Back injuries and effects on riding

[JustABay]

Hi all,

I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, however I’m hoping someone has some wise words or advice that can help me out.

several years ago, I was involved in a pretty serious car accident - was t-boned by a kid not paying attention and driving highway speeds on a back road.

I sustained herniations at L3, L4, L5, S1 as well as in my neck. I have spent a small fortune on physical therapy, chiro, massage, acupuncture, laser treatment, tissue release therapy as well as seeing an osteopath and nothing has helped.

I am currently on a fairly heavy painkiller daily, however the majority of my issues stem from the fact that my SI joint is basically immobile, and I have major nerve damage to my right leg and hand. The nerve damage causes my right hand to be basally dead, and my right leg often has mind of it’s own. Out of the tack, I am prone to tripping and dropping things and I struggle to hold a pen to write, among other things.

This has seriously, seriously impacted my riding. To the point where my horse is becoming unhappy and so am I. This has flared up horribly in the last year and I have watched my riding ability go down the drain. I am stiff, I can’t sit to the trot or canter anymore, and my poor horse suffers from my inability to do anything with my right hand except have it sit there.

I love riding. It makes me very happy. However it is a source of agony lately as I am regressing and there isn’t much that I feel I can do. I do yoga each night, as well as stretching to try and alleviate the tightness in my back and hips, but other than that I don’t know what else to do.

It’s frustrating. I’m angry, and I have BEGGED for surgery, which my doctor says won’t fix the issue. They have sent me to a pain management clinic which has given me more drugs.

I work with an excellent trainer who I respect and enjoy, and she has been keeping my horse tuned up for me… But man, I feel incompetent in the tack. I’ll be told 700 times to let go with my right hand and I just can’t… I have to grab mane to make myself do it because my body just… won’t. It’s killing my desire to ride and I’m wondering if I should just sell the horse (who is very talented) and buy an old plug that won’t get upset if I’m pulling on the right rein or sitting crookedly. I just don’t know how I’ll get anywhere when I’m so messed up physically.

Anyways I’m sorry for the pity party, but I just needed to get that out. Thanks for listening.

[Laurierace]

Oh my gosh, that sounds terrible. I am so sorry. Can you start over completely with a new set of doctors? Sometimes fresh eyes can find things that were missed.
As far as riding goes, only you can decide what the best course of action makes the most sense. Can your very talented horse just enjoy plugging along like a leadline pony for a while until you can get this figured out and hopefully find some relief?

[csaper58]

I’m so sorry that happened to you!!

I agree with Laurierace. A second maybe even a third opinion are in order.

Be very careful with the pain meds. Most are very habit forming, and many have depression as a side effect

Lots of COTHers have back issues, maybe you can ask for recommendations in an area? Ask for reco from any of the health care providers you see.

Have you seen a neurologist, or an orthopedist?

[Where_sMyWhite]

And what type of Dr’s have you seen?

Neurologist? Neurosurgeon? Ortho surgeon?

No worries on the pity party. We all need them occasionally.

Above all, please be safe given your already compromised spine {{}}

[Xeeboo]

I’m sorry Justabay. Its not fair what you are going through.

If its just time in the saddle that makes you happy, does your trainer have access to a smooth gaited horse trained to neck rein? Then you can let your right hand rest until the flare up settles down.

[JustABay]

Thanks everyone

I had been referred to a spinal surgeon who told me that I’m not a surgical candidate due to my age and the fact that he felt my back issues ‘should resolve’… But it’s been 5 years since I’ve seen him and they sure haven’t.

I have asked my GP for referrals to anyone who can help as I’m not interested in drugs, I want the issue fixed and I’m very willing to put in whatever work needs to be done to resolve it - be it physical therapy or whatever.

I have tried very hard to be an active advocate for myself and my care, however it really seems that doctors are more concerned with medicating rather than fixing issues.

In terms of my horse, I’m sure I could poke around on him for a while but he does need to be tuned up regularly due to my issues… Like my dead right hand makes him travel slightly bent right all the time, and my flappy right leg sometimes asks for things on its own, so he gets a little dead to the leg. Also I feel bad for him - he has been so patient with me but he’s a lot of horse to have for me to have to pack me around. He is talented and I feel like I’m wasting/ruining him and ruining all the work that’s been put into his training.

I know I’m probably over reacting but I really do miss my old life. It’s amazing how much you take for granted when you’re able bodied

[ChelseaR]

A friend who had a serious back injury with similar issues found that riding a gaited horse (lovely flat shod TWH in her case) greatly improved her ability to ride correctly and made the process much more enjoyable. You also might want to look as assisted rein devices (loops etc) that disabled riding programs use, if only as a temporary measure.

[Hobbs]

You may find the work of Dr. Stuart McGill helpful.
http://www.backfitpro.com/

[just_shoot_me]

Research spinal decompression. Some people get amazing results with it. Totally non invasive.

You can also check into working with a rolfer. I just don’t know if herniated discs are a contra-indication for rolfing. You can always research it.

[Magicboy]

Have you seen another doc yet? Maybe a rehab specialist, MD, rather than a surgeon.

[JustABay]

Thanks for the info guys - I will look into it!

Also my doctor will apparently not refer me to anyone else, other than the pain management clinic, despite my now aggressive approach to my care. For some reason it seems my doc prefers to just push pills and injections and settle the diagnosis as “chronic pain”.

I am in the process of trying to find a new doc but they are few and far between here and more often than not are not accepting new clients

[ThreeHorseNight]

Does your insurance require you to have a referral to see a specialist? If not, can you find another surgeon or other kind of specialist who will see you (some specialists will only see you when you are referred by another doctor, whether or not your insurance requires it)?

As far as riding, have you thought of having some lessons with a trainer who is experienced teaching therapeutic riding? They might even have a horse you can ride. Or is there a horse in your barn you can ride for a while? Is there an advanced rider in your barn who might enjoy riding your horse for a while?

Good luck. What a frustrating situation to be in. Don’t give up on trying to see another doctor or two or three. You definitely need some other opinions.

[beaujolais]

<I have BEGGED for surgery>

What kind of surgery would you want, exactly? Be careful, my PT says that some people regret having their back surgery every day of their life. Back surgery is super serious undertaking. Also, many discs involved kinda further complicates things. (You are not alone, I’ve got lots of them, too, as do many others here.)

I hope you feel better. Bad backs are miserable. I’ve got one, too.

<I can’t sit to the trot.>

I’d skip that, well, forever. Sitting the trot is just too much bouncing on the discs. As you know, discs unfortunately never grow back in, so no reason to stress them more. Note, that some do say they may fill in a bit with scar tissue but scar tissue is not as strong.

Methyl B (not just regular B vitamins) is supposed to be a really good vitamin for nerve problems & regeneration, btw.

Well wishes to you!

[beaujolais]

“BEGGED for surgery”

What kind of surgery are you thinking of, exactly?

Well wishes to you!

[beaujolais]

Also, I’d skip the sitting trot, well, forever. It’s too hard on the discs, imo.

[4wdNstraight]

Justabay, I’m so sorry. I was in a rear end car crash where a teenager hit me because they were texting and driving. I am a dressage rider, and now have chronic pain.m I have had one surgery, and my Dr. Said it is only a matter of time before the next. I love riding. It is one of the only things I truly enjoy, so I get where you are coming from.

That said, I think I am going to try a smoother horse than my WB. The other thing you could do s to have your horse trained to deal with your right side. I know a great Para rider who has a trainer prep her horse for her shortcomings. It is amazing what you can train a horse to do. There are different rein setups. Maybe call a Para trainer and see if they have some suggestions.

The Dr. Part is tough. Maybe get another MRI and see if things have changed? They don’t want to do a fusion? Good luck. I’m so sorry, and if you ever just want to vent, feel free to PM me anytime.

[Lydiakt]

I broke my back a little over a year ago in a similar spot to yours - I’ve found a few things helpful -

1. Time in the saddle - even at a walk. It helped me regain my sense of balance and I could figure out which joints needed more flexibility to get my position back.

2. Stick with the yoga. Yoga daily (or at least stretching) has really helped with opening my hips. I also fractured my pelvis, so my hips have been trying to figure themselves out since the accident. It’s frustrating as all hell - but it gets better.

3. Echoing Beaujolais : Accept that your sitting trot will probably never be as good as it was before. Every time I’m in a flat class and the judge calls for sitting trot I try not to sigh too loudly or make faces of annoyance. Sitting trot is my ribbon-killer.

4. As others have said: get on a horse with smoother movement. Whether that means a gaited horse or just a horse with a shorter back and smaller movement. I had to be careful when shopping for my mare - there were gorgeous big movers that I would have loved to own before my accident, but I knew if I got on them for a test ride that I’d have trouble walking the rest of the day. I definitely don’t think you need to sell yours - but maybe lease or borrow another until you feel ready to ride your own again.

5. Get doctor who understand what you’re recovering from and who genuinely want to help you reach your goals with riding. I had a doctor tell me not to bother riding again because I’d just fall and snap my spine again. I immediately switched to another who understood that riding was a huge part of my life and helped me deal with overcoming my physical limitations. I explained the accident to my trainer and they were happy to adjust their teaching style to accommodate my positional troubles without sacrificing content or making me feel like I couldn’t progress. Yours sounds like they’re willing to help you out - keep communicating your frustrations with them and they should be able to help coach you through it.

6. Don’t expect perfection overnight. I couldn’t move either of my legs for a week - then one day in therapy I wiggled a toe, then all my toes, then I could lift my leg slightly, etc. Recovery is a collection of tiny victories - don’t discount them because of their relative size, celebrate them because they happened.
   Nerves take years to heal - keep reminding your limbs of their jobs and eventually they should remember more on their own.

It’s all about finding programs that work with you and finding people who are willing to put in the effort to understand and support your goals.

Sorry for the rambling - TL;DR: You are amazing, don’t give up on anything that makes you happy, find a doctor who will help you and a horse to figure yourself out on if you’re worried about ticking off your own.

[TullyMars]

I hear you and can sympathize with you. With just changing the locations a bit, this could be me. If you want to start a support group I would be the first to join. I cannot remember a time that I am not in pain. I did have to give up riding and I seriously regret the day I ever got on that mare and got hurt. If I do ride, I pay the price for weeks and weeks for the one very limited ride. I am another one that has been told “this should all resolve”, but here I am 21 years later clearly understanding this was a life changing event. I DID have 3 surgeries however, and only one was mildly successful. The next time I have surgery it will be especially bad and as a single mother that is a sole provider…well it just is not an option. Just wanted to say I hear you. And I do know what you are going through! Stay the fight!

[JoannaHCR]

I broke my back in a car wreck when I was 15. I have a fusion from L4 through S1 and some nerve damage in my right leg, I have a really hard time stabalizing my ankle and it gives out sometimes when I’m walking–I also don’t know when I get blisters on that foot and that can get a little scary. I don’t have a whole lot of advice, but a couple things:

Find a doctor who understands riding-- my osteopath injects my lower back every year to keep my sacrum from slipping out, and encourages me to ride, his daughter rode, so when another Dr suggested I stop riding, he never referred anyone to him again.

See if you can find a physical therapist that rides dressage or something, mine was a dressage rider and gave me exercises to do on horse back to help get balanced.

And as for your horse being too much horse, if his gates are too big and he is not a fit for you, or if you think you can be a lot more comfortable on a different horse, that is one issue. But if you just worried about “wasting” his potential, please don’t. He might get annoyed about you being crooked at first, but he can learn that as his new normal if needed.

None of the horses I keep for myself to ride will reach their potential, something I struggle with mentally a lot–I work full time, travel some for work, and don’t have a perfect skeleton. But they will be well cared for, they will be loved and appreciated–and provided they mind their manners, they will be given cookies.
Hope some part of this helps in any sort of small way. I’m wishing you all the best. Also, the sitting trot sucks all around.

[Nadia]

I had L4-5 fused 2.5 years ago…I suffered through the pain for many years, with drugs and injections. I got by… I rode… slowly the nerve damage made me so weak I couldn’t climb stairs without pulling myself up with with my arms.I was falling because I have a drop foot, and loss of balance. I had a great surgeon and successful surgery, and the pain is gone. The nerve damage has improved some, but I will never be normal because I waited too long . Your symptoms are severe, waiting years for them to resolve may be too late. I was advised to go for a neurosurgeon, not an ortho surgeon