon." As a CrossFit coach, gym owner, and lifelong believer in staying active, surgery wasn't something I wanted to think about. But looking back now, I realize my hip had been trying to tell me something for a very long time.
The truth is, this story didn't begin in 2026. It probably started over 20 years ago.
Throughout my 30s, my right hip was always tight. My mobility on that side was noticeably worse than my left, but it never caused enough pain for me to seek treatment. I simply assumed it was how my body was built. I worked around it, stretched a little more, and kept moving.
Then, in 2019, everything changed.
I tore my meniscus and was dealing with significant knee pain. At the same time, my hip started hurting more. Naturally, I assumed the hip pain was related to my knee injury. Once my knee was repaired, I expected everything else to settle down.
It didn't.
Later that year, I went back to my orthopedic doctor because the hip pain wasn't improving. Imaging revealed something I wasn't expecting—significant arthritis in my right hip and early arthritis in my left.
At that point, surgery wasn't on my radar.
Instead, we chose conservative treatment. Cortisone injections became part of my routine and helped manage the pain well enough that I could continue coaching, working out, and living life. A few years later, I tried PRP injections, and they made an even bigger difference. Those treatments bought me something incredibly valuable: time.
For nearly six years, they allowed me to stay active and delay surgery.
But slowly, things began to change.
The injections weren't lasting as long. The pain was becoming more consistent. Sleep became difficult because I couldn't get comfortable. My workouts started revolving around what my hip would tolerate instead of what I wanted to accomplish. Everyday activities that most people don't think twice about became frustrating.
I found myself making more and more adjustments just to get through the day.
Late in 2025, I finally accepted what I had been trying to avoid. It was time.
We scheduled my hip replacement for May 13, 2026.
One thing I hadn't fully considered was that I couldn't receive a cortisone injection during the three months leading up to surgery. As those months passed, I realized just how much those injections had been masking my pain. Looking back, I think I had gradually accepted a level of discomfort that wasn't normal.
It became clear that I wasn't simply managing arthritis anymore—I was surviving it.
Making the decision to have a hip replacement wasn't easy. It felt scary. I worried about recovery. I worried about coaching. I worried about losing strength and conditioning. I wondered if I'd ever move the same way again.
But I also knew something else.
I didn't want my world to keep getting smaller because of pain.
I wanted to coach without constantly shifting my weight. I wanted to sleep through the night. I wanted to move because I loved it—not because I was forcing myself through it.
So on May 13, I took the first step toward getting my life back.
This blog series is my way of documenting that journey. Although I'm already six weeks into recovery as I write this, I'm going back to the beginning and sharing each week honestly—the highs, the setbacks, the victories, and everything in between.
If you're facing hip surgery, recovering from one, or simply wondering if it's time to have that difficult conversation with your doctor, I hope my story helps you feel a little less alone.
Recovery is a process, and this is where mine begins.
Thanks for reading!
I'll be sharing another chapter of my recovery each week—from those first uncertain steps to eventually returning to CrossFit.
If you're recovering from surgery, dealing with an injury, or simply looking for support on your own health journey, I'd love to connect.
🏋️ Learn more about CrossFit 4042: www.crossfit4042.com
💚 Follow along for weekly recovery updates: Facebook & Instagram @CrossFit4042
📩 Have questions or want to share your own recovery story? Send me a message—I'd love to hear from you.
Next Week: Surgery day, those first 72 hours, what surprised me most, and the things no one really prepared me for.
About the Author
Amy Locklear is the owner of CrossFit 4042 and a CrossFit and nutrition coach passionate about helping people build strength, improve their health, and live active lives. After undergoing a total hip replacement at age 51, she's documenting her recovery to encourage others facing surgery, injury, or setbacks to keep moving forward—one step at a time.
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