WWYD ? Time to hang up my boots ?

[Rocky159]

Just joined conversation. I would push for total hip replacement if your spurs will allow this. My right hip arthritis (and right knee and right foot) is preventing me from walking and riding. I have been advised that hip first is best, but other joints may follow. Apparently robotic intervention is now best procedure and can be back working in four weeks. My riding mainly curtailed because of inability to swing leg over cantle to dismount. Other methods available (soldier dismount) but just generally nervous as had a fall dismounting. I’m 63. Plan is to get my hip done in next three years in time for state retirement age ( late - thanks government) and then go back to riding.

Don’t give up! QEII still riding in her nineties!! (Hatless). Go girl xx

 

[splashgirl45]

i did the soldiers dismount for years as my hips were so bad and continuedto do so as i was used to it, even though i could have dismounted in the usual way

 

[Esmae]

I never thought of that. Ive been seeing the doctors for years now, and have been to see more physios than i care to mention. the last physio was amazing, and i genuinely thought wed cracked it. Then one day i fell over after my leg gave way and was in a mess. Cue urgent visit to physio.She worked on me for a bit but my left leg just went into spasm and she had to stop and referred me straight back to the Drs. Doctor then transferred me to the skeletal team. Who did an assessment, with the aim of sending me for keyhole. They then told me the op is only for 20 year olds, and at my age ( 52) its considered too risky as it can make the arthritis worse. The centres who do this procedure wont touch me ? Do you think its worth a private consultation ?

I absolutely would go for a private consultation and diagnostics. It isn't as expensive as you may think and definitely worth it. I've just gone down that route myself and would again if I had to. For anyone who hasn't got private health insurance, GET IT. I would give riding a miss until alternative options have been explored and then take a view on information that you have.. Good luck. I don't know where in the country you are but if you care to pm me I can send you a link to the surgeon I used. Excellent chap.

 

[Esmae]

I think you are right. I will push for a private appointment. Thank you

You can refer yourself for private consultations.

 

[Xmasha]

A little update .
I had a lesson at Ingestre on Friday . What a wonderful experience that was , It took me back to my childhood. I was put on a coloured sort of sports cob . Who was definitely finer than my mare . We even did some trotting without stirrups . I felt a little stiff yesterday, but nothing bad . Even today I can walk normally and the stairs are no problem . So plan B is most definitely a possibility now ?

Esme, if you could send me the name of the surgeon that you used that would be fab . Thanks

 

[Esmae]

A little update .
I had a lesson at Ingestre on Friday . What a wonderful experience that was , It took me back to my childhood. I was put on a coloured sort of sports cob . Who was definitely finer than my mare . We even did some trotting without stirrups . I felt a little stiff yesterday, but nothing bad . Even today I can walk normally and the stairs are no problem . So plan B is most definitely a possibility now ?

Esme, if you could send me the name of the surgeon that you used that would be fab . Thanks

Done love. All good luck.

 

[Ratface]

Asha, that's a really positive update! I'm so pleased for you.

 

[Xmasha]

Asha, that's a really positive update! I'm so pleased for you.

thank you ! Feeling relieved . At least I now have a chance to ride my 2 latest homebreds . As they are only IDx so hopefully won’t be as wide ?

 

[Xmasha]

Thought I’d do another update . After feeling great for a few days my leg gave way again . I just turned around and the bone spur must have pinched again . Had a really bad few days and ended up in tears to the GP.
She offered to send me for a 2nd opinion, but said that even if we went down the NHS route I would end up being put on a wait list . She basically told me to go private . So she’s doing a referral letter . I have an appointment on 3rd August with a private consultant . A friend of mines husband is a surgeon and he did some research for me and found one he would trust . So fingers crossed ?
GP also referred me for a bone scan and I’ve been worried about osteoporosis. ( my mum had it , which is why she broke her hip when she fell and subsequently died a few weeks later , hence why I’ve been a bit backward in pushing for the op )
So if all goes to plan B , I can continue riding my ID mare after she’s had her foal ?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ive just had a meeting with the specialist about my hip arthritis. Theyve told me i need to give up riding.
At first they told me i would be able to have key hole surgery to remove the bone spurs. So I put my ID mare in foal so when i had the surgery she would be off having a foal. Now im not eligible for this op, as apparently it would the make the arthritis worse in the long run.
My husband is very supportive and has suggested i focus on the breeding side of things. I do love breeding , but i do it because i enjoy the hope of one of them being my next riding horse.

So wwyd ?

1. Listen to the doctors and give up riding, and focus on breeding
2. Try riding a horse not quite so wide
3. Ignore doctors and carry on as normal.

Its not just the pain from riding thats the problem, its afterwards. I have to crawl up and down the stairs on my hands & knees as its so painful, and the bone spurs will cause my leg to give way. Having not ridden for 2 weeks the difference is amazing. I feel almost normal.

I was told yesterday that I need a bionic knee, I have osteoarthritis. Since I am mid 40 they said they may not do it but there is literally no cartilage so soon it will be bone on bone rubbing. I have been suffering with an mcl tear so it makes sense that thats why its not healing properly.
nothing will keep me off my horse, Id just cry quietly later ?but it sounds like your in considerable pain. You have to just do whats right for you. Sending hugs

 

[Xmasha]

I was told yesterday that I need a bionic knee, I have osteoarthritis. Since I am mid 40 they said they may not do it but there is literally no cartilage so soon it will be bone on bone rubbing. I have been suffering with an mcl tear so it makes sense that thats why its not healing properly.
nothing will keep me off my horse, Id just cry quietly later ?but it sounds like your in considerable pain. You have to just do whats right for you. Sending hugs

Sorry about your knee . My friends husband told me that the NHS basically just push you back because of the costs .
If it was just pain when in the saddle I’d be ok with that . But it affects day to day with or without riding now . So something has to be done .
Hope you get your knee sorted x

 

[Barton Bounty]

Sorry about your knee . My friends husband told me that the NHS basically just push you back because of the costs .
If it was just pain when in the saddle I’d be ok with that . But it affects day to day with or without riding now . So something has to be done .
Hope you get your knee sorted x

Hope you get sorted too, yeah walking etc makes it even worse but I just push through it. I know that if I moan my hubby might say maybe you should give up horses ? and I cant do that

 

[dominobrown]

Hopefully good news for you Asha but shame about the mess the NHS is in. I know people that have had to go private for cancer treatment. Anyways hope you are sorted soon!

 

[Xmasha]

All I can say is it was well worth going private . The service was superb . I had a 20min appointment booked , Dr did a basic assessment and sent me for an X-ray . This was a corridor away , by the time I got back he had the results. He talked me through the X-ray so I could understand what’s going on . Right hip not too bad just a couple of bones spurs on the pelvis , but left hip is pretty rubbish . Multiple bone spurs top and bottom of pelvis , and 3 bone cysts, decent amount of arthr . Plus bone on bone at one point but not on the whole hip .
a hip replacement wouldn’t sort out all the above , although he reckons I will need one in 5 years time .
so he’s going to inject the hip.
I asked about riding and he said crack on !
So a massive thank you to you all for recommending a second opinion.
just back from a lovely evening hack on my beautiful ( and wide ) Irish Draught mare x

 

[Barton Bounty]

All I can say is it was well worth going private . The service was superb . I had a 20min appointment booked , Dr did a basic assessment and sent me for an X-ray . This was a corridor away , by the time I got back he had the results. He talked me through the X-ray so I could understand what’s going on . Right hip not too bad just a couple of bones spurs on the pelvis , but left hip is pretty rubbish . Multiple bone spurs top and bottom of pelvis , and 3 bone cysts, decent amount of arthr . Plus bone on bone at one point but not on the whole hip .
a hip replacement wouldn’t sort out all the above , although he reckons I will need one in 5 years time .
so he’s going to inject the hip.
I asked about riding and he said crack on !
So a massive thank you to you all for recommending a second opinion.
just back from a lovely evening hack on my beautiful ( and wide ) Irish Draught mare x

That sounds promising ? glad you had a lovely hack ?

 

[suebou]

Asha, I’m so pleased to hear this! My private new hip has been a massive success and riding is now virtually pain free, bit of stenosis getting in way atm but private physio is sorting it. Private wasn’t luxurious BUT was efficien, effective and fast and I wasn’t fobbed off!

 

[Xmasha]

Asha, I’m so pleased to hear this! My private new hip has been a massive success and riding is now virtually pain free, bit of stenosis getting in way atm but private physio is sorting it. Private wasn’t luxurious BUT was efficien, effective and fast and I wasn’t fobbed off!

So pleased it’s work out for you too .
I likened the private appointment to a trip to our vets . Go in get seen , get xrayed results in . Now just have to wait for the invoice ???

 

[Trouper]

All I can say is it was well worth going private . The service was superb . I had a 20min appointment booked , Dr did a basic assessment and sent me for an X-ray . This was a corridor away , by the time I got back he had the results. He talked me through the X-ray so I could understand what’s going on . Right hip not too bad just a couple of bones spurs on the pelvis , but left hip is pretty rubbish . Multiple bone spurs top and bottom of pelvis , and 3 bone cysts, decent amount of arthr . Plus bone on bone at one point but not on the whole hip .
a hip replacement wouldn’t sort out all the above , although he reckons I will need one in 5 years time .
so he’s going to inject the hip.
I asked about riding and he said crack on !
So a massive thank you to you all for recommending a second opinion.
just back from a lovely evening hack on my beautiful ( and wide ) Irish Draught mare x

Yeah - result!!! Just goes to prove the old military maxim "Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted".
So glad you have a good equine future to look forward to!!

 

[Tiddlypom]

So pleased to hear this!

That has been my experience of going private, too, it's so much quicker than the NHS route. You get the consultation and any follow scan/x rays, then follow on consultation with a plan, mostly on the same day. The same thing could drag on over many months on the NHS with multiple waitings in between each bit. Plus you get more treatment options.

 

[Xmasha]

So pleased to hear this!

That has been my experience of going private, too, it's so much quicker than the NHS route. You get the consultation and any follow scan/x rays, then follow on consultation with a plan, mostly on the same day. The same thing could drag on over many months on the NHS with multiple waitings in between each bit. Plus you get more treatment options.

Absolutely ! it would have taken several weeks to just get another xray, then another few weeks to get the results. Which would have come via the GP. It all happened within an hour with a specialist. i wish id done it sooner.
The muscoskeletal team at leighton had basically said sorry nothing can be done for you, just give up riding. Which, after seeing the specialist yesterday just feels so wrong. The NHS where just basically leaving me to get worse, and stop me doing the things i love. Now i totally understand whats going on, i know what needs doing to get me feeling better and improve my quality of life

 

[Xmasha]

Yeah - result!!! Just goes to prove the old military maxim "Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted".
So glad you have a good equine future to look forward to!!

Love that ! Thank you xx

 

[Regandal]

Glad you’re sorted! The closest the NHS gets to that around here is one day breast clinics. Mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and then results and plan from the consultant. Huge clinic but very beneficial for the patient.