Hip hip hooray, I'm back in the saddle!

[Lilykoi]

Week six of my new hip replacement and I am back in the tack with my doctor's blessing. Felt oh so good to be on my trusty mare again.
Only stipulation was to get on and off from the right. (Had my left hip done)
No problem for any of the horses I train. Felt great to ride and be able to
enjoy this glorious summer we are having in the midwest. Just in time, too.
All my super little helpers are going back to school.
Anybody thinking of having their hip fixed, do it! In this case, lot's to gain and no pain:D

[Wraper2]

Congratulations!!

My back and I are still playing maybe yes/maybe no on weather I'll be riding again or not.

[MistyBlue]

Hey great news! Congrats!

[Bank of Dad]

So great to hear about this. I am scheduled for Dec. 2. (Can't give up good fall riding!, although it hurts after 2 hours.) It actually hurts more riding than any other time. I am supposed to have this new anterior approach method, less cutting , less invasive.

Please let me know your details, or PM me, cause I am really worried about riding after, as in, can I still ride long hours, distances, will my legs be equal length?

[Ambrey]

That is SO wonderful! When they have spine replacement surgery, I'll be so there ;)

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

congrats!!

[horse-loverz]

Congrats.. Now you are the bionic rider :)

[mtngirl]

Congratulations! Since you are back in the saddle so quickly I'll hazard a guess that your's was an "anterior" procedure?

Isn't it a great feeling to be able to get back on and ride without the pain! Riding just takes on a brand new meaning/feeling doesn't it? :D

I had my right hip replaced 9 months ago (posterior procedure - which in more invasive) and wished I'd had it done three years ago.

Bank of Dad: FWIW...I'm riding better now than before and haven't found that the amount of distance or time has made any difference. I actually wound up lengthening my stirrups by three holes after my surgery (I hadn't realized my muscles had atrophied that much! :eek: ). PM me if you'd like more info. Talking with other riders really does help.

[Bluey]

Congratulations!
That six weeks after surgery seems like a very fast recovery, good for you.:cool:

I am going to see about surgery on my shoulder next week.
Although not as intrusive as hip surgery, as far as what you can do, it is very touchy, as if I do something with a horse that pulls at the arm before it is well healed, it can tear out again.:no:

Neat to feel able again, is it.:)

[Lilykoi]

So great to hear about this. I am scheduled for Dec. 2. (Can't give up good fall riding!, although it hurts after 2 hours.) It actually hurts more riding than any other time. I am supposed to have this new anterior approach method, less cutting , less invasive.

Please let me know your details, or PM me, cause I am really worried about riding after, as in, can I still ride long hours, distances, will my legs be equal length?

I rode longer today and still felt fine. I wished I could have put mine off, but that wasn't going to work. I was in pretty bad shape. I did train really hard though, I wanted to be as fit as possible and it paid off for me. Both legs are the same length. It was a minimally invasive surgery, incision is only 4". It was glued instead of stitched or stapled. I was swimming by three weeks, lost the cane at four weeks, and riding by six.
I left the hospital with a cane and went directly home, did not do the rehab like most everyone else. Walked up 18 stairs when I got home. I won't say the six weeks went by fast, but it went by far easier than I ever thought.
If I have any advice it would be to cut short the PT at home and go to outpatient as soon as you can. You get way more out of it.
As for the surgery, you will be pain free right away. They got me up the next morning and it was easy. Kept getting easier each day. Good luck to you and feel free to PM any other questions. Worse thing is just not knowing what to expect. I can fill you in on some basic exercises that you can do to help prepare your muscles.
Bluey, shoulder surgery is a lot more tricky. More moving parts. Good luck to you too!

[Bluey]

I find it very interesting that you can ride so quickly.
Those I have known with hip replacement surgeries took considerably longer to walk well, some were on walkers for long time.

It is so nice that we have a place to ask about these things and read how others do, because some day, we may too be there.:eek:

On the average, I think that people that have been active around horses are generally much stronger and healthier than most other people, even if we do get some injuries at times directly from the horse life.;)

It is nice to have a good, dependable horse to get back on, is it.:cool:

[yankeeclipper]

Congratulations. Please send some of those magical healing powers east. Mystery hip / lower back pain going on 3 months. Finally have doctors appointment next week. Yea!!

[Lilykoi]

I find it very interesting that you can ride so quickly.
Those I have known with hip replacement surgeries took considerably longer to walk well, some were on walkers for long time.

It is so nice that we have a place to ask about these things and read how others do, because some day, we may too be there.:eek:

On the average, I think that people that have been active around horses are generally much stronger and healthier than most other people, even if we do get some injuries at times directly from the horse life.;)

It is nice to have a good, dependable horse to get back on, is it.:cool:

I was surprised he let me on so fast also. I think because I was doing so well made his decision. I think most people quit working out and being active when their hip gets so painful. I won't kid you, I got progressively worse very quickly in the past year. But I didn't quit riding or working out at the gym. Again, tough, and people would stare at me limp across the gym floor, but I never quit. I do believe it made the difference. I don't think I am average, so
you may be different in your recovery. Heck, you might be on sooner than me! But I'm happy I did it. I walk a little stiff yet, muscles still learning that they don't have to limp anymore. But everyday is better. I'll let you know how I am in another 6 weeks:cool:

[Zu Zu]

Congratulations !! I was SO HAPPY the first time I rode my mare after my left hip replacement surgery ~ I cried !!!! and then screamed and hollered for PURE JOY !!~!!!

[Lilykoi]

ZuZu I know that feeling!!!