Over 50 Gang

Re: back surgery

Dancing — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:25:13 GMT

It sounds as if you're off to a good start, Jo. I used Pilates to get myself back after my back surgery, too. I am hooked, even now these many years later! I think I'm going to look into a gel seat... had never thought of it.

Hope you'll be writing us about your marvelous rides, soon!

Re: back surgery

reinchick53 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:24:31 GMT

Best wishes to a speedy recover, Jo! Just don't get discouraged, the limited things you can do right now can get your very down, especially when you can't go out and ride to reclaim your sanity. You will get there.

Re: back surgery

jobug — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:49:36 GMT

Hello reinchick53,

Thank you so much for your encouragment, and words of wisdom. It is so encouraging to hear from others who have faced these challenges and overcome them. I am planning to work with a Pilates instructor to help with my core strength (when my doctor allows). Thanks for the advice on the gel seat. I had not thought of it but it makes sense! I hope it is only 6 months before I can ride again. It will depend on how solid the bone developement looks on the xrays. Thanks again and best wishes for your recovery. Please let us all know how it goes for you. Jo

Re: back surgery

reinchick53 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:29:21 GMT

Hi Jo-

Glad to hear you are on your way to recovery. I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts.

I had fusion surgery on my neck 1 month ago. I tried everything to avoid it as I was so afraid it would be the beginning of the end, but my nephew who is a fire fighter had me speak to two of his fellow workers who had had low back fusion surgery and they are both back to doing their jobs fully, water skiing, weight lifting, surfing, etc with no problems. That helped encourage me to go ahead and I am sooo glad I did. The debilitating pain and loss of use of my right arm are gone and I am already back to riding with Dr.'s permission (he said everything is so well screwed together he doesn't think I can hurt it!). Granted, this is neck and not low back so my recovery is faster, but I think you will be fine too. I did a lot of research on recovery time before I did the surgery and found that the usual recovery time before being allowed to ride was 3 months for neck surgery and 6 months for low back.

As others mentioned before, the firemen warned me that I would always have to keep up on exercise to keep core muscles strengthened for support. Learn proper lifting and bending techniques to avoid injury.

One more suggestion I found on the web was to get a gel seat for my saddle to help absorb some of the trot bounce. I started out riding at the walk after having someone else warm my horse up for me. Then I did just a little trotting, slow jog, moved up to posting the faster trot and went on to loping. I am a little sore after riding, so I only ride every other day or so to allow time to recover. I hope you are back into the saddle before long, but do take your time to heal!

Re: back surgery

jobug — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:37:20 GMT

Hi Dancing,

Thank you for your kind thoughts and reminder to update my postings. I had surgery about 5 weeks ago and am doing well now after having had some minor complications. I'm already out setting gopher traps in the pasture, and brushing my horses. Obviously I can't lead my horses anywhere yet, nor am I doing most of the normal chores. The doctor has told me to let pain be my guide as to what I otherwise do. I started back to work (I have my own private therapy practice) this week on a limited basis. I'm walking to strengthen my back. It will most likely be a years recovery before I can ride again but at least I feel like I'm now on the uphill side. Thanks again for thinking of me. I'll report periodically on my progress. Jo

Re: back surgery

Dancing — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:57:24 GMT

I've been thinking about you and hoping things are still going well. Please let us know how your October appointment goes.

Re: back surgery

cullen18 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:20:41 GMT

Jobug,

I hope this message isn't too late. I had L5-S1 fusion on 4/13/09. My surgeon performed a relatively new procedure called "AxiaLif." It's the same concept as the traditional surgerys but it's incredibly minimally invasive. I have two one inch incisions. I was in the hospital for 3 days, should have just been an overnighter but my blood pressure didn't want to cooperate. I cooked dinner every night as I just kept everything up on the counter where I didn't have to bend. I returned to work after 8 weeks out on recovery. I'm practically pain free. The only aches I have are from my core muscles weakening while I wore the backbrace. That's getting better as I increase my activity level. I go for my 6 month check-up in October and should be cleared to ride again. If you haven't already had your procedure, please look into the AxiaLif method. It has been wonderful to me. If you've already had your surgery, I hope all is going well for you.

Jessica

Re: back surgery

sharmanv — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:59:06 GMT

Sorry that you have to go through surgery, but a positive attitude is the best medicine for recovery! Will definitely keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Even though you can't ride, keep petting and brushing those horses, it's good for all of you! :)

Re: back surgery

BarbN2009 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:41:27 GMT

Dear Jobug,

So sorry that other alternatives didn't work out for you. Best of luck with your surgery. It has taken awhile but I have had great success following my fusion. Granted, I had an acute injury and didn't have chronic pain as you have but I have heard from many people with chronic back pain that the surgery brings almost instant pain relief. I sincerely hope this will be true for you as well.

Barb

Re: back surgery

jobug — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:37:05 GMT

Hello to all!

Just wanted to update all the nice folks who have taken time to write about experiences with back pain. I've really appreciated hearing the many stories. Makes me realize how fortunate I've been in my life with fairly good physical health. I went through the series of shots but unfortunely the effects only lasted a couple weeks. I tried riding a month after the third injection but it was still painful, even at a walk. I stopped trying, and sadly cleaned up all the tack in anticipation of a year long furlough for the horses. Two weeks later the pain started to return. I have scheduled the disc fusion surgery for August 11th. I know some of you will be appalled, and some will applude, but I hope you will say a little prayer for me. Thank you all again and I will post my recovery. Sincerely, jobug

Re: back surgery

sharmanv — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:55:49 GMT

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your back problem. I have had back problems most of my life, diagnosed with scoliosis, wore a Milwaukee brace, (chin to below buttocks brace) for two years as a teenager to prevent further curvature. I experienced severe back muscle spasms througout my life and now have a herniated disc in lower spine. I have never let any of this stop me from doing anything. In fact, it has driven me to ride my bike and learn to drive with that brace on, lift weights since I was 20 years old, and ride horses! I did not have surgery but I went to physical therapy and learned the exercises to strengthen my "core" muscles. I also had the shots for quite awhile until I healed. I continue to do the exercises. It's a lifelong commitment to taking care of myself. I still ride my horse! I would encourage anyone to really give physical therapy a real chance, you have to do the exercises at home every day not just at the sessions for it to work.

Good luck to you. Keep riding, it's great for your muscles, mind and soul.

Re: back surgery

Bassmaster031 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:38:49 GMT

my uncle had the same problem as you what he did is he waited til his physicl therapist said he was all clear to do what he wanted so if you are not seeeing a phusical therapists a strongly rcomend that you see one to check on your back condition

Re: back surgery

Highrider — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:18:01 GMT

Hi. I just back to riding after more than 30 years. The first thing I did was look up on the internet back pain as related to riding horses. All I found was possitive information on how horse back riding was a great help to back pain. The rythym of the horse works as a soothing and massaging effect on the back. Since I started riding my back feels great. I had a herniated disc about 15 years ago and have to be careful lifting and bending over certain ways, but riding is great!

Re: back surgery

jobug — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:10:20 GMT

Dear Barb,

Thank you so much for taking time to share your story. It is inspirational you would even consider riding again after such a fall. My back problems are from degenerative disease, and most likely progressive with time. Of course, most of my doctors have told me not to ride again as well. It's interesting to note, as you may have noted as well, the common denomiator for improvement in back pain, whether surgery or not, seems to be improving core strength. Interesting since most riders, myself included, consider ourselves to have very strong abdominal muscles. Goes to show what we know, huh!

I may have to switch my style of riding and also the horses. At the moment I've just finished the second epi shot and started physical therapy. I have okay days, and as the shot wears off (if this is the pattern to be), I revert to having more pain. But I'm hopeful time and therapy will make it tolerable to ride, and resume my life. Right now my husband gets to move the hay, dump the manure wheelburrow each day, and weed whack the property. I'm still feeding, grooming, picking up manure, and lunging the horses (much to the displeasure of my PT and the doctors). And, might as well admit it, still do most of the gardening. I've given up housework - can't strain the back! There is one silver lining anyway.

Thank you again for your time. It's been so great to hear from so many people. Horse people seem to be that way though. Mostly kind and willing to share. Best of luck with your new horse. jobug PS Tried to send this originally to you last Sunday but would not deliver; have no idea why not. Thanks again, jobug

Re: back surgery

BarbN2009 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:11:44 GMT

Hi Jobug,

I am 57 and had a bad fall from my horse 3 years ago, sustaining a burst fracture of my L2 vertebra. I had reconstructive surgery of the vertebra and a T12-L4 fusion. My orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, rehab doctor, chiropractor, and physical therapists were all of the opinion I should never ride again.

I too had concerns that my back would be too stiff and that I would not be able to sit the trot. I thought I should probably get a smooth gaited horse like a Tennessee Walker, which my cousin with back trouble now rides after years of riding hunter-jumpers.

But I recently bought a fabulous 19 year old quarter horse gelding and have resumed riding after nearly 3 years. I have found to my surprise that my seat is just fine, that I am not catapulted out of the saddle with each stride, and that my back does not hurt. I believe that improving my core strength with pilates is responsible for this.

Since my fusion is higher up, our results might not be the same but I thought this might be helpful. Also, consider my cousin's suggestion to switch to a Tennessee Walker.

Good luck!

Barb