Riders back problem

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Auntie Mags

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Hi everyone, Don't know if this is the best place but I wondered if anyone could help. I had spinal surgery two years ago for a prolapsed disc but now it has all gone wrong and I need spinal fusion. I have been told this will involve at least six months off riding and probably 18 months. Has anyone else had any experience of this and if so I would be grateful of any advice. I used to do a lot of dressage but now I mainly hack and just a bit of schooling. I'm just anxious about what chance I have of making a comeback!!!! Many thanks.
 
If you were gently hacking (if your horse can do this!) wouldn't the movement help to "physio" your back? I know it sounds daft but after two days of not riding my back hurts - I don't know why but I think it likes the (sometimes) gentle movement of the horse?
I think it helps to build the muscles supporting the spine? Not a physio so don't quote me!!!
 
I'm currently waiting for an MRI scan for suspected prolapsed discs in my back so I can sympathise with you.I have been told so far that I must not ride.I was injured 4 months ago in an RTA and have been told that if I have got prolapsed discs I may need an operation to fix them,however if its not prolapsed discs then aggressive physio will help but I was also told that it will be a good 6 to 12 months before I can consider jumping my horse again due to the stress on my spine.From the research I have done into spinal problems it seems that surgery is not always successful and can lead to more problems as in your case so I have been looking into alternatives and alot of people swear by chiropractors and having regular treatment with them rather than surgery.Have you looked into that route at all? I would try to avoid the surgery if possible to be honest and maybe see a chiropractor and see what they think about you riding.
 
I am sorry to hear that you have a bad back and are facing surgery.

I had a spinal fusion done 8 years ago. There was a similar thread to this one on here recently, where I replied in a bit more detail. If you do a search on back pain on here you may find it.

I am happy to talk to you and tell you my experiences. Please feel free to PM me.
 
Well i have a slipped disc, did it age 18, and am now almost 26, i have never had any surgery, i have instead had accupuncture and osteopathy, i dont like the idea of surgery tbh.
I have not often heard where surgery has helped such a condition, think it certainly does though. But i thought about it and asked about, and many who have had it that i know have said it hasnt really made any difference, so i dont know, but good luck with it, i can empathise about your back though
 
hi i also suffer with my back slipped discs twice and back pain or sciatica all the time the discs took 12 months to be better first time and 6 months the second i find that when i am not suffering with slipped disc just the back pain it helps to ride regular no end but i dont jump and am terrified of coming off as i know i really cant cope with that anything could happen, i also take tramadol painkillers which are good ,my consultant wont operate on backs unless there is no option, i know two people who had same op as you one is better the other it didnt help. monty roberts says the disc fusing op changed his life and he couldnt have managed without it and would recomend apparentley you loose some bending ability but it cured the pain ect good luck
 
Hi, thank you for replying. Two years ago one of my prolapsed discs burst and stuck on my sciatic nerve. I waited three months for surgery and they had to scrape the disc off the nerve. This has left me with permanent sciatica. Now that disc has prolapsed again and also scar tissue from the first op is trapping a nerve and to add to that the vertebra and facet joints jam together and cause hideous pain. I am on 25 strong pills a day and although I just about cope with riding I don't do anything else. Can't work. Good luck with your back. I didn't ride for 6 months when the first thing went wrong but now I am keeping going as if I have surgery I'll be out of action for ages. Luckily my horse is safe!!! I think once backs start playing up to this extent there isn't an instant cure. All the best with the scan.
 
Thank you for replying. Haven't been on these before and not quite sure what to do!!! I would love to hear about your spinal fusion and how it has affected your riding and did it work? Someone else on here has said Monty Roberts had one. I didn't know that. I have explained in one of my replies to Spike what has happened to me. Many thanks
 
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