Riding with Knee replacements

Smilie · 10-27-2009, 12:40 PM

Hi
I am schedualed to have my first knee replaced this Nov30. Both knees are bone on bone, yet I ride without much pain and had a good show season
I don't walk without pain,and my knees are quite bowed.
My fear is not being able to ride and show after the surgery. Horses have always been my life
While my days of putting the first 30 days or so on a colt are over, I still enjoy showing and riding my two well broke horses, plus schooling a few greener ones
I know John Lyons had both knees replaced, and apparently is riding
I have tried to find his article on the subject without success, and would appreciate if anyone can give me the link
All stories , both positive and not so positive will be greatly appreciated

Tobiesmom · 10-27-2009, 01:51 PM

Best of luck on your upcoming surgery. I've had both knees done and have returned to riding. I even plan to do a bit of showing next summer (western and hunt seat).

My only limitation is in mounting. I use a mounting block when riding in the arena and a combination of a portable mounting block and a longer drop-down stirrup when trail riding. My knees are great for walking and climbing stairs - but they are a bit weak when I'm trying to step up higher than my own knee level, and the arthritis I have in my ankles doesn't let me 'push off' from the ground like I used to. I'm planning to work on my mounting this winter so that I could mount all by myself in an emergency.

I try to be careful not to jar myself as I dismount and I keep running on foot to a minimum. But, I have no problem jogging about enough to show a halter horse or in showmanship. I didn't have any knee pain either when I rode (before surgery) and I am just a pain-free after. You'll love having straight legs again. My one knee was bowed, the other knock-kneed. Given that you have managed to stay active even while 'bone-on-bone' - I'm sure you'll have a great result. (I was actually completely unable to walk - was in a wheel chair the last 2 months before surgery) Just follow every instruction your doctor and therapist gives you. Don't try to be super human - but don't lay in bed pouting either! It will be the best thing you've done for yourself!!

Smilie · 10-27-2009, 03:33 PM

Thanks, Tobiesmom

I mount with a mounting block now anyway
How long did it take you to feel comfortable doing chores? Hubby will need to look after my horses while I am laid up, but I worry of course, since I'm the horse person and feed, trim feet as well as notice when any horse is off-such as impaction colic, which we seem to have one case of at least every winter
I hate, hate being unable to do things and usually push myself, but know I cannot with this surgery
Glad to hear that you are going to be showing again.

Funyfarm · 10-27-2009, 04:53 PM

I'm not having a replacement YET... i'm sure those days are coming though.. however I've had ACL reconstructive surgery and was on my older gelding with in a month. that was two years ago.. I have since messed it up again and am now trimming as well... I'm having the MCL done this time on November 25th... Figuring i'll be back in the saddle doing some penning in a month.. we'll see.. I do have a brace that I wear to keep it all together.

Let me know how the replacement goes and how your feeling.

chery · 10-27-2009, 09:00 PM

my knees are bone on bone and im only 24! bad knees run in the family, mine pop extremly loud when i kneel down and hurt like hell, so i know im getting them soon, i will always ride no matter what! so i say do it! lots of people do!

joustinggirl · 10-28-2009, 04:14 AM

Yay for this topic. I just had my ACL repaired and was wondering about barrel racing, jousting and the mounting question woke me up in the middle of the night last night. I am almost 3 weeks out from my surgery so I am still in this crazy brace.

jjsimsez · 10-28-2009, 04:32 AM

thanks for this topic. ive wondered too. i will eventually need a replacement. i had a riding accident that damaged my knee, when i was younger.happened 20 yrs ago. about 10 yrs ago i jammed it and i could barely walk for a month. they wanted me to see a surgeon back then. i want to wait till im older. it dont hurt unless hit or something. good luck on surgury and let us know how well it works out for ya.

Jen&Jack · 10-28-2009, 07:49 AM

I have not had them replaced, but I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee. There were bone fragments under my knee cap from an old injury and it destroyed my cartilage. My tendons are also too tight and they released some of the tension.
My knee is probably 93% of what it was. I have arthritis, which hurts when the weather changes but it's not too bad. It has taken me a long time to get the strength back in that leg because they had to cut through muscle and it takes a long time to develop it after that. Western saddles w/stiff fenders kill me on a long ride, but softer broken in fenders make a world of difference. I normally have to stand still for just a few moments when I dismount after a long ride to get my knee back under me. I use a mounting block anyway because it's better for the horse, and I don't have a problem mounting from the ground because it's my right knee and all I have to do is swing it over. One thing that made a HUGE difference for me was Physical Therapy. I took 4 months of physical therapy, 2 before and 2 after surgery. A friend didn't do her PT and has a fraction of her original mobility and strength. Do the exercises at home too, they work!

Smilie · 10-29-2009, 11:18 AM

Thanks, everyone for the encouragement and good thoughts!
I hear of people getting back to riding around 8 weeks after knee replacement
Hope I can be among them!
The inability to look after my horses in the recovery time will be hell.
I will need to trust hubby to do the chores as I tell him too.
If I bite the bullet, will trim all feet just before on all of the horses and hope I will be able to do the trimming again afterwards
I have been doing the high performance barefoot trim, and have made real progress on my two special ones with re habilitation. I don't want anyone else trimming them
Gee, not even in surgery yet, but already hate the limitations, esp after reading some stories on knee replacement forums
Need to hear some more great recovery and riding stories to give me courage to go ahead!

barnmom · 10-29-2009, 08:15 PM

Good luck with your surgery, you should be good as new in no time and feeling better and pain free. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to ride. Your comfort level should be much better too.

Smilie · 03-13-2010, 10:50 PM

Hi
Thought an updaTE was in order
I had bi-lateral knee replacements on Nov 30/09
I have ridden my horse and find I have no problem getting my legs on her and riding effectively.
I plan on showing as usual this year. Probably my English riding (posting should improve, as the pain will be gone
Thanks to Tobysmom, who has given me lots of encouragement

mingiz · 03-14-2010, 07:23 AM

Congrats!!! on your successfull recovery!!!
I myself will probably have knee replacements. I'm working on a TFCC tear in my wrist for now...Had surgery on it back on 11/08 and have had issues with it since. So getting ready to go get that 2nd opinion. But I think I will have to have it re-fixed again.... It really stinks when our parts wear out....

Smilie · 03-14-2010, 07:25 PM

Thanks, Minqiz!
I agree that it sucks when our parts wear out!
I keep thinking back when I was young, and my mother told me that one day I would regret how hard I was on my body. I just shugged it off. Lots of horse wreaks, skiing,etc and the old knees were bone on bone, plus very bowed.
I could still ride, so I put it off to the point that it was have them replaced or look to a future in a wheelchair
While I would love to have my own joints, having replacements was the only option, so I decided to make the best of the situation, and worked hard at recovery, determined to get my life back-which means riding
I;m back to trimming all of the horse's feet, doing the chores and riding when I can get to sAFE GROUND.
Don't want to risk a horse falling with me at this point
Nice to have straight legs again and walk normal. Now I just have to learn to trust these new knees!
Good luck on your future surgeries!

Tobiesmom · 03-15-2010, 02:01 PM

So wonderful to hear the update Smilie!! I'm getting ready to take some lessons before embarking on the show season (getting ready for the first shows on May 1 and 2) and can't wait! I'm so glad you have returned to riding - and it sounds like you are doing wonderfully! I'm glad to have been of help to you. Us horse gals are pretty tough - and we'll do just about anything to keep on riding!!! Keep us posted through the show season!!!

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10-27-2009, 12:40 PM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 258	Riding with Knee replacements Hi I am schedualed to have my first knee replaced this Nov30. Both knees are bone on bone, yet I ride without much pain and had a good show season I don't walk without pain,and my knees are quite bowed. My fear is not being able to ride and show after the surgery. Horses have always been my life While my days of putting the first 30 days or so on a colt are over, I still enjoy showing and riding my two well broke horses, plus schooling a few greener ones I know John Lyons had both knees replaced, and apparently is riding I have tried to find his article on the subject without success, and would appreciate if anyone can give me the link All stories , both positive and not so positive will be greatly appreciated __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

10-27-2009, 01:51 PM
Tobiesmom Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 579	Best of luck on your upcoming surgery. I've had both knees done and have returned to riding. I even plan to do a bit of showing next summer (western and hunt seat). My only limitation is in mounting. I use a mounting block when riding in the arena and a combination of a portable mounting block and a longer drop-down stirrup when trail riding. My knees are great for walking and climbing stairs - but they are a bit weak when I'm trying to step up higher than my own knee level, and the arthritis I have in my ankles doesn't let me 'push off' from the ground like I used to. I'm planning to work on my mounting this winter so that I could mount all by myself in an emergency. I try to be careful not to jar myself as I dismount and I keep running on foot to a minimum. But, I have no problem jogging about enough to show a halter horse or in showmanship. I didn't have any knee pain either when I rode (before surgery) and I am just a pain-free after. You'll love having straight legs again. My one knee was bowed, the other knock-kneed. Given that you have managed to stay active even while 'bone-on-bone' - I'm sure you'll have a great result. (I was actually completely unable to walk - was in a wheel chair the last 2 months before surgery) Just follow every instruction your doctor and therapist gives you. Don't try to be super human - but don't lay in bed pouting either! It will be the best thing you've done for yourself!!

10-27-2009, 03:33 PM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 258	Thanks, Tobiesmom I mount with a mounting block now anyway How long did it take you to feel comfortable doing chores? Hubby will need to look after my horses while I am laid up, but I worry of course, since I'm the horse person and feed, trim feet as well as notice when any horse is off-such as impaction colic, which we seem to have one case of at least every winter I hate, hate being unable to do things and usually push myself, but know I cannot with this surgery Glad to hear that you are going to be showing again. __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

10-27-2009, 04:53 PM
Funyfarm Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leduc Posts: 19	I'm not having a replacement YET... i'm sure those days are coming though.. however I've had ACL reconstructive surgery and was on my older gelding with in a month. that was two years ago.. I have since messed it up again and am now trimming as well... I'm having the MCL done this time on November 25th... Figuring i'll be back in the saddle doing some penning in a month.. we'll see.. I do have a brace that I wear to keep it all together. Let me know how the replacement goes and how your feeling.

10-27-2009, 09:00 PM
chery Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 130	my knees are bone on bone and im only 24! bad knees run in the family, mine pop extremly loud when i kneel down and hurt like hell, so i know im getting them soon, i will always ride no matter what! so i say do it! lots of people do! __________________ Three barrels, two hearts, one dream!

10-28-2009, 04:14 AM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,811	Yay for this topic. I just had my ACL repaired and was wondering about barrel racing, jousting and the mounting question woke me up in the middle of the night last night. I am almost 3 weeks out from my surgery so I am still in this crazy brace. __________________ Pink Tiger says 'Grrrrrr'

10-28-2009, 04:32 AM
jjsimsez Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: indiana Posts: 952	thanks for this topic. ive wondered too. i will eventually need a replacement. i had a riding accident that damaged my knee, when i was younger.happened 20 yrs ago. about 10 yrs ago i jammed it and i could barely walk for a month. they wanted me to see a surgeon back then. i want to wait till im older. it dont hurt unless hit or something. good luck on surgury and let us know how well it works out for ya.

10-28-2009, 07:49 AM
Jen&Jack Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 170	I have not had them replaced, but I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee. There were bone fragments under my knee cap from an old injury and it destroyed my cartilage. My tendons are also too tight and they released some of the tension. My knee is probably 93% of what it was. I have arthritis, which hurts when the weather changes but it's not too bad. It has taken me a long time to get the strength back in that leg because they had to cut through muscle and it takes a long time to develop it after that. Western saddles w/stiff fenders kill me on a long ride, but softer broken in fenders make a world of difference. I normally have to stand still for just a few moments when I dismount after a long ride to get my knee back under me. I use a mounting block anyway because it's better for the horse, and I don't have a problem mounting from the ground because it's my right knee and all I have to do is swing it over. One thing that made a HUGE difference for me was Physical Therapy. I took 4 months of physical therapy, 2 before and 2 after surgery. A friend didn't do her PT and has a fraction of her original mobility and strength. Do the exercises at home too, they work!

10-29-2009, 11:18 AM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 258	Thanks, everyone for the encouragement and good thoughts! I hear of people getting back to riding around 8 weeks after knee replacement Hope I can be among them! The inability to look after my horses in the recovery time will be hell. I will need to trust hubby to do the chores as I tell him too. If I bite the bullet, will trim all feet just before on all of the horses and hope I will be able to do the trimming again afterwards I have been doing the high performance barefoot trim, and have made real progress on my two special ones with re habilitation. I don't want anyone else trimming them Gee, not even in surgery yet, but already hate the limitations, esp after reading some stories on knee replacement forums Need to hear some more great recovery and riding stories to give me courage to go ahead! __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

10-29-2009, 08:15 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,995	Good luck with your surgery, you should be good as new in no time and feeling better and pain free. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to ride. Your comfort level should be much better too. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

03-13-2010, 10:50 PM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 258	Hi Thought an updaTE was in order I had bi-lateral knee replacements on Nov 30/09 I have ridden my horse and find I have no problem getting my legs on her and riding effectively. I plan on showing as usual this year. Probably my English riding (posting should improve, as the pain will be gone Thanks to Tobysmom, who has given me lots of encouragement __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

03-14-2010, 07:23 AM
mingiz Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern MD Posts: 763	Congrats!!! on your successfull recovery!!! I myself will probably have knee replacements. I'm working on a TFCC tear in my wrist for now...Had surgery on it back on 11/08 and have had issues with it since. So getting ready to go get that 2nd opinion. But I think I will have to have it re-fixed again.... It really stinks when our parts wear out.... __________________ Never Ride Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly **Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.... 1 TWHBEA, 1 Missouri Fox Trotter 03 Exiss Event 3H ,06 F250 extcab 6.0**

03-14-2010, 07:25 PM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 258	Thanks, Minqiz! I agree that it sucks when our parts wear out! I keep thinking back when I was young, and my mother told me that one day I would regret how hard I was on my body. I just shugged it off. Lots of horse wreaks, skiing,etc and the old knees were bone on bone, plus very bowed. I could still ride, so I put it off to the point that it was have them replaced or look to a future in a wheelchair While I would love to have my own joints, having replacements was the only option, so I decided to make the best of the situation, and worked hard at recovery, determined to get my life back-which means riding I;m back to trimming all of the horse's feet, doing the chores and riding when I can get to sAFE GROUND. Don't want to risk a horse falling with me at this point Nice to have straight legs again and walk normal. Now I just have to learn to trust these new knees! Good luck on your future surgeries! __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

03-15-2010, 02:01 PM
Tobiesmom Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 579	So wonderful to hear the update Smilie!! I'm getting ready to take some lessons before embarking on the show season (getting ready for the first shows on May 1 and 2) and can't wait! I'm so glad you have returned to riding - and it sounds like you are doing wonderfully! I'm glad to have been of help to you. Us horse gals are pretty tough - and we'll do just about anything to keep on riding!!! Keep us posted through the show season!!!