I just want to commiserate and send you lots of healing jiggles/vibes as you’re going through this. It’s not only NO fun, but it sounds like you’re still in a tremendous amount of pain.
Have you had an MRI with/without contract and without NDAIDS? Have the doctors noticed anything else on your MRI such as edema?
Did the initial ablation help you?
I had RFA in 3 sites on both sides and was awake for the positioning of the probe/needle and then sedated for the actual procedure. It all happens very quickly.
Thanks Moss.
The initial ablation helped, just not for very long (approximately 3-4 mos). I’d say it helped me realize how much pain other parts of my body were in as well laughing since when that particular section of my back was no longer hurting, the rest of it hurt more. I only partially jest.
I also have a frozen shoulder, having reached into the back seat of the car to drop the mail into it and did something, and the numbness in my ring and pinky finger on that hand are almost constant as well. I did have cervical and spinal stenosis anyway, confirmed by MRI after a scorpion-type of fall in my early 30s. When they looked at those x-rays and the MRI they told me I had the spine of a 65+ year old, so 20 years later (and after whole lot more physical abuse from riding) I can’t imagine it’s not just worse.
No edema was mentioned on any MRI or CT scans that I’ve had. Just a plethora of impingement, arthritis and the labral tears. I’m not sure which of my MRIs were done on NSAIDS vs not, as they were all done at differing times. I’m sure some of them were done without NSAIDS.
I think this part of aging can just kick rocks. I’m glad people are wearing more protective gear and being matched perhaps more appropriately to horses than I was - I came from an era of “over under or through” riding over fences and “he just needs more wet saddle blankets” sorts of riding. It’s not my philosophy now but it definitely was when I was growing up. It was a mark of honor to be riding the rank ones or to have fallen in ridiculous ways. The horse world has changed a bit, and from a safety perspective I think it’s much better than it was. I’m just paying the price of being raised in that environment 
That all sounds absolutely horrible!
I also have stenosis, and it’s so painful. Nothing helps with the stenosis, and there are many days that I struggle just functioning due to the pain. My rheumatologist actually put in a referral for neurosurgery because I keep getting ruptured discs, and it’s affecting my spinal cord now. I don’t have feeling in parts of my calves.
I’m not sure how old you are (you don’t have to say), but most of your diagnoses are not “normal” for someone under 40. Stenosis is something that people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s develop. Personally, I would ask for MRIs performed with and without contrast and without NSAIDs. You have to be off NSAIDs for two weeks (it’s hell) and some other medications to show edema and inflammation. That’s how my rheumatologist discovered that I have ankylosing spondylitis. Stenosis is also common with AS. I am not saying that you have AS, but the things you are describing are usually indicative of something degenerative. It’s also hard when doctors don’t listen to you.
Yes, some things are common with aging-- DDD is “wear and tear,” and really only uncommon if you’re under the age of 20-- but most of what you’re describing is not normal wear and tear. It’s also not common with riding horses and having accidents.
I am sending all of the support that I can because I understand what it’s like to be in crippling pain and then to have doctors not support you. the AS has eaten through my AC joints and my rotator cuff. It’s so frustrating to have my MRIs and see the damage it’s done to my body. I’m thankfully on medications to help slow the progression of the AS (and now rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), but these types of things you are describing are horrible. There are honestly no words.
I’m 49. And while I’m still young on one hand, I’m not as young as I once was. But I did develop the stenosis early.
Many thoughts coming your way as well! Lupus and other autoimmune diseases like Sjogrens run on my Dad’s side of the family, so there’s definitely a chance I’ve got something autoimmune going on. In fact, that whole side of the family walked with canes & walkers by their 60s, having been through hip replacements and other arthritic issues. My Dad is the only one who so far as escaped that, but even he had spinal surgeries and quit a lot of activities that would have caused flares.
Now that I talk through it, I was also told that I should stop running in high school (I was a cross-country competitor) because my knees were degenerating, so it’s entirely possible that I have some sort of connective tissue/bone thing going on and no one has connected the dots. I really despise going in and getting poked and prodded so part of this is likely on me too. Maybe someday I’ll get over that
I’m sorry for the lack of feeling in your calves 
That is the pits.
Wow - I came here to research similar info. My problem (as a rusty stirrup rider) is just my back. And in that area, what I researched --but haven’t tried yet --was KKT wave therapy, which isn’t in the US yet - closest clinic is in Toronto, Canada. It seems to be a type of micro-vibration therapy. The results I saw were anecdotal, and relatively slow healing, but potentially impressive. I’m going to look into it myself in the coming year.
Emsella (microwave chair) therapy might also help.
Besides that, I was mostly planning to keep my butt off the saddle as much as possible by staying forward, almost two-point contact. Other than that, it’s hot baths and a dose of ibuprofen & Tylenol after taking a class!
Hope you feel better soon🙏🏽
Have you checked out that new-ish coral-based material they’re using now - CartiHeal Agili-C? I’ve seen it mentioned more re arthritic knees - not sure it’s relevant to hips…
Feel better!
Oh gosh - I’m so sorry! I hope you can assign the hay bales and feed to some one else if at all possible, and save your health for riding!
Gosh, what great advice! Thank you so much for this!
Hm, I would speak with your doctor if they will listen to you. It all depends upon when you developed the illnesses. And 49 is still young for you to have stenosis, even if you developed it early.
It’s hard to give up running, but it’s so hard on the joints. The more you share, the more it makes me wonder if something pathological is going on rather than just mechanical (if that makes sense).
I hope you get help and can manager your pain!
I participated in a clinical trial for a peptide that is some kind of disc growth factor and it was a complete game changer for me. I have a bunch of issues all over, to the point the docs thought the discs weren’t really the issue, but genuinely my pain is hugely reduced and I don’t have to live on NSAIDs anymore.
https://www.spinebiopharma.com/sb-01
Keep an eye out on it - it’s approved in japan and if it doesn’t get approved there I will fly over when it wears off. I got actual disc height back and it really relieved my back pain
I am the same age and also have been diagnosed with “mild” stenosis.
I’m 39 with stenosis 
Feel free to DM me. I’m happy to tell you what my doctors have told me.
I’m super interested in this! How was it administered?
Needle into the disc. Not my favorite experience but not as bad as getting facets injected and it worked great
I just need a moment of other horse people support.
I got massively crap news last week after an MRI of my lumbar spine… I am devastated.
The MRI overview:
The presence of:
suggest a spine that is mechanically vulnerable and unable to tolerate repetitive high-impact loading. The return of symptoms with riding, especially jumping, indicates functional overload beyond the spine’s structural tolerance, even with optimal core conditioning (I do Pilates regularly).
Prognosis:
The patient’s strong baseline fitness and neuromuscular control offer a favorable prognosis if high-impact activities are ceased. Continued participation in show jumping may significantly worsen structural changes and lead to long-term functional impairment.
I see another spinal specialist Monday, but I’m afraid it’s likely to be more a pain management situation for day to day. But, ugh, I’ve started back to my first love, jumping and have found another heart horse, which I didn’t think I’d ever find again. I’m just beyond heartbroken.
Oh CRAP Cinnybren. I’m so sorry.
I’m jingling for another spine specialist with a better prognosis, but know you’re in good company either way. We’re here to support you!
I would definitely get a second opinion and ask about the prognosis.
Otherwise, I am sending you jingles and big hugs. This type of news is so upsetting, especially since you just found another heart horse. 
Yep, seeing a second specialist Monday. Based on 1st discussion, I’m not getting my hopes too high, but you never know. 
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