Paging MEDICAL MIKE, can you help me?

[tidy rabbit]

I was wondering if you, Medical Mike, or anyone else, would have any suggestions for my problem....

I broke my right ankle about 5 years ago and have a screw in it.

When I sit on a horse I feel like my right stirrup is about 3 inches shorter than my left even though the stirrups are the same length. Even with my feet dangling loose below me I feel like my right leg is shorter. Someone looking at me will say my right leg might actually appear to be a tish lower then my left.

So this problem translates into obvious problems in my riding, especially over larger fences on a big green horse (17.2+). A smaller more experienced horse seems to be able to compensate for me okay, but the young one can't do it, so I've got to fix my position.

I'm considering having some body work done in hopes that will help stretch me out.

One thing to note is that even standing I tend to keep the weight off my right leg and develop callous on my left foot that I don't on my right and wear my shoes down unevenly.

Suggestions please! I need to fix this before I can move forward.

[Mac123]

Find a really great chiropractor who works on soft tissue just as much as the bones.

I just began going, he discovered some very significant problems I didn't know I had, and my riding has improved leaps and bounds. I could never get into my leg and always rode short, now my "long" stirrup length feels short.

Of course I was going 3xs per week for 5 weeks and am going 2xs a week for the next 5 weeks...but it is definitely worth it!!

[RugBug]

One thing to note is that even standing I tend to keep the weight off my right leg and develop callous on my left foot that I don't on my right and wear my shoes down unevenly.

Suggestions please! I need to fix this before I can move forward.

I have a similar problem with my left leg...although there was never an injury. For me, the problem actually stems from a crooked pelvis. You might be experiencing something similar from having compensated for your broken ankle...weighting the non-injured side more.

One thing that really helps me is to think about leading with my left hip. This in turn pushed the left thigh back and down and I end up more even. I can immediately feel my horses straighten when I am consciously thinking about doing this. On one horse, I can really feel how heavy I am on my right seatbone, so I also think about lifting that side, while pushing into the left one. It really helps to have a narrow horse who is VERY influenced by my position. The second I do this, he bends around my leg like he should. The spooky boy also gets less so because I've closed that door on him. No more spinning left! Talk about instant feedback.

Another exercise is this interesting stirrup thing Greg Best told me. Stirrups are removed from the saddle and then hooked together and thrown back over the seat. If you're not even, you'll basically slide right off one side or the other (unless you ride like you have no stirrups which defeats the purpose. When I do this I can really feel the difference in the corners and over some jumps.

[naters]

Same problem here, I think due to a knee surgery, which actually made my right leg 1/4 inch shorter than my left...

however, to "feel" even I ride with my stirrups two-hole difference from the other side :eek:

[Sooster]

I had a similiar issue after a fall last year. Part of the issue is you spend a lot of time "protecting" the part of the body which was hurt. So your body gets into the habit of moving differently and favoring your unhurt side. I had four Myofascial Release Therapy sessions and feel so much stronger and balanced. It also teaches you body awareness. It isn't a main stream therapy and I went into it as a non believer but do now. Give it a try.

[medical mike]

As it probably has several facets....
The altered sensation is a normal, albiet I would suggest heightened.
My suggestion for stepwise approach.....

1. There is obviously some inhibition so if it has been progressive a visit to the physician who did the surgery is in order. Arthritis, screw rejection and scar growth are things to consider. Following that.....

2. Back to the rehab specialist for a strengthening and stretching program to address the muscle patterns brought on by compensation.

3. Alteration of foot position if you have not done so. Wider stirrup, a truly home foot and not forcing the heel down. You have to take what the fracture gives you.


Lastly, you may be at the point where you have to start altering your level of competition/teaching. It sounds like you have kept up your activity, which is good....however it does speed up any negative changes that can take place to the joint.

I wish you luck. Please PM me with any other questions as I am not checking the boards as much as I used to.

REgards,
Medical Mike
equestrian medical researcher
www.equicision.com

[PNWjumper]

I second finding a good chiropractor.

I went through a bunch of chiros that did next to nothing. Then I stumbled upon my guy in a little hole in the wall chiro office next to my post office. The man is a freaking genius. In roughly 12 sessions he fixed a chronic back condition I've had since I was 13 or 14 in addition to making me fix a lot of little issues I hadn't realized needed fixing in the saddle.

The key, IMO, is finding someone who actually gets results in a not-too-distant timetable. I wasted many years on chiros who did absolutely nothing for me....high tech, low tech, and everything in between. My guy now is pretty low tech, but much like my horse chiro I trust him with my straightness! :)

[ExJumper]

Same problem here, I think due to a knee surgery, which actually made my right leg 1/4 inch shorter than my left...

however, to "feel" even I ride with my stirrups two-hole difference from the other side :eek:

I do this as well -- almost. I ride only 1 hole different to feel a little closer to even. I would LIKE to ride 2 holes different but I feel as though, somehow, that would be a bad idea... I think 2 holes would make me feel even, but I'm afraid to let myself ride that way.

Any thoughts on this?

[tidy rabbit]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

M. Mike, The home position is something I'll give a try in my riding.

I never did do PT for this injury.

I have a lot of injuries I'm affraid, including a bone chip in my neck which really affects my right side.

I used to do a lot of yoga and have stopped for some reason, and that perhaps has something to do with getting so out of balance again. Even as I sit here at my desk I can feel the asymetry in my seat bones and hips.

I'll try finding a good Chiropractor as well.

[gasrgoose]

I don't think you are in Atlanta, but these guys are really the best in the country. They are kinda chiropractors, but are really an entire different level. They regularly travel the country working on professional athletes, but they also work with regular people like me and my daughter. Call them and ask them to recommend someone in your area. They might be able to help.

http://www.synergyreleasesports.com

[FlashGordon]

I have a similar issue with my right ankle which I broke about a decade ago. Then I had a blood clot and residual damage to the valve, which has affected muscle strength and control. Might right leg is so useless now you might as well hack it off. Thank God I have good balance and a decent seat....

Agree that on an experienced horse or one that is naturally more balanced, it is not much of an issue. But on a greenie, and over fences, it is a problem.

Definitely go for some PT, you will be shocked by how much that can help.

Also, most importantly, see if you can find a really good dressage type trainer with an in-depth knowledge of biomechanics. This helped me MORE THAN ANYTHING. (And T, I know you lurk here, get yer ass back to NY.)

[tidy rabbit]

Also, most importantly, see if you can find a really good dressage type trainer with an in-depth knowledge of biomechanics. This helped me MORE THAN ANYTHING. (And T, I know you lurk here, get yer ass back to NY.)


Haha, this is why I'm now addressing this problem. I have one of these trainers already and we're getting to the bottom of my asymetry problem. Thus, the thread.

We've been working on my asymetry issues, but they were never so apparent as they were Wednesday night when we put the jumps up to 3' for the first time with this horse. My greenie laid it all out, as plain as the nose on my face, that he can't compensate for my leaning left over that size jump.

[Cammie]

Try to find someone who specializes in Active Release Technique. You can go to the ART website and look for a provider near you- http://www.activerelease.com/providerSearch.asp

You want to find someone with the highest level of coursework- Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Spine, Nerve Entrapment, Master's. If you can find all of the above, go to that person!!

I would marry my guy if I could just for the treatments. :D I have a tendency to get crooked through my hips, have sciatic (piriformis muscle) flare-ups and a host of other riding/swimming/running issues. I also apparently have a very weak ass, which is endlessly amusing. :lol: My ART guy tortures me during our sessions, but its incredible the amount of difference it makes. He also spends a lot of time showing me different exercises and stretches to do on my own. I'm the only rider they see, so they're completely fascinated- its pretty interesting how different our muscling is from other athletes, and what our weak and strong points are. Not many other sports offer such extreme over-development with inner thigh muscles!

[BridalBridle]

I'm sort of surprised by this thread but I'll throw 2 cents in anyway.
You say you have a pin in your ankle but you "FEEL" like you re uneven. You don't know? At no point do you say that an orthopedist or sports medicine physician has said you are not even.
Forget the horse riding thing until you are diagnosed. It may FEEL uneven but that may be just weakness or you may really be uneven. If you are uneven you can't move forward in fact you are going backwards. Get to a proper medical professional and make sure your body is balanced. You could be doing damage(to the point of soundness) to the horses if you are really not even.
If you are even then get to a physical therapist/sports medicine professional and get strong, fit or whatever u need to do in order to be balanced. Then you can go back to riding.
You risk horses backs, joints, permanent soundness issues. Your young horses could be permanently confused by aids and develope the wrong muscles.
Did I miss something???

[tidy rabbit]

Ummm, ya. I don't think it so bad as I'm ruining the horses I ride. Goodness, I hope it's not that bad.

[ynl063w]

I'm sort of surprised by this thread but I'll throw 2 cents in anyway.
You say you have a pin in your ankle but you "FEEL" like you re uneven. You don't know? At no point do you say that an orthopedist or sports medicine physician has said you are not even.
Forget the horse riding thing until you are diagnosed. It may FEEL uneven but that may be just weakness or you may really be uneven. If you are uneven you can't move forward in fact you are going backwards. Get to a proper medical professional and make sure your body is balanced. You could be doing damage(to the point of soundness) to the horses if you are really not even.
If you are even then get to a physical therapist/sports medicine professional and get strong, fit or whatever u need to do in order to be balanced. Then you can go back to riding.
You risk horses backs, joints, permanent soundness issues. Your young horses could be permanently confused by aids and develope the wrong muscles.
Did I miss something???

BridalBridle, have you seen any of Tidy's videos? Her horses are rather large and she's not. Plus she rides really well. I'm pretty sure her horses are fine and will continue to be. But thanks for the laugh!

Tidy, good luck. I never would have guessed from seeing your videos that you were struggling with anything like this.

[dogchushu]

I'm very uneven just from sitting crooked looking at my office computer all day. Definitely get yourself checked out medically and see a good chiro. Yoga, pilates, etc. all help with balance and stretching out a tight side.

To help readjust your brain, have you tried a balance board? It really helped me get a better sense of what it felt like to put even weight on each side. You can do squat and all kinds of exercises on them.