As we age, our bodies inevitably face new challenges, and for athletes, this often includes joint pain, particularly in the hips. 

While surgery is a common route, many famous athletes over 50 have found success in managing and overcoming hip pain without going under the knife. Their stories serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Eddy Merckx, known as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, got hip pain in his later years. He decided to shift his approach. He reduced high-impact training and incorporated yoga and Pilates for flexibility and core strength. "Adjusting my routine was key; it meant I could still enjoy cycling without the pain," Merckx shared in Cycling Weekly. This holistic approach kept him riding without succumbing to surgery​​.

Golf legend Fred Couples has had a long-standing battle with back and hip pain. Instead of surgery, Couples relied on a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and tailored his golf swing and training program "It's about the whole body approach – alignment, movement, all of it," Couples mentioned in an interview with Golf Digest. These changes kept him swinging on the senior golf circuit well into his 50s​​.

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe combated hip issues with a dedicated regime of physiotherapy and strength training. "Every step in a marathon is a reminder of the work put into staying fit without surgery," she stated to Runner's World. This disciplined approach allowed her to manage her hip pain effectively and maintain her running career​​.

These athletes' stories are a testament to the power of alternative treatments and lifestyle adjustments in managing hip pain. 

They demonstrate that surgery is not the only path to pain relief and that with determination, discipline, and the right approach and aids, athletes over 50 can continue to enjoy an amazingly active lifestyle.