Hip replacements and riding

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fairhill

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Has anyone had, or know of someone who's had their hip replaced, and managed to carry on riding afterwards?

My mum went for a consultation with her surgeon yesterday, and he told her she wouldn't be able to ride because the risk of it dislocating when mounting/dismounting would be very high.
She's gutted, and has another 2 months to think about when she wants the operation. At the moment she's facing daily pain, and being unable to walk very far so she needs it replacing asap, but isn't ready to give up riding either
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I'm posting this on her behalf to see if there are any positive stories out there, otherwise I'll be breaking Chloe to harness
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A friend of mine had a hip replacement and nine months later competed at the RC championships Horse Trials at Open level!! She came second! Also have another friend who had a hip replacement and now competes at Elementary/medium dressage. I'm no doctor but where there is a will there is a way
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That's the kind of positive story we need, thanks!

The doc did say that with a full replacement the risk of dislocation was less, but it's major surgery, compared with the capping that they're hoping to do if there's enough usable bone, but that will leave her with a shallower joint.
 
Ask the physiotherapist to give her exercises quite specifically to help her back riding. I have found them really helpful when you have a specific goal like that.
 
I'd suggest you try and find a surgeon who understands and is sympathetic to riders....they are out there (some even ride themselves), as I was told about one the other day as I have a bad back problem and still ride.
I cant believe that if the recovery is good and the job is done properly that you couldnt ride again.

Hope the outcome is good for you !!
 
I know someone who had this and was back hunting by the end of the year!, even if it was only for a couple of hours; the season after, there was no stopping them Only thing they found was they had to have a slimmer build of horse so they weren't 'stretched' as much; it also had to be ultra sensible too as the last thing you want is a fall; also, it was easier if they only had to get on and off once (that seemed to be more of a problem than actual riding) too so gate shutting was out, but people were very good and went out of their way to make sure they were safe and sound. I know they wouldn't go back to the pain of before the op' so good luck to your Mum. Hopefully, the only thing she'll need is patience so she doesn't try and get back on too early and do too much.
 
i know 2 people and both are riding and hunting well currently and one person was back in saddle within 6months and other person has had both hips done now
 
Thanks all.
SteveD - the surgeon hasn't said that riding is completely out of the question. It's just with the capping which is the preferred option will leave her with a very shallow 'ball' so the risk of it dislocating is very high. The full replacement is a lot sturdier, so it would almost be preferable to have that done.

MFH - that's heartening to know. I'll be printing this thread off for to have a read of.
It is indeed the getting on and off that will be the problem (and is at the moment). Chloe is very, very sensible (no ones fallen off her in the 7 years we've had her), but is also extra wide, which is good at the moment as it keeps the muscles stretched, but might not be so good for her afterwards
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Yep, my dressage instructor! She's doing more driving now, but still competes regularly at dressage, and has two quite wide horses!
 
A friend of my Mums had a hip replacement in her 70s, and carried on riding for many years afterwards. She did use a mounting block to get on and off though, and her pony was an absolutely saint. Hope this helps your Mum to make a decison.
 
I know a lady in her late 60s/early 70s that has had a double hip replacement and rides regularly even going on one of those manic trek thingies in Iceland!
My good friend had a single hip replacement a few years back and rides regularly. She did fing mounting and even more so dismounting awkward to start with but now is fine. She finds it easier to dismount by throwing her leg over the front of the saddle.
Hope all goes well.
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