ducari
New User
Has anybody had a total hip replacement and continued riding? If so what were your time scales and limitations? Also do you have any tips please?
hip surgery
- Thread starter ducari
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Tinker_Belle
Well-Known Member
Yes. Time scales were around 4/6 months from the date of the operation. You can't start riding too soon after as it poses a serious risk of dislocating the joint and/or damaging the setting of it and the surrounding tissue.
The only real limitations are my confidence issues
And the fact it is uncomfortable to ride wide horses (pulls on my inner thigh muscles and makes the hip-joints ache).
Not really sure about tips apart from keep your leg muscles as stretched and supple as possible until you can start riding again. Mine got tight and it was uncomfortable starting riding again. Also, as strange as it sounds, I used to sit on my saddle (on a sturdy wooden saddle horse that my dad had made himself, not a spindly metal one) and get my legs used to being in that position until I could start riding properly again. I used to sit on it and watch tv or something like that. I looked like a right plonker but it did the job
.
As an extra, side-saddle riding is supposed to be excellent for those who've had knee and hip replacements. I've yet to try it but as soon as I have the finances, I intend to learn
.
I had both mine done at the same time and it hasn't affected things as much as I thought it might have done.
Good luck xx.
The only real limitations are my confidence issues
And the fact it is uncomfortable to ride wide horses (pulls on my inner thigh muscles and makes the hip-joints ache).Not really sure about tips apart from keep your leg muscles as stretched and supple as possible until you can start riding again. Mine got tight and it was uncomfortable starting riding again. Also, as strange as it sounds, I used to sit on my saddle (on a sturdy wooden saddle horse that my dad had made himself, not a spindly metal one) and get my legs used to being in that position until I could start riding properly again. I used to sit on it and watch tv or something like that. I looked like a right plonker but it did the job
.As an extra, side-saddle riding is supposed to be excellent for those who've had knee and hip replacements. I've yet to try it but as soon as I have the finances, I intend to learn
.I had both mine done at the same time and it hasn't affected things as much as I thought it might have done
. Good luck
xx.
Last edited:
Tinker_Belle
Well-Known Member
Just done a bit of Googling for you and this link came up - Click. Some good bits of advice in there, especially the bit about high cantles on saddles. Definitely a hinderance! .
.inkiboo
Well-Known Member
I was told I need 2 total hip replacements 2 years ago, aged 28, and was devastated! I went for a 2nd and then 3rd opinion before coming across a surgeon who offered an alternative! I've since had bilateral osteotomies to remove bony spurs from my femoral head, set the 'ball' deeper into the socket, as well as breaking and pinning of the femur to correct the angle - it took 3 months after each op till I could get back on a horse, but the difference is incredible! No more strong pain killers to ride, no agony after 20 mins (now it's my knees telling me to get off after 3 hour hacks). I'm a year post 2nd op and am so grateful I went through it - surgeon knew my motivations were largely riding & skiing based and there is no increased risk now.
Good luck, make sure you ask a few hundred questions & ensure there are no alternative options. One surgeon I spoke to told me after 2THRs I wouldn't be able to ride again... That just wasn't an acceptable outcome in my mind!
Any questions, please feel free to PM me
Good luck, make sure you ask a few hundred questions & ensure there are no alternative options. One surgeon I spoke to told me after 2THRs I wouldn't be able to ride again... That just wasn't an acceptable outcome in my mind!
Any questions, please feel free to PM me
silu
Well-Known Member
Have you looked into having a Birmingham Hip Replacement? BHR. Maybe look on the net for information. I've had both hips done...fantastic. If you want more info from me please PM.
karenb
Well-Known Member
I had a TRH 14 months ago and started riding again 19 weeks after the op and I ride a 17hh Irish Draught.
I do everything I did before the op, including regular 20 mile rides and small stuff cross country jumping, but all without the pain ! I find that flat work is more taxing on the muscles and so take it steady and do shorter sessions.
You MUST do the phisio and don't put a time scale on getting back in the saddle, you'll know when you are fit enough and ready.
Tinker belles saddle horse is a really good idea, I practised leg swinging on the arm chair !!
Feel free to PM me, happy to answer any questions
I do everything I did before the op, including regular 20 mile rides and small stuff cross country jumping, but all without the pain ! I find that flat work is more taxing on the muscles and so take it steady and do shorter sessions.
You MUST do the phisio and don't put a time scale on getting back in the saddle, you'll know when you are fit enough and ready.
Tinker belles saddle horse is a really good idea, I practised leg swinging on the arm chair !!
Feel free to PM me, happy to answer any questions