Knee Replacement Op

[Pep12]

Hi - wasn't sure where to post this??

just wondering if anyone has had or knows of anyone who has had a full knee replacement and if so how long it was before they could ride again? Did they manage to return to their previous form on horse-back e.g jumping etc or did they have to calm things down a bit?

Any thoughts or experiences gratefully received.

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

A friend of mine had to have her knee almost totally reconstructed - didn't do a replacement as she is only 30 and apparently they wear out after x number of years and you can only have it done twice.

Had to wear a brace for 6 months whilst having physio & then a further 12 months without the brace.

Still has a limp and the knee is noticably weaker but she is able to ride. Can't do rising trot / jumping etc - but hopefully it will strengthen over time.

 

[TarrSteps]

A friend of mine has had both knees replaced. She is a professional but older now so rides only intermittently and her own horses (and was not riding at all when her knees were bad) so has not returned to jumping/competition. She did say she found rising trot more uncomfortable so tends to only walk or canter.

What she does regret though, is putting off having the first one done! By the time she had the op there was quite a bit of compensatory damage and her recovery involved a lot of difficult physio. The second one she had done asap and it was a much quicker, easier process.

It's possible I'm looking at one in the future, but have been told to hold off as long as possible so long as I'm still able to ride/work. But if it gets to the point where I can't ride comfortably anyway, I'll get it done sooner rather than later.

 

[Pep12]

Thank you for your replies.

It is not actually me but my mum, who has had to wait ages (too young). It sounds like she will be able to carry on hacking etc quite happily but maybe just take things a bit easier. I am sure her knee will be miles better than it has been anyway. lets hope the physio isn't too difficult from having had to wait so long. Cheers again.