I, myself have swelling on my knee during & after riding.

L&B

L&B

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Had a lovely long ride yesterday to make most of the sunshine we.were blessed with up north. I have had time out of the saddle except for lessons (last 5months due to lame horse). A friend in the last 2months has had me hacking with her.
Yesterday we went for hours, did lots of trot & canter, lovely long trek up the gallops.
But when trotting I had to keep stopping to adjust my stirrups/rest. Never have I felt pain like it in my right knee, brought tears to my eyes: was like cramp, seized up and sharp achey pain. Then when I got off it was swelled the size of a golfball on my inner knee & full of like, fluid...
Anyone else get this or have any ideas? I felt like an old lady? Only on my right knee though (bizzare).
Also, with that leg I felt that to stop some of the pain in my right knee, it was better to put all of my weight to the outside of my right foot, and with the pain I found this was the only way to keep my heels down - even though this stopped the pain in my knee but created it in my ankle. Hmmm?
 
My mum had this same thing, had alot of doctors/hospital etc do numerous tests not sure of the exact outcome but they didnt help atall, she found a few wks rest and drinking lots and lots of red bush roibos (cnt spell) tea everyday helps wonders, i kid you not, maybe co incidence but now she swears by it and the problem although does flair up now and again has never bin as bad. I know it sounds bonkers but maybe worth a try, obviously have the doctor rule anything else outjust to be sure though
 
@highlandponygirl - no, short boots, well muckers rolled down :(

And @rowan666 - worth looking into perhaps... :) didn't really want to pay for expensive chiro or physio just yet.
 
You wanna get that checked out IMMEDIATELY!

As you complain of feeling like an old lady - I take it that you are quite young - so this should not be happening. Let me ask you:- how did you mount up? Did you feel anything unzip? Even slightly? If you've have a spell off and lept up to the plate full of the joys of spring perhaps you pulled or twisted something and the rest was irritation of being out so long.

I speak from a lifetime of abusing my body! What's more, I rarely took any notice of it complaining barr taking a few painkillers and this is not the best policy! Your knee swelling up is your body's reaction to injury - it's trying to immobilise a point of bruising, strain or rupture. One's bone ends are not only covered in a sort of living plastic to facilitate articulation but the joints are also surrounded in a bag of the same stuff filled with "joint oil" ( some of mine now just grind together but that's another story!) If you have damaged one of these joints - you will get an extra swelling that can be very painful - but if you want a demonstration of pure agony - what not try getting the joint oil infected?? I had that and went from asleep at 4.00 am to speechless pain at 6.00 and unconscious at 8.00 - it almost killed me --- so BEWARE!

Popped back in to ask: do you have a history of arthritis or rheumatic problems in your family - particularly the female line?
 
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Hiya 1stclassalan, hmmm... I hear everything your saying, let me try & answer: I'm 25, so not exactly spring chicken, but not getting any younger. Mounted up as normal, from a large block, didn't feel at thing. Horse always walks off when mounted so some fiddling to get right stirrup. Nothing unusual or any pain.
Painkillers is usually my route for such things - took ibuprofen when I got back & thought no more of it. Swelling only took an hour or so to completely disappear.
My mother says our family have 'crap knees' and 'poor lower backs' but being the eloquent soul she is, gave no further definition. She often gets stiff knees when say, gardening etc.
 
L&B said:
Hiya 1stclassalan, hmmm... I hear everything your saying, let me try & answer: I'm 25, so not exactly spring chicken, but not getting any younger. Mounted up as normal, from a large block, didn't feel at thing. Horse always walks off when mounted so some fiddling to get right stirrup. Nothing unusual or any pain.
Painkillers is usually my route for such things - took ibuprofen when I got back & thought no more of it. Swelling only took an hour or so to completely disappear.
My mother says our family have 'crap knees' and 'poor lower backs' but being the eloquent soul she is, gave no further definition. She often gets stiff knees when say, gardening etc.
Click to expand...

Oh, I wish I was 25 again - as I was only saying on Friday to the beautiful Polish girl who manages our local timberyard ( yes, timberyard!) - she laughs- her giant husband works outside so I know my place!

Realising how you can twist at the knee sometimes to gain one's irons - I'd say that's what you've done this time and as it's gone down fairly quickly, not too much to worry about - but do keep an eye out for doing the same thing again. Some repetitious knee exercises wouldn't go amiss either - you can do those sitting in a chair - you don't need to pay a phsyio!!!

My arthritis comes down the line courtesy of my female ancestors, all of whom ended up looking like the old crones from the Scottish Play - all hooky fingers and lumps so cheers girls!! But this does mean that I'm truly in touch with my female side..... hahaha.
 
You do make me laugh!

Say, just had a thought, I used to be told when riding when younger to 'grip with your knees' to the point where we would have 10p pieces put under them at the beginning of the lesson & if they were still there by the end we got to keep them...
I'm wondering if so much strain back then is having an effect now? That coupled with time out of lengthly hack-riding?
 
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