Gable Recovering from Hip Surgery

Gable recovering from hip surgery

By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen

At 56, Dan Gable is built differently than a lot of people his age.

He pushed his body to its limits for years of training. He still works out religiously and wrestles with athletes less than half his age.

It’s no wonder the former Iowa wrestling coach has already undergone two hip replacement surgeries and has worn out some of the parts from the initial operation on his left hip.

Gable is recovering from the latest surgery performed last Thursday on his left hip.

“The bones were having some decay and they put in a couple replacement parts, “he said. “It’s not as traumatic as when you have total hip replacement, but certainly the recovery time is just as much, if not even more.

“There’s probably higher risks of things that could go wrong every time you go in. I have to be a little careful, but I did learn if I can stay out of the hospital, I better stay out.”

Another trip to the hospital could be inevitable, however. Gable, who will likely be on crutches for the next month, said doctors are monitoring the condition of the right hip he had replaced in 1998. He said it will eventually need a similar operation.

Gable’s body absorbed decades of wear and tear as he built his legend in the sport. He went undefeated through high school at Waterloo West and never lost a collegiate match until his final bout at Iowa State. He won an Olympic freestyle gold medal without allowing a point in 1972.

As a coach he won 15 NCAA titles in 21 seasons at Iowa and never failed to win a Big Ten title with the Hawkeyes. He retired following the 1997 season that ended with Iowa scoring an NCAA-record 170 points.

Midway through his final season, Gable underwent surgery to replace his left hip.

“Usually, they last longer, “he said. “Most of the hip is in fine shape, it’s just that some of the plastic liner was worn and causing the bone to decay. They replaced the liner and patched the bones. They’ll probably do the same to the other side because if you don’t have good bone structure you really have no ability to have artificial hips.”