Riders with fractured ischium (seat bone!)

[Chwee]

Hello! A little random but wondered if there are any riders out there with fractured ischiums (seat bones)? I have an old fracture from a horse rearing and falling on me (20 years ago) that's healed weirdly and hasn't responded to steroid injections so next stop is probably an operation which sounds like a long time off riding.

I ride dressage, so seat bones are pretty crucial! I find I'm in more pain when hacking (as sat transferring weight through seat) so debating whether I just avoid that type of riding and live with it or (last resort) go down the road of having it operated on and the weird bony lumpy bit that has healed over the fracture shaved off. Shuddering just thinking about sitting in the saddle after that kind of shenanigans!

Anyone?

 

[Pigeon]

Is it worth trying a seatsaver and/or treeless saddle? They're much squishier. You could cut a hole in the seat saver for the bony bit?

Ask them for healing times etc for the op, may be worth it in the long run!!

 

[VRIN]

No idea but if you have managed to work round it for 20 years unless it has significantly deteriorated or causing other problems I am of the school of thought - if ir aint broke don't fix it! It may be that you solve one problem and create another. certainly worth asking more questions before embarking on surgery.

No help really sorry.

 

[Shay]

Of course in this case it was broke... but that doesn't mean fix it!

I think the Ishium was about the only bit in my pelvis I didn't break in a dancing accident (long story) when I was 14. I went on to break L3 and L4 in a riding accident aged 30ish. (now late 40's) Having endured surgery to pin both an unstable pelvic fracture and decades ago then later my back I can absolutely understand your reluctance and in your place would share it! I can ride now - although because of the pain I tend not to and the blasted brace thing I have to ride in now is so uncomfortable. (Sorry - lucky to be mobile at all, let alone back with horses and don't mean to sound ungrateful!) But the point is - I found hacking more painful than anything else because the footfall and balance is not regular so the movement required of the rider is more extreme - in my limited range anyway. I cope far better with dressage on a surface. There is a life after hacking if you need to!

 

[Chwee]

Thank you for the replies!

I do ride wth a gel seatsaver which does take the edge off it. Maybe I could get a treeless saddle for hacking - but I'm my sure about doing dressage in one.

Yeah, it's only really got bad in the last year - no idea why. I think I'll grill the consultant when I see him in a few weeks but after hearing about your experience I might just put up and stop being a whimp!

Thank you xx