Getting back in the saddle after a THR

[LMS]

I thought I would chronicle my steps into getting back into the saddle after having a THR.  I couldn't find many sources on this & am hoping this would help out others in the same situation & awaiting getting a THR.


Tomorrow marks the 3rd month post left THR anterior approach.  If you go to my thread "June 20th", you can read what physio I have done up to this point.  Today I added an adductor exercise: squeezing a thick folded pillow between my thighs/knees while lying on my back.  I squeeze & hold for 5 secs up to 10X.  I added it into my physio routine which is done 3X per day.


I've been walking off the cane more often than on & am still taking 2 extra strength Advil + 1 Tylenol #3 when needed to take the edge off the hip pain, which is once a day or every second day now.  And also, apply a frozen gel pack on the hip to help soothe the hip.


I've waited a long time to get back in the saddle (I'm at an intermediate level) & at the advice of my physiotherapist, I will take my time, pace my myself & get my hip strong.  No need to rush & risk compromising the new joint. 


In the meantime, while I'm getting myself ready, it's a good time to get the girls back into the swing of things by going over ground work.  Going back to basics is never wasted.

[LMS]

Edit: I deleted the wrong post... so here it is re-copied & pasted.

Starting week 2: Last night, I sat for 30 seconds, on an all purpose English saddle that was put on a small barrel.  This way I won't be over stretching the hips & both feet will be flat on the floor for stability while keeping the proper bend throughout the joints (hips, knees & ankles).This morning I lengthened the time to 2 minutes.  As the week goes on, I will sit several times in the saddle for a few minutes at a time.There is stiffness & some pain in the hip, which is the same I get when I do my adductor exercises.  So in time, the hip will relax.

[LMS]

I am now just past the 8th month post op & I finally crawled back up on a horse.  I decided to start small, on my 14.2hh pony (who is just as wide as my 17hh Shire BTW [/size] ).I climbed up on the big tack trunk & slowly brought the leg over, using her rump as support, as I pivoted on the THR (left hip).  It was a bit stiff but it didn't hurt.  I decided to sit on her bareback so as to let her warmth & thick coat warm my muscles to help me relax.  I got back off after a couple of minutes, just as slowly as I got on, grabbed the camera (for the obligatory ear shot of course), slinked myself back up & sat for 5 min.  Heidi stood like a rock the whole time, keeping one ear on me & one ear on her buddy that was sniffing me.[/color]

[LMS]

Past 3 days have been spent climbing atop the tack trunk, then onto the horse bareback to do 10 minutes worth of stretching & warm up at a stand still.


Other than the stiffness & lack of balance, so far so good, no pain & I have more strength in my hip than I've had in the past 10 years which very encouraging! 

[LMS]

Five days ago I decided to have a go at sitting on my pony outside & if it went well, walk around bareback.


I rode, at a walk, for a whole 5 minutes!  Woooooo!


We were super busy at our shop for the past 5 days, & as well doctor appointments for my husband & I with specialists, so didn't get a chance to sit or ride more.  Hopefully today I can sneak a ride in.


Yesterday though, I thought I would try sitting in an all purpose English saddle.  Tacked up my pony, climbed up on the trunk & for the life of me, I could not lift my leg high enough to go over the cantle.     Well that was a bummer!  Not too sure as to what to do but I'll figure something out.

[LMS]

I'm not very good at updating!  Sorry. 


Since starting a new part time job back in April, I had not had a chance to continue sitting on my horse consistently.  Both new & old hips were sore & adapting to being on my feet for a full day's work.  And in a way, it was good thing because I slowly built up strength with the new hip by going up & down grooming step stools & mounting blocks when at the store.  As well as sitting in various saddles when there was a lull.


Once in a while, I would sit on my little, yet quite wide, Appy mare.


Last week, I signed up for a fun online rider challenge.  It's meant to give moral support to fellow riders during this cold & blah time of the year, when no one really feels like spending time in the saddle, let alone play with our ponies. 


So, a week ago, when we got a temperature relief from our deep freeze, I dragged my photographer/babysitter (son) out with me to chronicle & assist if needed.  After all, my mare is still, theoretically, green.


As I walked in the deep snow in a 20 m circle before climbing aboard, I found it was easier to walk with my new hip compared to last time in March.  Once ready to climb aboard, I did the leg over the saddle & lean... well... I could do it on both sides & best of all: I could clear the cantle!!!  Back in March, I could barely lift my leg up on her rump, I was so stiff & sore.


I managed to walk around on my mare for 5 minutes with my son leading (she did not want to move).  I dismounted.  Not a pretty sight but less awkward than last March.  Walked back to the mounting area & got back on to ride for another 5 minutes.  Using a lot of leg to walk on & do w/h transitions.


Then we had crappy temperatures, so not able to go back out to play.  Today is a nice day, I may go out. 


I'll try & attach photos or videos. 

[LMS]

Had another session with my old girl on Wednesday.  This time I didn't have a babysitter, so if Fatty MacFatFat Pony wanted to send me flying, she could.


We worked on the lunge for a bit to see how she was feeling & get her to focus on transitions because getting on.  Once on, she didn't want to move.  I worked hard on trying to get her to disengage her hips & get her to go forward.  Yeah, I couldn't get more than 2 to 4 steps at a time but...  My legs had equal strength in them & I mean NORMAL strength! That felt so good!


My ROM is still iffy with the THR when straddling but the pinching annoying pain is slowly subsiding when just sitting in the saddle.  I usually give myself a few days afterwards to recoup but yesterday I felt good. And I rode for almost 15 min, which is the most I've been astride so far with no pain.  My OH mentioned I should go ride again today if that's the case.  I think I will.    [size=78%]  [/size]

[LMS]

Great 20 minute riding session today with my old, yet green mare.


Had to use a lot of leg to get her going & keep her going (all at the walk only)  THR hip area was tight & sore when I first sat in the saddle & by the end of the 20 min (with getting off & getting back on halfway), it felt fantastic!  I could've done another 5-10 minutes.  But I'm taking my time going in slow increments, I don't want any time out because I pushed to far too fast. 


Happy riding!