Possible hamstring tear - anyone have any experience with it?

[Dr_Doolittle]

Yes - I’m hoping! that they recommend something other than RICE and PT - something to assist with the healing process IOW. Ha!, yeah - I won’t *“subject” that vulnerable area to deep tissue releases for a good while

No doc (or therapist) mentioned any of this when I had my previous injuries. But I will ask specifically this time!

Ugh re: your calf. That sounds very frustrating! Luckily I don’t run (my feet are a hot mess: flat, horrid bunions, hammer toes as a result of rupturing both of my plantar plates - but I am easily able to walk and exercise on the elliptical.)

I can see how your calf could be a vulnerable area!

I had to drop out of agility class SIGH, my agility trainer is also an eventer - and has had her share of injuries (it’s funny how we talk about half halts and long spots during agility runs; non-horse people use different terms, LOL! and she asked me once whether I “liked TBs” because my Whippet is extremely horselike and athletic when it comes to agility - and loves speed!)

Alas, I signed up for another agility class this fall (have done about 10-12 with this dog) - and also a Rally class - she loves both things, but agility is her favorite. I may?? be able to do Rally?

That will depend, of course. I have a dog class that I’m going to go ahead and teach tonight - they are pretty advanced, so I can get my better students to “demo” as I walk them through new commands. I will NOT be able to take the individual dogs and work with them (which I do on the regular; it helps my students a lot!), and will need help moving equipment. My DH is going to drive me there and back, and I should be able to find a folding chair to sit on.

When I looked into PRP for my back (this was 15+ years ago), it was pricey and out of pocket - too bad to hear that it’s still considered “experimental” - which is why they won’t pay for it.

They are paying for my medical Botox, at least.

Totally agree with the taking it easy thing! I am having to find creative ways to engage/exercise my core so I don’t lose ALL of my strength and stability! Stretching is kind of off the table, and my left QL is starting to stab and ache because I am unable to stretch the hamstring on that side - let alone lie on the floor and stretch my low back out that way.

I already don’t do any vacuuming! DH still uses a heavy ass vacuum (doesn’t want to pay for a Dyson type), and it’s very hard to maneuver around - with my low back issues, leaning forward/hip hinging and pushing and pulling a “heavy weight at the end of a stick” is the worst thing I can do for myself.

Anyway - I will update this thread once I get the MRI results. Wish me luck!

FWIW, it seems a little better today. I wasn’t in as much pain when I woke up and carefully got myself out of bed and downstairs into a chair (still using the cane when going up or down all the stairs.)

[Jackie_Cochran]

Look at it this way people.

If you all had MS or Chronic Fatigue you would be moving like this all the time for the rest of your lives.

A lot of times a 3-toed sloth could beat me in a speed race without even trying to. In fact the 3-toed sloth is, in a way, an inspiration of the proper way to move when injured or physically disabled, very slowly, very deliberative, test each hand hold or where you place your feet before trusting it with your weight at all, and keeping an eye on your environment.

Healing takes TIME, often a lot of TIME. The only thing that I have used that sometimes speeds up healing is Traumeel, pill, salve or liquid, but even with that full healing takes TIME.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Yes, I am very careful when I’m moving - knowing that if I strain an injured area, healing will take even longer! (SIGH), though I am trying to move around a little and do some simple stretches. I turn into the Tin Man if I don’t move around, do some mobilizations, stretch, etc.

I ordered the Traumeel - thanks for the recommendation!

[peedin]

May 2024 I fell off the mounting block while dismounting. Ambulance ride to the ER cuz I couldn’t walk. X rays showed nothing broken. ER doc said go to PT. To add insult to injury 2 evenings later I slipped and went down the stairs on my bottom, severely bruising the tailbone.

Saw my PCP 2 weeks later. He said I probably had a small tear. Go to PT. Did PT all summer of 2024. Very stiff hamstring, could not bend over, etc. Started riding sporadically in August. Became fearful of mounting and dismounting. Finally had an MRI in February 2025. Full thickness tear. Too late for surgery.

I broke into tears when the ortho told me. He didn’t baby me but said there is no reason for stop riding and said to figure out a way to safely mount and dismount.

I’m still pissed off that NOT ONE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL suggested an MR at the time of injury. My PCP said I did not present with any reason to think I had anything but a minor tear that time would heal.

Anyway. I am back to riding. My mare is very patient with my dismounting which I will never ever again do on the mounting block. She doesn’t care if my right leg has to rest on her croup until I can swing at the rest of the way. I still mount from the mounting block . For several months, I had my instructor hold her when I mounted. Sometimes I still have my instructor stand next to me while I dismount.

Because I had limited mobility for months, every other muscle seized up. I used to do yoga and had no problem getting into figure 4 or pigeon pose. Now I can only cross my legs when sitting by hauling my leg up over my knee. I cannot sit cross legged on the floor. I walk slower now. I have to do contortions to put socks on it. It’s all a royal PITA but I adapt improvise and overcome. And a lot of time say very bad words.

I’ve decided that at age 68, every injury takes a year to fully heal.