Disc prolapse/rupture (rider) - how long before riding again??

little_flea

little_flea

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As title really... I've not had an MRI scan yet but everything points towards me having a prolapsed disc (lumbar region) so I'm just trying to be realistic rather than irrationally hoping I'll just be fine tomorrow. Two weeks now and no improvement whatsoever, in so much pain. If you've had this, how long before you were back in the saddle? I know it is completely individual, but I've two fantastic rides to show jump this season that I may now regrettably have to consider giving up.

Absolutely gutted and would love to hear your stories – even if they are not exactly positive!
 
I rode straight away, well, maybe I gave it a day or 3. And I have a young, spooky horse. I can honestly say it was agony, but no more than walking or moving on my own I figured! I also kept working as a personal trainer and pole fitness instructor, took up stunt riding and rock climbing. Perhaps that's why 12 months on I'm still in a lot of pain (I am an idiot! I refuse to give up having fun because of a bad back). After a while riding became the least painful way to sit.
 
Really, those are encouraging stories... I just can't imagine being on a horse right now, I'm in agony just sitting and walking and can barely put shoes and socks on by myself and it's been two weeks. Can you not make it worse by riding straight away? I medicated through one day of taking a youngster show jumping and couldn't move the day after...
 
It's a very individual thing, but if it's been two weeks with no improvement, that's not great. Are you getting any treatment? I saw a physio who did absolutely nothing, and a GP who only referred me for an MRI, then I went to a chiropractor which brought instant relief and steady improvement - I climbed my first mountain within six weeks, but there's no way I could have ridden or done anything else if I'd be at the mercy of my GP!

If you haven't already, get some voltarol gel and rub it on - helps loads.
 
Yes, I've been to a very good osteopath 3 times (who has fixed me in the past) and although he is not an orthopaedic surgeon he knows a lot and says I absolutely need an MRI scan now. No, 2 weeks without improvement is not looking too promising I guess. :/ it's impossible to predict, so frustrating, I wish I could just get my head around being out of action for 2 weeks, 2 months or a year - just desperately want to know so I can make a decision on what to do with the horses. Really appreciate your replies.
 
my disc prolapsed in 2 places in May, i did manage to ride on good days and dosed up on 30 odd painkillers a day, i got my op 27th dec same year. I couldnt ride then for 3 months (supposedly) but i did get on after 10 weeks, even now a year and 3 months after the op, i still suffer from it, but i do think that riding movement helped the muscles heal (gentle walking that is, not trotting or anything faster)
I sympathise with you, the pain was indescrible.
 
had my herniated disc removed - was off riding for 3 months - and touch wood since i have had no back pain - that was 4 yrs ago and truly the best decision i made - the steroid injections did nothing so pleased i chose the op - i didnt wait for op as with job i get medical insurance.
 
I prolapsed mine sneezing! 5 months later I was in agony with the worst sciatica ever - I could hardly walk, or sit down or even sleep the pain was so bad. The doctor didn't do anything until I seized up on the examination table and was not able to move because of the pain, until they dosed me with morphine!!

Referred to surgeon and MRI - within 2 weeks was in surgery for discectomy! That was the end of June, and I was back on a horse at the beginning of October (2002). 10 years on, riding 5-6 time a week and very little problems with my back, apart from a slightly weak right leg and my right foot turns out slightly when I walk, particuarly if I have been on my feet for a long time or I am tired.

Get referred asap and get some treatment, don't let them fob you off with painkillers, make sure you get referred to someone who can help.
 
Can't tell you how much I appreciate your replies.. " when can I be back show jumping competitively" is clearly not what most London health professionals expect to hear. Seeing a GP tomorrow will take if from there. :(
 
little_flea said:
As title really... I've not had an MRI scan yet but everything points towards me having a prolapsed disc (lumbar region) so I'm just trying to be realistic rather than irrationally hoping I'll just be fine tomorrow. Two weeks now and no improvement whatsoever, in so much pain. If you've had this, how long before you were back in the saddle? I know it is completely individual, but I've two fantastic rides to show jump this season that I may now regrettably have to consider giving up.

Absolutely gutted and would love to hear your stories – even if they are not exactly positive!
Click to expand...

I suffered from a prolapsed disk about 5 years ago, my consultant said it could be due to the weakness in my core that developed AFTER i stopped riding (i had given it up and not ridden for many years) and advised me to get back into the saddle asap.

Since i have been riding again my back problems have gradually got better over time.

Get back on as soon as you can x
 
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yaffsimone1 said:
I suffered from a prolapsed disk about 5 years ago, my consultant said it could be due to the weakness in my core that developed AFTER i stopped riding (i had given it up and not ridden for many years) and advised me to get back into the saddle asap.

Since i have been riding again my back problems have gradually got better over time.

Get back on as soon as you can x
Click to expand...

This is my dream... But I ride 3-5 different horses each week, at the weekend prob 4-5 a day, one of them an over jumping 4-year old stallion who is doing his first few shows? I am so appreciative of your replies, maybe just maybe... Thank you. I just need to try and be sensible. Thank you. X
 
LizzieJ said:
Mine are permanently prolapsed - Riding is good for it I reckon ;)
Click to expand...

I have two like this from five or more years ago and totally agree riding is great for my back. Keeps the core strong and protects the back! My cocktail when in pain is 50mg voltarol, 30 of codeine and two paracetomol.... Works a treat :D
 
I saw a chiro for the first 6months as I don't have any faith in doctors, then went to my gp who said I had 'probably pulled a muscle' ...er, I don't think so sunshine! Just been discharged from physio as nothing they did helped, they said give it 6 more months and if not better then they could operate. But like I said, I have kept doing everything I want, just in tremendous pain, so I don't see the point in stopping now! Rock climbing has proved best for mine, then pole, then riding. The one thing I can't do is stay still, I was in tears sat at my office desk today. Good luck with the recovery.
 
Late reply and hope you get on well. I did mine in January of one year, didn't ride from February, had injection into mid June, didn't ride for about three weeks after as being extra extra cautious, then rode once at home and next ride was a two day show, though admittedly did have some one warm horse up for me the first day and was showing not jumping.

Has been fine riding ever since though did struggle getting on for a long time.
 
Went to GP this morning and was told that the NHS won't do an MRI scan as I'm not a back surgery candidate at this stage (proven by the fact that I could actually get to the surgery!). Wrote me a letter of referral to get a scan - cost: £500-800, but told me not to bother as the treatment is the same whether it is a ruptured disc or not.

Really? Shall I not investigate this any further?? Feel very miffed indeed.
 
My back went April 2010 - after surgery on my shoulder, ironically.
The pain as you say, is indescribable. I was very lucky as I have health insurance from work and though my GP too was pretty non committal, did refer me immediately to a cranial osteopath (only because insurance were paying though!)
Osteopath took one look at me crying and shaking in the waiting room (had to stand on one leg as could NOT sit, too painful) and demanded to know when I was seeing the specialist - when I said GP wouldn't refer me she treated me (miraculously reduced pain by about 40% in one treatment) and got straight on the phone. That afternoon GP rang me and referred me.
I saw the consultant after 5 days and had private MRI 3 days later - I know I was VERY lucky.
To everyone's surprise I did NOT have a slipped disc - I had a cyst on the disk pressing on the L5/S1 nerve root giving agonising sciatica - and consultant said that MOST will burst although it MAY recur :(
After approx 4-5 weeks (the longest of my life) the pain started to subside and after about 2 months I was able to get back onboard - riding never hurt me, in fact before my back went totally, the 5 weeks of pain leading up to it were only eased by riding.
The cyst scenario apparently is extremely rare - but had I not had the MRI so quickly we might never have known about it and it wouold have just been put down to a slipped disk that sorted itself out..
I would get the MRI. Then you will know what you are up against.
My back still bothers me but I try not to think about "what if" and take it easy if it starts playing me up. I know I can no longer drive horsebox to a show, ride all day and then drive home - OH has learned to drive the box and I save myself to ride.
Hope you get on OK. Co-Codamol or co_dydramol are your friend, as are Naproxen!
 
My OH has had this twice, the first time he had a discectomy but the second time they were unable to operate further. He was sorted out by a Physio using Robin Mckenzies methods, look up his book "Treat your own back" it has worked really well for him and he now has emergency exercises to do if it feels like it is going to happen again. He was told by the physio that he needn't have had the operation and she could have sorted it the first time too.
 
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