Fear of Riding with a Herniated Disc & Sciatica ~

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Hi there! Looking for some advise/help! I have a herniated disc - L5/S1 with a bone spur and sciatica. I have done steroid injections and they help somewhat. My doctor feels that I should have a microdiscectomy done. (where they remove the herniation of the disc) I have spoken with people who have had this procedure done and there are mixed results. Others say go for it and other say avoid it at all costs. Apparently lower disc herniations are quite common in us horsefolk.

This has been going on for about 10 months. Here is my dilemma. I show on the arab class A show circuit in Hunt on the flat. I am afraid to ride my horses! I dont know if its afraid to ride my horses as I am afraid of the pain from the sciatica from riding. If anyone out there has this, you know the pain can be excruiating! My Doc says I shouldnt ride, but if its something I must do, then be extremely careful. I didnt show this year at all. If I do want to ride, I stretch and Advil is my friend, but doesnt completely relieve the pain. I ice afterwards.

Has anyone out there gone thru this and if so, what have you done to make riding tolerable? I am thinking posting is out of the question. Sitting the trot is no good either. I was thinking I could sell my arabs and get a gaited horse. But I love my Arabs! I have fear of falling off and hurting my back worse, so have been avoiding riding which is something I love!

Different stirrups, back supports? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[birdsong]

I feel your pain...every day.
I too had a totally ruptured L5/S1 which the pain mgmt Dr milked for a year. I was a business owner and yet spent 80% of my time in the bed. Went through all of the blocks and injections, physical therapy....you name it. Finally when my leg grew numb from the knee down he quickly referred me to his buddy the Orthopedic surgeon. That guy had the worse mannerism I have ever seen!! He sarcastically informed me that he would do the surgery but that it wasn't necessary! This after all the MRI's and nerve damaged leg even.
I crawled out of there...embarrassed..thinking I was a wimp and faced losing everything because I could not walk.
I heard of a wonderful neurosurgeon that I managed to get an appt with who immediately did the surgery the next day...with apologies for the unknown Dr's who didn't help me sooner. It was a simple procedure.

It was amazing! I was finally pain free as soon as I woke up! Unfortunately I had to have it repeated two more times (which is not at all common so don't worry) I believe it was from doing too much too soon afterwards..I was really feeling THAT good.

You will never be the same as you were before..just understand that. Your body has been damaged and your goal should be to be the best you can be ..everyone is different. When you put it into perspective you will know that its better than the alternative which is never ending horrid debilitating pain.

I live with sciatica every day and after any type of lifting (feed etc) I can have increased discomfort. Scar tissue will likely form and that presses on the nerve. I have learned to live with it always in the background...but still so much better than before!

I have to understand that I am blessed to be able to continue to ride at all! I do have to compensate...no sitting trots and I ride with caution to avoid accidents. I also sit more forward at a canter to stay off my spine.

I will eventually get a gaited horse myself...maybe a MFT..but not yet.

Now, don't let anyone tell you that pt will solve the problem because it won't! In this area he had to drill through bone to access the disc and nerve. So all the time was wasted with the pt.

Back surgery in my case was easy and really not painful at all. Living without it was Hell!

Oh yes...find a good Neuro too. Sorry if this was too much information.

[WaningMoon]

That is one of the three discs I have herniated as well. The fourth one is almost gone due to degenerative disc disease. I was also told to not bother with PT. But I have also been found to not be a surgical candidate due to severe spinal stenosis. I have a horrid time with sciatica and have had since 1979. I deal with it. I have no choice but to take some serious painkillers. Long gone are the days when oxycodone and hydrocodone helped at all.

I was told to never ride again. I listened for 12 yrs. Last yr I got my untrained mare out and started. And I've never looked back, well worth any extra pain. Finally I had something to be happy about again.Some days I have no feeling or very little feeling in my right leg, those days I don't ride. Numbness is permanent for me, the degree of it varies day to day.

I do though have a couple things I do against a wall that help me a lot with pain and sciatica. And the chiro has always been able to stop the excruciating sciatica, but there is always some present, but it is dealable. I can't stand the ride to the chiro very well at all.. It is over an hour away so I generally stick with my legs bent and heels to the wall.

Leaning off your spine does for sure help while riding. I never thought I would be able to trot either but I do know. It does increase the sciatica for sure though and I think it also makes the numbness and lose of feeling worse.

Just wanted to add that after trying many different saddles I found the dressage saddle to be super comfortable comparitively. And to ride with LONG stirrups. This helps me tremendously. I sat in several saddles where the sciatic nerve pain down my right leg became immediately excruciating. So if one saddle doesn't work for you , try another.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Wow. I have been incredibly lucky. I blew out L5/S1 thanks to a moronic ortho who told me "not to worry my little head about" my knee issues - I have a permanently subluxated left kneecap (a different ortho screwed that one up), I had reinjured, and I blew out the disc from compensating in trying to keep walking normally.

It took 8 months, but I did return to almost normal, so the vertebrae fused on their own. They wanted to delay the surgery, I couldn't sit at all, just lie down or stand (with constant pain). So, I am one of the very fortunate ones.

i have known people who did have the surgery done and they were very pleased with the results. But please, make sure you trust your ortho.

[Ozone]

Oh LTK - Sorry your going through this. You are not alone. I have a right side siaticca issue, spinabifida oculta and back in 2000 I fell off my horse and rupturerd my lower L's. I never took any time off riding but I did go and find a horse that would be easy on my back. (Which I was planning on doing before I fell off) I rarely sat the trot and made many, many trips to the chiropractor.

Today I stretch alot before riding, I still visit the chiropractor alot, I wear a back brace when I ride, I use Herm Sprenger 4-way irons which I believe have helped alot with impaction. Don't sell your Arabs, don't quit riding - as much as it hurts sometimes just take a few days off and ride when your feeling better. You will be misarable without theM!

[pintopiaffe]

Mine are in different areas, so what works for me might not work for you...

Mine are c4, and T 8/9, 9/10, 10/11

My sciatica when riding can and is COMPLETELY RELIEVED with the right saddle. Now, finding that saddle? Took a very, very long time.

First I had the Fhoenix. It was the first saddle in about five years that both His Princeness and the Pea horse *and I* could tolerate. We progressed more in 18 mos than we had in his lifetime. Unfortunatley, we progressed SO much that he put on so much topline that I could no longer tolerate the width of the Fhoenix (it's treeless--so as wide as the horse, basically)

Eventually I found out that I could ride in an Ancient Passier without sciatica. Thankfully, His Princeness approves. I tried many, many in between. Some worked for a half hour, some my leg was painful/numb almost immediately. some even worked for longer--but for something like a lesson I'd go numb. The Ancient Passier works.

To the point I've become a collector of them when I can, as the tree can be adjusted for different critters. I'm crying because there's another one on Ebay right now that's my size, that would be for the last horse who needs a saddle still... but there's no fundage. :(

Anyway, my point is, the right saddle can make a GINORMOUS difference, but FINDING it really is like the Princess & the Pea. You not only have to sit in, but to RIDE IN different ones, ON THE HORSE you ride most. (I can ride in the Fhoenix on most OTHER horses... just not on MINE. )

I think fear of pain is really normal and in fact, healthy. It's our brain's way of making sure it's 'carrier' if you will, stays alive and well!

[blackpondarabians]

I was thinking that at 56 I was finally really losing my nerve. I was a part time jockey and full time exercise rider for about 15 years during the 70's and 80's. Took a 20 year break and decide to get arabs and get into endurance riding. Well I miscalulated how long it would take my husband to get up to speed.

But then finally this year he was going good but when winter broke here in MA my back kept limiting my riding to 2 hours and that was with getting off 4 or 5 times to stretch the pinch out of my low back between my hip and L-4. Denial is not a river! L-5 is compressed as is a mid back one I forget the #.

My chiropracter has been listening to my complaints all year and finally after I came in and was upset she suggested x-rays. Duh. So what does pain have to do with fear? Everything! I finally got an arab trainer over to help me with my new horse who has been challenging me during ground work. Normally I would not have missed a beat and given him some alpha mare attitute but when he pinned his ears on the change direction at the canter- or roll back- and acted like he wanted to come and bite and trample me I had major adrenaline rush and couldn't wait to finish the exercise and get out of that ring with him! Enter my arab trainer. She says #1 Bey Shah arabs have extra attitude and he'll get over it. #2 she has never seen me this way. #3 She has known 2 women who were pregnant and didn'tn know it untill later who experienced an unusual fear reaction and were not wanting to ride.
Phew! Was glad to hear that.

This forum has given me hope. Especially the ebook I heard about on the Chronicle forum. It's called applied-posture-riding. Wow. Check it out.

Also doing some good stuff with my pt person. I work at Curves and have lots of opportunity to talk bad backs with the many nurses who come to stay in shape. It is a mixed bag on surgery. but I have heard no one say it is a really good thing.

A cool thing tho for folks with sciatica which I have had on and off- Is the foam roller. I also use a soft 55 cm ball to lay my upper body over while I roll back and forth with my leg on the foam roller.

I too started checking out gaited horses. I think the rocky mountian horses are cool. There is even a new organization starting up for endurance gaited horses. But I love my arabs!

Phew- sorry this was so long. I just had to jump in.

Christie:D

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your experiences and input! Its awesome! :)

Birdsong ~ My heart just went out to you when you told about that orthopedic surgeon telling you that you didnt need the surgery. You must just have felt awful :cry:

When you all ride, do you fear falling off and hurting your back worse? I think that is my greatest fear. I still ride my 22 year old retired arab mare as she is the only one I completely trust. Well, I should say she is the only one I will ride if I can get up my courage to do so. I have had her for 18 years and we know each other very well. Many years of fun together. I wonder what would happen if she tripped and went down and I went off. The pain of the sciatica scares me to death! I remember when I first had the sciatica, I couldnt even get out of bed. Rolling over was impossible. My husband tried to help me up out of bed and all it did was make the pain worse. When I did get up the pain would be so bad that I felt like I would pass out. I've done the Vicoden and Oxy and those do nothing for me. Its like taking nothing. Also done the chiropractor. It helps loosen muscles, but thats about it. In the next week or so I'm going to get another cortisteroid injection in my back. They help somewhat. Take the edge off of the pain.

Right now the pain is limited to when I just get up in the morning and I can easily get up ok. Stiff and a little painful. Then I pop my 800 mg. ibuprofen and an hour later the pain is gone. If I lift things like water buckets I can feel it and know I have to be more careful. I havent lifted my western saddle at all. I know it will do me in. Hunt saddle is ok. I have an all purpose Wintec hunt saddle that is really comfortable. I haven't ridden in 9 months. Sometimes I think I should just sell my new show horse and my gelding who is a pasture pet and get a driving horse. That way I dont have to worry about falling off or get into mini's. So depressing sometimes....I don't want a pity party. I guess that is why I am posting to see how other people have dealt with the physical and emotional part of not riding or riding thru the pain.

How do the Herm Sprenger irons work? Are they like on a spring mechanism or something like that? Have any of you tried the MDC's? How about one of the eventers vests? I believe they cover a good part of your back??? I feel like I want to wear Kevlar to ride! LOL! I ride with a helmet of course.

Thank you all so much for sharing. It has helped greatly! LTK

[fivehorses]

I herniated L4 and L5 and also was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Sciatica was also excruciating.
I went for an epidural while waiting for surgery, which was not something I was too keen on having done.
I kept postponing surgery, and mostly laid flat on my back as much as I could.

Anyhow, instead of getting the epidural, I convinced the physiatrist(pain and nerve doc) to do accupuncture. He was known for it, but not doing it so much as the insurance companies did not compensate.
Long story, but after 3 months plus, I awoke one morning, not as stiff and less pain. Things only improved.
The ortho surgeon could not believe it(they were in the same practice).
So, try accupuncture.

As explained to me, I still had herniated discs, just the nerves were reprogrammed not to send me pain signals. That was over 7 years ago. I am still very careful with my back, and because of the spinal stenosis, I am even more careful about twisting and picking things up.

If ever in pain again, I would seriously seek out a good and qualified accupuncturist before surgery.

[WaningMoon]

Mine are in different areas, so what works for me might not work for you...

Mine are c4, and T 8/9, 9/10, 10/11

My sciatica when riding can and is COMPLETELY RELIEVED with the right saddle. Now, finding that saddle? Took a very, very long time.

First I had the Fhoenix. It was the first saddle in about five years that both His Princeness and the Pea horse *and I* could tolerate. We progressed more in 18 mos than we had in his lifetime. Unfortunatley, we progressed SO much that he put on so much topline that I could no longer tolerate the width of the Fhoenix (it's treeless--so as wide as the horse, basically)

Eventually I found out that I could ride in an Ancient Passier without sciatica. Thankfully, His Princeness approves. I tried many, many in between. Some worked for a half hour, some my leg was painful/numb almost immediately. some even worked for longer--but for something like a lesson I'd go numb. The Ancient Passier works.

To the point I've become a collector of them when I can, as the tree can be adjusted for different critters. I'm crying because there's another one on Ebay right now that's my size, that would be for the last horse who needs a saddle still... but there's no fundage. :(

Anyway, my point is, the right saddle can make a GINORMOUS difference, but FINDING it really is like the Princess & the Pea. You not only have to sit in, but to RIDE IN different ones, ON THE HORSE you ride most. (I can ride in the Fhoenix on most OTHER horses... just not on MINE. )

I think fear of pain is really normal and in fact, healthy. It's our brain's way of making sure it's 'carrier' if you will, stays alive and well!

I completely agree with just the right saddle for the situation making a lot of difference. I am wondering if since you last had an MRI if your lumbar spine could also have become involved. Im just wondering because you mention sciatica and the sciatic nerve runs through L4-L5. Or at least any info/doctors I've ever read about/talked with seem to say this. Not a good feeling is it? I have cervical spine issues too, but rarely, rarely have any issue with those so I just put those out of my mind, its enough to deal with the L's to S1.

[Ozone]

I too went through many saddle before I found one that would fit my back! It would be silly to say anywhere else but this thread undersands "fitting my back" for a saddle :)

Lovethose - YES, I fear of falling off and hurting myself more - or permanetly! I only ride my horse now. I used to hop of anyone's horse crazy - lazy or what have you. These days I ride only my noble steed (who is no plug) but he is predictable.

Back problems scare the life out of you. I could not imagine not riding...

[WaningMoon]

I too went through many saddle before I found one that would fit my back! It would be silly to say anywhere else but this thread undersands "fitting my back" for a saddle :)

Lovethose - YES, I fear of falling off and hurting myself more - or permanetly! I only ride my horse now. I used to hop of anyone's horse crazy - lazy or what have you. These days I ride only my noble steed (who is no plug) but he is predictable.

Back problems scare the life out of you. I could not imagine not riding...

Boy, you know, there was a time when not riding was something I couldn't possibly imagine being a reality in my life either. But it sure hit hard when it did. Although as yet undiagnosed throughout the late 70's-80's, the doctors still said I should likely give up riding. When I was finally diagnosed they were adamant about it. At that point a disc, that has now degenerated almost completely, (causes much less pain) was just ruling my life. The pain was so intense I could not gather my thoughts or think. I could not concentrate enough to even read. It got to the point where I did stop, no longer did I argue the case, I could barely stand to continue living for the excruciating pain. But the decision to quit was still just devastating, it was so very important to me.

My horses and other animals too, have always been my entire life. It really felt like I had a big hole in life, not riding, that's for sure. I am sure glad I have now remedied it. They tell me that I will hasten the yrs I have left where I'll be able to walk because of it. But there is no way I'd rather spend them. At least now, on days where I CAN ride, I have a big smile on my face that lasts all day long, even if I can only stand to ride for a half hour some days or less even sometimes. Other times I manage a couple hours and then Im just ecstatic.

But yup, to IMAGINE not riding, was an impossibility. When it became a reality, it was completely devastating. But when I decided to do what I thought best for ME, that feeling is indescribable. So great it even helps in diminishing the unsurmountable despair of having stopped riding. And that burdensome feeling still resides on my shoulder, waiting it's chance to return.

I wished I would have had a reliable noble steed as you say, to return to. I had an unflappable Canadian X mare though just begging to be trained and ridden, she was what I had to work with, and we are doing fine. I just love that girl so much, just as I did her mom, and her mom. We're a team for sure.

I couldn't be happier with my decision to return to riding. My doctor quit seeing me but Ive found another easily enough. He said he had a waiting list of ppl who wanted to take and follow his advice and it wasn't fair to them for him to continue seeing patients who did not wish to. I find this to be very wrong, but lots of things are, you learn to deal. I wish you much luck, it isn't fun is it? I think the best we can do is to just keep fighting no matter what, and hope for the best. What else can we do? We can't give up.

[sayyadina]

I have a slightly different injury, L5 is fractured in 2 places, but I have sciatica issues too.

Having the right saddle & stirrups is extremely important. The only saddle I can sit in at all is my Vogue. I also have a backsaver pad, and Ultra ThinLine, which help with shock absorption. I can't use any kneeblocks at all, since it hurts too much, so I took mine out. I also have the HS Bow Balance stirrups. I'm not entirely sure how they work. All I know is that they're the only stirrups that don't cause pain for me.

With my injury, I can't do any sitting trot anymore or canter, since it aggravates my back too much. Even on my super smooth little Welara. When I do ride, I'm usually quite happy to just walk.

I do worry about falling off, though I have fallen several times since I hurt my back, and my back didn't get worse. I had a back support from Professional's Choice, but it rides up and doesn't help. I also have a body protector that I will wear from time to time.

I also have a messed up ankle & knee, which makes things a bit interesting. Can't have my stirrups too short, or my knee will lock up & I won't be able to walk when I get off. And I can't pick up my right stirrup without leaning over & using my hand to put my foot in it.

Now that my Haflinger is retired, I've had to work on making my Welara into a steadier, more bombproof horse. And its worked out quite nicely. Though if I ever feel nervous about riding her, I won't, and we'll just do stuff on the ground.

And my back injury & ankle injury were from falling. My Haflinger got too exited when we were cantering and let out a huge buck, and I went flying and landed on my left side. Then a few years later, my Welara spooked and I ended up getting run over, with her stepping on my ankle.

For me, arnica & traumeel (homeopathic & ointment) help a LOT. And so do hot baths and a magnetic back support and ankle support.

I'm going to be 26 this year, and there are days when I feel like I'm 96, with how achy my back & ankle can be.

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Thanks again for your input! =) Am going today for a injection in my back after work. Fortunately, these do help me but I know are only a temporary fix. Possibly after the first of the year I will go to a neurologist and get the microdiscectomy down. I really am getting tired of the pain...I'm sure you all can relate. I just hope I will be one of the lucky ones that doesnt have too many problems after. I have found many people and friends that I work with that have L5/S1 problems. They just dont have the sciatica along with it.

I don't want to give up riding and I won't. Have decided I'll give this injection a few days to work then get old my old mare and go for a ride. Even if we walk, I am ok with that. Posting is what really bothers me. I am thinking of a western horse where their trots and nice and slow and easy. I don't have to much problem with the canter if the horse is comfortable.

Have any of you ever bounced on those exercise balls? If so, does it bother your back much? I've never used one of those balls. Do they help with the right exercise program? What exercises do you do? I've tried the McKenzie and they help to a point. I really want to show next year and therefore need to get myself in some kind of shape. I feel if I do exercises it will hurt my back more. I would love to join Curves or something like that to take off some weight and get into shape. Thats my problem. I am a bit of a chunk. I have tried all kinds of diets and taking weight off is a major issue for me. I think if I lost some weight, my back wouldnt hurt so much. How frustrating...Darned if you dont and darned if you do. Sigh...

But I am trying to keep a positive attitude. Sounds like you all have gone thru alot more than I have. I feel like a whiner! I should feel blessed that I'm not having more problems than I am. Just the sciatica first thing in the morning and at night when my back is tired.

Have any of you had the microdisctecomy surgery? If so, how was your recovery? How is your back now? Thanks so much! LTK

[SouthwestRerider]

I have been through years of back problems, but they were when I was unable to afford to ride( trying to live on $600/month disability). I had degenerative disc disease and was unable to live without heavy pain meds- certainly riding was not an option. After years of pain , pain meds, sciatica and numbness, I finally found a Dr willing to do surgery. I was patient #5 in a study of ProDisc, a prosthetic joint replacement. It was that or a plate and screws with bone graft (forget what they call it). It took a couple years for all the symtoms and nerve to recover, but it was a miracle for me. I am functional again, rarely need anything for pain (YAY), and have minimal numbness.
It is now available for multiple levels, past the study stage I believe, and I heartily recommend it for the right patients.I think a different device became more popular, in the competition among the developers. I found the orthopedic surgeon who did it on the internet.
I just want to put that out as a possibility. I had to really fight (with my doctors)to get them to listen to me about getting tests and referrals, but soo worth it.
I put a photo of a horse, from an ad, in my wallet as a reason to keep going through the pain, the surgery and the recovery. It is years later (7), and I finally have my dream of having horses back in my life.

[Bluey]

I have also a L5/S1 herniated on the left, trochanteric bursitis and so impingement on the nerve that passes along there.
I didn't notice it, other than the ocassional stabbing, immobilizing pain when moving a certain way, until my left leg only had 20% function.

Thru injections in the bursa and PT, I have regained to 60% use of that leg, no more stumbling over my own foot and now my horses don't inexplicably change leads on me.:)

We don't know how this will progress, but it probably comes from an injury 30 years ago, when a heifer jumped on me and dislocated that hip.

A saddle that fits really makes a big difference, as does general basic physical fitness.

The chiro didn't do much for me and for that, made it worse, where the pain doubled.

I think each one of us is enough different that what works for others, while worth a try, is not always good for all.

I urge those with those kinds of back/leg pain to read the very interesting case history in the September 2009 Discover magazine issue, pg. 32, "Vital Signs", by Anna Reisman.

Found the link to that article::)

http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/27-vital-signs-sneaky-pain-fooled-6-experts

[deserthorses5]

What a great thread! It's just what I needed to inspire me! I have 2 herniated discs and arthritis and my back doctor told me, a year ago, "You'll NEVER ride again!" and I haven't now for over a year. And, yes, I went through PT and cortisone shots. The shots really helped with the pain (some days I couldn't even stand up!) But, this last summer, I got an OTTB, from TB Friends, and he is so calm and collected that Joe even let little kids ride him. Quad is very quiet and I haven't even seen him run in the arena, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to find the right saddle for him and ride him next summer, so I learned a lot from reading your recommendations about saddles and pads. He still needs some weight put on him and his feet were sore for a while, but he's healthy now and I'm ready to get back on a horse (if I can). I do still have numbness and tingling in my left leg and I notice that I'm not as limber as I used to be and I occasionally lose my balance! Sometimes I even trip over the kids at school, so there's something still not quite right. But, reading all your stories has inspired me and given me hope. Thanks, all! Heck, even if hubby were to lead him around the arena with me in the saddle, I'd be happy at this point!

[Boomer]

I have a hierniated L5/S1 - orginially injured in 2001ish. I suffered and rode for two years then decided I should go to the Doc (yeah, I know, not smart). That's when the MRI showed the problem. By the time I did go to the doc the pain was bad enough I was having trouble just getting on. The motion of the walk was awesome, but if my mare mistepped - it was unbearable. I ride dressage.

Tried the back injection but it worked for about a week, then I was as lame as before. So I did the back strengthening excercises and kept riding. Sometimes I couldn't do much other than just walk - it felt sooo good, the walk motion. I stayed posting if I could, but did start sitting again when I picked up a ride on a nice hannoverian gelding. And did ride my youngester too.

By 2004 the pain was intermittant. Mid-2004 I moved and had the horses at home. And had stalls to do. I really didn't think I was going to be able to do it long.

Now 2009 - I'm riding my then-youngster at 1st/2nd level, cleaning stalls and stacking hay, toting feedsacks. Back is pretty darn good most of the time. Stacking hay can set it off. I walk A LOT at work, so I think that helps.

[Waterwitch]

Another rider with herniated L5/S1 (plus the three disks above are bulging). At its worst, I had sciatica so bad that I would not be able to stand up or sit down without extreme (as in take your breath away) pain. Had a steroid injection in March which really helped quiet things down. Along with core strengthening exercises (which I need to do more) I am able to ride. The core exercises really, really help. Lifting heavy objects (who needs to do that around a horse farm?!) is more of a problem for me than riding - I can lift things with no problem but always pay for it later.

I am 42.

[pharmgirl]

Mine aren't as bad as most here, but I can at least provide some info on what has helped me. My L5/S1 through L3/L4 bulged after I broke my shoulder and was coming back to riding to find out that the broken side was not nearly as strong as the other (and hence, why they probably bulged to the weaker side). I found out then that I have degenerative disc disease, not helped by my decent lordosis (my dad has had surgery for spinal stenosis, etc, and was told by our spine doc that my back looks like his- thanks Dad!)

My back has shown me that not all tack is created equal (at least to my back it's not ;)). I realized during the healing after one of the bulging episodes that Wintec saddles and my back DO NOT get along! One ride in a Wintec can set it off. I also found out that the MDC jointed stirrups with the rotating stirrup leather placement thing helps a lot, esp. when I was doing a decent amount of riding in 2 point.

For me, what seems to help keep them in check is making sure my back muscles are in shape and balanced. A deep moist heat heating pad does wonders if it's cranky. I have noticed that if I take meds, heat, etc early on when I feel twinges I can often prevent a bad flareup.

[Carol Ames]

Find a Centered Riding instructor!:yes:, good Osteopathic MD;:cool: and massage therapist!:yes:

[Bearhunter]

I have a "bulging" disc @ L4/L5. I was rear ended about 2 years ago and took a flyer off my horse around the same time. Saw an orthopedist, did some brief PT (which did not bring much relief), pilates, acupuncture, rolfing, you name it. Eventually, it just got better. Now, I am in the WORST pain ever. Can't bend at the waist, getting up and down is miserable, muscle relaxants (Robaxin, Flexerall) bring little or no relief. Yes, I rode in a show this weekend and it was miserable and a complete disaster. I am not sure whether to run back to the orthopedist again or just seek out a good chiro/acupuncturist. So frustrating!

[abbydp]

I had a herniation between L4 and L5 that caused sciatica so bad I could not walk in the mornings. I tried everything as well - 2 injections and phsyical therapy. I was avoiding the surgery because I had several other discs not much healthier, so you wouldn't be fixing my back, just the worst problem. After severeal months, I was about 85% better. Riding always made it worse, once sending me to the emergency room for IV pain meds. It took one small thing to set me almost all the way back. I also had a great doctor that was trying to manage the pain and heal without surgery who also worked with an excellent surgeon. Once I decided I couldn't wait any longer they were great and got me scheduled in record time. I had the surgery and was unbelievably better that night. I did EVERYTHING exactly the way they told me and followed all advice. It has been 6 + years and I am able to do anything I want. I ride a bumpy, bony thoroughbred, jump, trail ride, horse show. The one thing though is I never do anything strenuous with him if I have not ridden in a while or have not been going to the gym. I will not just pull him out and go to a show, or jump a course. There are certain things I know better than to do, like throwing multiple hay bales. I pick up my own hay and grain, carefully, but function just fine. I am also very careful if I overdo it today to be very careful tomorrow. That's when I hurt it - when my body is tired. I found advil helped to take down some of the inflamation, and a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel tucks in the waist of your pants nicely haha. I wish you luck - I would not wish the pain on my worst enemy. No one that has never experienced nerve pain will ever understand - it is unlike any other pain. The surgery pain was absolutely nothing compared to it.

I know many people do not believe in them, but a good chiropractor is worth a lot. There is a new decompression therapy that worked for my brother and allowed him to avoid surgery for the same problem I had. He will never have a normal back, as none of us will, but he also doesn't get to sport the ugly scar I have. You have options, and depending on your exact problem can be pain free and continue riding your horses. You just learn your limits and the signs for when to stop and go on with life :)

[pharmgirl]

Bearhunter- I also would have flareups where the disc seemed fine, but then it would incapacitate me again. When it wouldn't resolve after a bit, I finally found an acupuncturist and that really helped. It seems lots of people with disc issues go to a chiro, but I thought that was contraindicated with an actively bulging disc, so I went the acupuncture route. It sounds like you did that previously, though? If this is worse/different than before, I suggest having an ortho check you out just in case.

One more thing- I also did a lot to strengthen the side of my back that the disc was bulging on (realized it was weaker after I broke the shoulder on that side). Once I did that, I have much fewer issues with my back.

[summerhorse]

I herniated a disk in March, it got better then a long road trip aggravated it in July, did therapy for 2+ months, it got a little better, then one morning ZAP! the whole thing herniated again and sounds like most of it came out from the MRI! That was so excruciating, I could barely walk, couldn't bend over, etc etc. etc. Had to have people over to feed, clean the litterboxes, get groceries, etc WHAT a pain in the butt (for everyone) but so hard to be the one who did it all and then be helpless (never mind the pain!). Sometimes I'm not sure what is worse.

Anyway I have a progressing numbness in my right foot so the Dr. wants to do surgery soon (a laminectomy). Has anyone here had that and how did it go? I take it that the recovery time and success depends entirely on NOT doing well much at all until it heals?

What are the side effects if any? Did the pain go away (mostly?) He did say my feeling in my foot may not come back. I can live with that, I sure can't live with that pain forever! Mine is L4-L5 I think.

It's very frustrating as I'd expected to have our 3year old under saddle by now and I haven't been able to do ANYthing with her since the end of August!

[islandrider]

I got rear-ended real hard Aug. 27. A few days later began this new hell of periformis/sciatica pain. Unbelievable pain-as many of you have described. It is only getting worse. Luckily, I have found that IF the pain was ok enough to let me drive to the ranch,I could, and have, at times, ridden. I ride in a treeless Barefoot London saddle on a 15.2 arab. Riding has been good for the pain, at least so far-that said, I have been nervous about having a bout on the horse, so haven't ridden much. If I munch ibu often enough, I can get a few hours of relief, but if i go too long I can hardly walk, sometimes can't walk! I finally got a new doc who seems determined to get to the bottom of things. Have had one cort. shot in the bursa which did nothing. Might be looking at another cort. shot in the lumbar area (L5/S1 like many of you) I feel so lucky that my horse is so happy where he is, that he is old enough and smart enough that I don't really have to worry about him doing dumb things when I am on him-mostly, I am grateful simply that I have him. Hanging out with him for an hour or so is far better for me than acupuncture has been, or most treatments, come to think of it. I just hope this goes away, as it isn't the only 'body ding' I've got going on. BTW I'm 52.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

The cortisone shots did nothing for me, but I gather responses are highly variable.

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Hi All ~ Well, I went in for my second cortisteroid injection and it doesnt seem to have worked as well. But I did climb back in the saddle again on my old mare who I trust completely. Of course it felt so good being back in the saddle, I overdid it. :(

I got a gel pad for my western saddle hoping that that would help and it didn't... I normally ride hunt seat on the flat, but have a western saddle for trail riding. I figured using the western saddle would make me feel more secure. So off we go, starting at the walk, then posting, then cantering. I'm not sure what did me in. The trotting or the cantering and of course I rode for an hour after not being in the saddle for many many months. It just felt so good riding again!!! :) I should have just ridden for 10 or 15 minutes at the walk.

Since then, I have had nothing but constant pain with the sciatic nerve. Bearable, but quite annoying. Again, Advil is my friend. Standing on a hard surface starts my leg to throbbing. I did some more research as I am desperate to ride in comfort.

I ordered some padded undies and ordered a Skitos Equalizer Foam Rear Gear. We will see what happens with that. The Skitos pad is expensive. 90 bucks, but figure I will try anything before opting for surgery. I think surgery is my only option at this point tho. I wont get my pad for about two weeks. Apparently it is a wonderful type of foam that can help people with bad backs.

Has anyone tried the Skitos pad? If so, how did it work for you?

[bambam]

I ruptured my L4/L5 about 10 years ago. It ruptured right onto the base of the sciatic nerve (after the surgery my neurosurgeon said he had never seen such an inflammed sciatic nerve). The decision to have surgery - a laminectomy - in my case was easy because I could not function. The steroid shots made it so that I was not completely bedridden but it was not much better (I could not sit for very long and would lie down on my office floor with my computer keyboard in my lap).
Surgery was definitely the right decision for me- the pain relief was immediate upon waking up from surgery.
I had a period a few years ago when my back was bothering quite a bit (but nowhere near the levels of pain before surgery) and it turns out that a few simply lifestyle modifications took care of it. I have periodic bad days but I usually know what I did to set it off and it lasts a few days.
Currently, there are no limitations on my riding because of my back. Sitting the trot on my gelding used to bother it but he has a weird gait due to his sweeny shoulder. Thinline pad helped that a bit.
I also definitely know it if I do not keep fit, especially those ab and core muscles.

My personal advice is to get second and possibly a third doctor's opinion (I am a big fan of this and doing so has helped me immeasurably in making numerous major medical decisions) and research who you go to for these opinions to make sure you are consulting someone good (all doctors are not created equal). My second piece of advice is to talk to someone (whether ortho or neurosurgeon) who deals with a lot of athletes. They tend to be less apt to say "give it up" as the easy, knee-jerk response. After my surgery, I told my neurosurgeon that my goal was to get back riding as soon as possible and his response was "here is how we will go about doing that" and here is the plan. I was not the first rider he had treated.

edited to add- I have a skito pad (not the particular one you mentioned though) to help with saddle fit and I never noticed it making a difference with my back

another suggestion- I recently went and got evaluated my a spinal specialist PT and she found several things that she thinks could be aggravating any back issues. Part of my problem is being much stronger on one side in my glutes which, obviously, effects and torques my back. She thinks that is why running bothers it so much and if I even up the muscling, I will have even fewer bad days. Might be worth getting that kind of evaluation.

[islandrider]

I have suffered from L5/S1 nerve pain since 8/27/09 resulting from an accident After tons of treatment, last week I began to improve. By last Saturday I was almost without pain, it was amazing. Of course I was anxious to take my horse out. My riding buddy went too-our first ride together in 3 months or more! Beaut day. I totally forgot about my issue. Too long of a ride-Short story, here it is 1 week out now and I'm back to the drawing board with out of my mind pain. Damn! I know that many of you have done this, I've done this before with my chronic arm pain. I feel like a big dummy, should have set a very short time limit for the ride, couldawouldashoulda, maybe shouldn't even have ridden-that's it, should have waited till I had a few weeks of semi normalcy under my belt before even thinking of getting on. Grrrr.
Reading the above posts about setbacks which are ongoing for weeks makes me shudder. I am a week out now from my big ride and haven't really glimpsed the improvement curve I was on. Kinda bummed right now. I live with a quadriplegic (not horse related!) so always am reminded how lucky I am just to get out of bed, but gosh. Nearly a year ago broke my L. leg, now this to R. leg. Both arms perm. damaged from medical mismanagement 13 years ago. I feel like that joke of a "old dog needs new home" flyer. Oh well,this too shall pass, right?

[camohn]

Get a good saddle. I have also done well with The Old Passier route
I have the Sprenger irons with the offset eye (not the jointed ones)
Cortisone injections have a place but don't get too many. Cortisone does tendon and ligament damage with longterm use.
Professional Choice neoprene back braces really help...both for support while riding and mentally to help "pad" the area if you are worried about falling. If fear of falling/causing more injury is a concern also consider an eventing vest
PT exercises may or may not help
PT: traction may or may not help
Surgery: use it as a last option if all else fails. Surgery always carries a risk. If surgery is needed shop very carefully for a surgeon. Just like trainers: just because they hung out a shingle (even passed their boards) does not make them good...and ESPECIALLY with neuro stuff you want good. On the whole: your family doctor is not a good place to ask. They generally know who is around but not necessarily who does the best work. Go into some PT offices and ask them who they recommend as doing the best work. They know better than the family MD whose patients get better faster/whose tend to have a lot of complications....I am a PT. I can assure you there are a number of neuro surgeons in my area I would not touch with a 10 foot pole...and probably only 1 or 2 I would trust with my own back. It never ceases to amaze me that most folks getting surgery shop more carefully for a car than they do for a surgeon.

[siseley]

As many have stated before...
We all have had sciatica and L5-S1 pain. I have found that after the laminectomy ( ?), I MUST keep my abs and obliques firm. these support the spine and hold you more up right and centered. No amount of just P.T. is going to fix the problem, but after the problem is reduced, it is vital you keep those muscles firm and supportive. After 2 surjuries, beaucoupe hours of traction/physical therapy/excrutiating pain/drugs, I now ride my lil Arab mare when ever I can. That means up and down the buttes, on the beach, and all over the red rock country. I stretch and bend SLOWLY before every ride, and do my gentle but consistent excersizes EVERY DAY!!
I have been riding 3-5 times a week since about 4 months after my last surgury, and at 63 yrs young will be riding into my 70's I am sure.

Steve

[3DogNight]

I'll add my experience . . .

Back pain/sciatica started in 2001. More doctors than you can imagine told me it was 'in my head' and wanted to prescribe antidepressants. Didn't do a thing, obviously. Finally found a neurosurgeon who diagnosed ruptured L4-L5. Had a laminectomy in '02 for that. Pain decreased slightly for about 6 months, then returned worse than before. At that point, same surgeon recommended fusion of L4-L5. Had that done in '03. Again, after recovery, it was good for about 5-6 months, then worse than before.

Went to another surgeon for second opinion - fusion was not done properly. In '04 had L4-L5 refused in an attempt to correct original surgery. Didn't help. Spent the next 3 years in PT, pain management, received accupuncture, had joint injections, epidurals, rhizotomies, and endless amonts of pain medication, which led to their own problems.

Spent all of '07 getting off of all of the MANY opiates I had been put on and was in withdrawal for the entire year. Was HELL. In '08, was recommended to a back/ortho surgeon who specialized in correcting previous surgeries. Had a L4-L5-S1 fusion in Nov. 08. Provided the most relief to date, yet pain came back after about 9 months. Going through another series of caudal epidurals right now. If they provide no relief, it's back in for (hopefully only) a laminectomy at L3, as the disc still looks okay, but there are severe bone spurs and ligament thickening/scar tissue adding to the problem.

Have probably been on my mare a couple dozen times in the last 8 years. Hoping 2010 is an improvement over the past years. My fear is not so much of the pain directly associated with riding, as I've been dealing with that for so long, but what may happen if I have a fall or some other severe trauma to my back. I still have every intention of getting back in the saddle and showing again, although the majority of the doctors have said it will not be likely. They don't know me very well :)

[shawneeAcres]

Did not read the replies, but here is my experience. I have suffered with degenerative disc disease for 35 years. It started at age 17, and I had my first laminectomy which relieved the pain. however, reoccured when I was 22 at a different level, and again two discs removed with laminectom. Finally at age 32 I was in SUCH EXCRUCIATING PAIN that I simply could not function and had a spinal fusion surgery. Throughout it all I have continued to ride, which actually helped by keeping my muscle tone up. It has now been 20 years since the fusion, I do have some days with back pain, I cannot stand perfectly straight up any longer, but I ride regularly. Sitting trot is difficult on a horse with much back movement, but most everything else is fine. It is just something you live with. I wouldn't be "afraid" to ride if I was the OP, and I definitely would pursue surgery! After my first two surgeries (done by neurologists) I was told nothing else could be done! However, I went to an orthopedic specialist on back problems and he did the final surgery and it was remarkable. However a LONG LONG recovery, which I understand the surgeries are much easier to do and recover from these days.

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Thought I would post an update! Hope all you are doing well and I'd love to hear how you are all doing, Am still living the with pain but its to a point where I am so used to it, I just find it annoying at times. I have a high tolerance for pain I guess.

I have spinal stenosis. My bad disc is more like a stale donut and doesnt have the cush a healthy disc does. So therefore the disc is compressed and leaning on my l5 nerve. Thats where the sciatica comes in etc. Went in for a epidural directly into the nerve. No big deal. The day after I had no pain. I felt like a new person! But the pain came back the next day. Sometimes these epidurals work and sometimes they dont.

Pain management doc put me on Neurontin. This is actually a drug for people with seizures, but they have found that its works great for people with nerve issues and keeps the inflammation down. Has worked somewhat, but makes me an airhead and short term memory is pretty much gone. Short term memory wasnt that great anyway at 52 year old! LOL! Sleep like a baby tho! I have insomnia too, but not anymore! I have also take Voltaren, an anti-inflammatory twice a day. Pain still there but like I said, it just can be annoying more. So yesterday, I just said the heck with it, I have three horses and I'm going to ride them! Pain or no pain. Saddled up. (I have arabs that I ride hunt on the flat) Walked for about 5 minutes. Trotted (posted) for two minutes and an easy canter once around the arena. Total time of riding was 10 minutes. Came home and iced my back twice and not to bad today. A little more sore than usual, but some of the soreness is from not riding for 5 months, Did some exercises for my back and loosened everything up.

So riding can be done! Go slowly! Ride with a little longer stirrup. It helps the hamstrings and your back. I will keep riding and and work up to longer times.

Good Luck! LTK

[Candle]

I also ruptured L5/S1 and had the microdiskectomy done after my leg stayed numb for a year. It worked really well, and then I had horrible low back pain come back. I thought it was SI joint pain, I thought it was scar tissue on the nerve, and what it was is my facet joints had rubbed on each other from being too close together after my disc ruptured. I just had a procedure to burn the nerves to the facet joints, and that's worked REALLY well. Make sure you go for appropriately aggressive diagnostics if there's more pain, because I would have just gone on about my business as a chronic pain patient on painkillers and heating pads and staying in bed half the month for the rest of my life if I hadn't collapsed in a coffeeshop in front of someone who does the facet joint procedure for a living.

[LuvThoseKhemos]

You poor gal! I talked to my Pain Mgmt doc about surgery. Says I am not a candidate for it. I've had all the diagnostics done. He wants to get the nerve to settle down. Well, my opinion is is that if it hasnt settled down by now, its not going too. Wants to get the nerve burned like yourself and because I dont have anything wrong with my back mechanically, they wont do it. Sigh...

How are you doing now?

[Candle]

Much better, and SO GLAD I had surgery and didn't have to wait longer than a year and a half before anyone would listen to me that that's what I needed. The whole "surgery as a last resort" did me NO favors.

[shalomypony]

I didn't have time to read through all the responses(will do so tonight).Anyhow I've had two surgeries on L4 L5,microdiscectomy/laminectomy.I was totally crippled ,hunched over,etc...did the shots and finally had the surgery and the releif was immediate.I reinjured it and had nerve damage and dropped foot.The surgeon said that another operation had a 50/50 chance of working.Did it and it worked.My outer leg is still numb,but not dropped anymore.I started pilates and am in better condition than I EVER was.I highly recommend the surgery and pilates.Good luck.By the way I ride daily.

[LuvThoseKhemos]

Candle & Shalom Pony ~ Can you tell me how your recovery time was after your surgeries? Big incisions, etc? How long did you have to take time off of work???

I am thinking of just telling my pain mgmt doc just to do surgery. He thinks he can get the nerve to settle down and like I said, if it hasnt settled down by now and this has been going on for a year and a 1/2 its not going to. Ugh...

Thanks so much! LTK :)

[shalomypony]

I had weight restrictions for about two months.(no heavy lifting)I was riding close to the three month mark.The pain was nothing compared to the pain before surgery.I didn't even take pain pills after surgery!The incision is small....maybe two inches.I have a minimal scar especially considering the cut me two times in the same place!But,I can't stress this enough...........PILATES is really what works for me.I didn't find pilates til about five yrs after my last surgery.I was good before that,but since pilates I'm awesome!!I'm so strong in my core and that's a direct impact on having a healthy back.I ride better than I ever have as well.If you smoke quit....it's a terrible thing for back injuries and some surgeons won't even operate on your back if you're a smoker.Edited to add that yoga is great also.I just can't do yoga....at all.I took one "gentle "yoga class and really did myself in.I'm just a pilates girl.Either way,find what works for you and do it religiously........best of luck and let us know what you do!!

[CoolMeadows]

Another herniated L5/S1 with others bulging. I had injections a couple of years ago and could probably go for another round. Before that, riding was out of the question and sometimes just getting dressed was an ordeal! It didn't help that my doctor left me waiting for months before agreeing to get me an MRI to see why I could barely walk and why my right foot was numb. During that time, my farm went to utter crap since you can pay through the nose for help and get almost nothing in return other than vultures circling to take your cash or stuff.

Your tack does make a huge difference, as does your riding style. I stand off green Tbs' backs a LOT. I can no longer do the Ottbs for that reason - it's just too painful. I can sit just fine since that activates your core more, so the horses I have now are ones who prefer a the deep/tall ride. I also have a Biarritz that's heavenly and probably the most important piece of tack is the Supracor half pad. I really recommend trying one and can't do without mine!

I also have an inversion table in my basement that's a lifesaver. Totally worth the money, but I wouldn't use one if the injury's fresh.