Riding after breast cancer ops and also hip osteo arthritis?

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Lissa56

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Hi, am new on here, but just hoping someone can help! I had LD breast reconstuction a few years ago and now unlucky enough to be diagnosed with right hip ostoarhtritis, which is painful, but I so much want to ride again, my doctors do not really seem to know, so just hoping some horsey people may have any personal experience of either of these thanks!
 
I had osteo arthritis in my right hip. It got progressively more painful but I continued to ride but had to take strong painkillers. I was lucky that my GP prescribed them knowing that I would only be taking them for riding a few days a week.

Fortunately I was finally able to have a hip replacement and was back riding after the recommended four months. I did follow the physiotherapy exercises religiously.

My left hip also has osteo arthritis but is not much of a problem.

I am a happy hacker and am now riding regularly with no problems.
 
Hi Lisa. I have had two lots of breast surgery , the first when I was 45. No problems at all getting back riding. 3 and half years ago I had recon surgery. Led . Stomach to boob recon. Did not have any problems getting back in the saddle but it took a lot longer as I was65 this time. Is you hip connected to your medication. It seems that the treatment causes other side effects. First time tamoxifen made me fat but this time. I am having scans to monitor my bone density. Lucky so far. Are you riding at the moment? Just do what you can manage. My energy levels have halved since my surgery. Sometimes I just enjoy watching my daughter and granddaughter ride and just caring for the horses. I wish you well
 
Thanks Suby 2! I am on painkillers but was worried in case they make me sleepy, I will have to mount with a mounting block, it makes me feel embarrassed though! I will have the hip replaced a little later as my surgeon thinks I m a little young, which I m not sure about. He says they only last 10 years but as long as I can ride again I dont mind, I will go on with the painkillers and hopefully a nice, sensible horse! Am glad you are now able to enjoy your riding.
 
Hi Lissa56

I have been using a mounting block for several years now.

Just remember, it's actually better for the horse's back so just say that's the reason you are using one!
 
Hi KrujaaLass, Its great to see you are riding! It sounds like have gone through much the same as me, I was put on a drug called Letrazole which is simolar to Tamoxifen, put awful side effects, I think my hip has got far worse since all these treatments, and like you, I seem to be tired alot. I havent ridden since the b/cancer which was 5 years ago, and when I had the Recon. the dr. didnt know if it was safe to ride! But I ve always been owned or around horses and I m getting so depressed, I m going to try to find a good school to see how I get on, I wish my daugher rode but she doesnt like horses!! All my best wishes.
 
When I had my op the physio was a rider , she said it was ok to ride but don't go throwing heavy feed bags about. You could start off with a gentle hack , but I don't know how your hip would be affected, just try with your pain killers and see how you go. If you was in my area you could ride one of mine. I am in Essex
 
When I had my op the physio was a rider , she said it was ok to ride but don't go throwing heavy feed bags about. You could start off with a gentle hack , but I don't know how your hip would be affected, just try with your pain killers and see how you go. If you was in my area you could ride one of mine. I am in Essex . I always use a mounting block, so much easier
 
My hips are ok so far, but I had breast cancer surgery in 2013 followed by the whole kit and kaboodle of treatment afterwards. I managed to ride a sensible cob through treatment on my third week of each chemo cycle. Getting off was my problem, the drop down was so painful because I had to leave my right hand on top of the saddle to try and ease myself down without a sharp drop. I took strong painkillers to keep me riding and it was sedate riding !

I ended up teaching the cob to stand by the block (a very big wide one) and let me get on and off onto the block and I still dismount that way now (I am 57). Here is a picture of what was built for me. Pallets, breeze blocks, boarding and a piece of rubber stable matting on the top. The horse in the picture is 17 hands so makes it look small, my cob is 15.2 so I only drop down about 6 inches. It is safe enough as long as the horse is mannerly and the block being used is solid and wide.

I hope you can continue to ride and enjoy horses OP.

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