Menu

Stay in Touch
Sign up for ENews
Subscribe Now

Unlimited access >

Menu

Pelvic Fracture- Recovery Time

Hunter/Jumper
#1

I was at a show three weeks ago and during my warm up round my horse misjudged the fence and landed in the middle of the fence. I fell off and hit the ground hard. It was a freak accident. Even though I was in pain I did get back on and managed to jump around in my 3 foot over fences class. I have no idea how I did that. It must have been the adrenaline.

Anyways after a week of pain and having trouble walking I went to get x-rays and I found out I did break the Inferior Ramus all the way through. I am lucky in a way in that it is a non-displaced fracture and that I don’t need surgery. The doctor told me I have to be non-weight baring for 6 weeks using crutches only and I won’t be able to ride for 3 to 4 months. :frowning:

For those of you who have had a pelvic fracture how long did it take before you could ride again?

#2

I had just a crack. I think I was back on a horse in about two months, or maybe a bit longer. It was a solid four months until I didn’t feel at least a twinge every single day. It’s a drag, for sure. But once healed, it hasn’t bothered me at all, knock wood.

Good luck!!

#3

Thank you MHM. :slight_smile:

#4

I fractured my pelvis at a show in May. I was not allowed to ride for 12 weeks. I was on crutches for 7 weeks but part of that time was 1 crutch.

I had a non displaced fracture of my superior ramus. I also had pain in my right leg that was never really diagnosed. That prolonged my time on crutches.

I rode at 12 weeks and didn’t jump for the first week or 2. But, I went to a show about 6 weeks after I started back. The show was the first time I jumped a full course, or even a line. Had a little pain but nothing horrible. Just got home from a show today and I didn’t have any pain at all - I am 5 months out now. (And my ortho, who I didn’t care for, told me in 5 months it would be like it never happened.)

#5

You’re welcome. Mind you, I was limping around with a cane for the first few weeks. Dead, dead, dead lame. Probably 4 out of 5 on the vet’s scale to start. But now it’s nothing more than a bad memory, about five years down the road. :slight_smile:

#6

I fractured mine at home by getting spun off of a very athletic gelding. I was back in the saddle 6 months later (it could have been earlier but we were traveling for the summer.) My first time back riding I WTC and jumped around 2 courses like it had never even happened. That was 4 years ago and I’ve never had an issue with it since. Best of luck on your healing!

#7

Thank you for your replies. :slight_smile: I know it could have been worst but it really stinks not being able to ride my horse until January or February. I go back to the doctor in three weeks. I am hoping he will give me good news.

#8

Good luck with the doctor! I will say the one upside to my experience was that it gave me a whole new appreciation for my normal level of soundness.

#9

Yep, I was so upset to find out that I couldn’t ride for 3 months. But, I certainly didn’t feel like riding for at least 9 weeks! Once I was off crutches and doing most of the things I usually do, it was hard to not ride. But, until then, I was in no shape to even think about riding.

I agree with MHM that you realize how much you take or granted on a daily basis! Once I was able to resume all my normal activities, I was really appreciative of being able to do them (even things like cleaning stalls!)

#10

HI, My friend was riding my warmblood and he likes to get all bronc at random times and she came off hard. Multiple small fractures to pelves. I swear it was the worst but she was up and running in a month and after 2 to 3 riding and now like nothing happened. She is 55 too, we are not young so if you are than itll be quicker

#11

I had a bad fall of my gelding and broke my pelvis in 3 places requiring surgery, bolts and screws. I was in a walker for 8 wks, back to walking the horse at 3 months and back into full riding by 4 months, but still had some residual pain for up to 12 months afterwards. Still have some minor pain once in a while, but I have a LOT of hardware. You’ll be back sooner than you know it, it’s really quite amazing how quickly the body heals.

#12

I got bucked off on Labor day 2017 and had a padlock in my back pocket. I landed on my butt and broke my pelvis in 3 places non displaced. I was on crutches 4 weeks, a cane for one week and back on the horse. Started hunting again (am a whipper in) and rode calmly for the first 2 hunts with an escort. At six weeks and 2 days I was back hunting at full speed on a 4yo and he spooked at hounds coming out of the corn. I fell off and was hung from the stirrups but was fine. Do not take this as a recommendation because I am fairly crazy but at 7 weeks am hunting and doing beginner arena polo. I take large doses of calcium and vitamin D and Dr. says I heal like a teenager. They did not give me permission to ride specifically. This is not baldfaceboyz but her boyfriend.

1 Like
#13

Thank you everyone. I went back to the doctor a couple of days ago and found out the bone shifted a little bit so it is now displaced. :frowning: I have to be on bed rest for a week. I have a feeling this is going to be a long healing process. :frowning:

#14

Jingles for a good recovery, now be a good patient for as long as you need to be.

#15

I am following these pelvic fracture stories. Here is my story: I am sixty, not terribly fit but a competent rider who has ridden all my life. I got a new horse who is 4 but very quiet. we were at our first show (not hers–she has been going out all summer with a young rider) and I decided to just ride Training One (which has the canter circle at A, the age). All was great, but as we passed A, she made an edit, I lost my balance and came off. A trip to the hospital and CT scan showed only an old injury. Today, exactly one week later, an MRI shows a triple non-displaced fracture to my pelvis and some tears. I am trying to figure out how to move ahead. This is such a terrible drag for me. I am grateful for these stories.

#16

I had a non displaced fracture and subluxation of my SI joint when I was 20. I was pretty much bed bound for the first month. The doctor told me no riding for 12 weeks but I was back on a horse after 8. It seemed fine at the time but now 10 years later I’m regretting it. I struggle with muscle problems all around my SI area and the joint itself is weak and prone to subluxation. Please, please listen to your doctors and don’t make my mistake

#17

When dealing with fractures whether pelvis or anything else, keep in mind that as we age, healing takes longer.

Also keep in mind that when it comes to our bodies, Sins of the past, return in the future.

Give yourself time to heal properly.

Get your Digital Subscription here - only $21.95 / year

Subscribe here
See gift options

Sign up to our monthly newsletter!

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.

Copyright © 2023 The Chronicle of the Horse