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Rdoscher
Rdoscher
NECK FRACTURE
Nov 6 2009, 7:32 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2009, 7:32 PM EST
Had a bad fall from my horse two weeks ago. Fractured and dislocated C4/C5. Surgery was successful with no loss of function. Dr say not to ride again - don't thing that's going to happen. Any success stories of comebacks from injuries of this type and suggestions for protective riding gear would be very appreciated. Thanks

Richard Do you find this valuable?    
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MustangMike
MustangMike
1. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 7 2009, 1:37 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 7 2009, 1:37 PM EST
17 years ago, a horse blasted through a gate opening and smashed my left knee to smitherines... doc said I'd never ride again. First thing I taught my horse was to kneel so I didn't have to use a stirrup to mount... then I taught him to be mounted from the "wrong" side. Been riding 6-8 times a day ever since. Don't use stirrups very much... hurts alot. Never say never, but the neck fracture is a little more serious... make sure you're on a good horse you can trust.

Good luck,

Michael
 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

Toomanyhorses
2. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 11 2009, 10:35 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 11 2009, 10:35 AM EST
Most surgeons will not agree to riding and fear liability if approving it and then further injury occurs. I would do online research and also look for another opinion from a doctor that rides or sports therapist. I think Al Dunning had some type of spine fracture. Also, I like the book "The Rider's Pain Free Back" by James Warson. It is pretty thorough and includes exercises and written by an orthopedic surgeon that rides. Choose a very trusted, quiet horse to build confidence and retrain muscles. Keep us informed. Jane 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Horsestudent
Horsestudent
3. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 11 2009, 11:06 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 11 2009, 11:06 AM EST
Most likely, your doctor is afraid you might injure your neck again if you have another fall, because it is now more rigid (maybe with pins or plates in it too?). I agree with those who recommend you ride a horse that can be considered as close to "bombproof" as possible. As we all know, horsebackriding has a very therapeutic effect - for both body and mind - just as long as there are no accidents... I was diagnosed with degenerative neck disease a few months ago. It causes me headaches and nausea, but so far the gentle rocking motion on a relaxing trail ride actually works as a cure for those symptoms.

Anyway, you shouldn't have to give up something you love doing! I dislocated my elbow falling off a horse years ago. The doctor told me I couldn't ride for two months. Fortunately, he never found out that I was back in the saddle 8 days later (on old trusty horses), with my arm in a sling. It was a risk, but I believe I healed faster staying active - and happy.

Hope you recover fast too! Do you find this valuable?    
Nancyhudson
Nancyhudson
4. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 11 2009, 1:14 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 11 2009, 1:14 PM EST
Richard, so sorry to hear about your accident. Safety is always a big issue with animals, especially horses. My husband rstill rides and he suffered a broken neck from a car accident. The biggest thing was he let it heal for quite awhile before he started riding again. I'm going to check out the book that Jane suggested. I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and some days I can hardly walk, but refuse to quit riding!!! Sally Swift had bad back problems and wrote the book "Centered Riding" to help her back and riding problems. She lived about 20 miles from me when I lived in Vermont. She was quite a lady and Horse person. I noticed that Chris Cox also does centered riding ,can't all be bad. I know that Doctors think that riding isn't safe or good for bad backs & spines, but I think we can tell what our limits are. The horses are theraputic in more ways that one. what do you think? Nancy Do you find this valuable?    
marianloveshorses
marianloveshorses
5. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 13 2009, 5:41 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 13 2009, 5:41 PM EST
Richard,
I too have had a fractured neck from riding. Chris told me that since I have had an injury to never ride without a helmet. The accident was 15 years ago and I am still going strong. Take it easy now. I know how bad it hurts. Do you find this valuable?    
Rdoscher
Rdoscher
6. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 14 2009, 5:59 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 14 2009, 5:59 PM EST
My thanks to all of you who responded and provided advice to me. Happy Trails:)

Richard Do you find this valuable?    
Nancyhudson
Nancyhudson
7. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 19 2009, 12:56 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 19 2009, 12:56 PM EST
Hi Richard, Just checking in on you to see how you are feeling. Hope your recovery is coming along quickly. I hope you are not in alot of pain. Take care and let us all know how you are doing. Nancy Do you find this valuable?    
Rdoscher
Rdoscher
8. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 20 2009, 5:44 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 20 2009, 5:44 PM EST
"Hi Richard, Just checking in on you to see how you are feeling. Hope your recovery is coming along quickly. I hope you are not in alot of pain. Take care and let us all know how you are doing. Nancy"
Each day is getting a little better. I have some limitation of movement in my left arm; however, the dr says it will pass. He said I should expect a recovery period of from 6 to 8 months. I miss riding! On a sad note, my wife had to put her horse down a couple of weeks ago. Sad all around:( Do you find this valuable?    
BethKloes
BethKloes
9. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Nov 24 2009, 9:09 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 24 2009, 9:09 PM EST
sorry to hear about your wife's horse having to be put down. A part of our heart goes with that animal.
hope you are mending. Do what ever therapy the docs give you. Being a nurse the rehab is the most important part of the recuperation to a total recovery. God bless! Richard. Do you find this valuable?    
KayHays
KayHays
10. RE: NECK FRACTURE
Wednesday, 1:13 PM EST | Post edited: Wednesday, 1:13 PM EST
"Had a bad fall from my horse two weeks ago. Fractured and dislocated C4/C5. Surgery was successful with no loss of function. Dr say not to ride again - don't thing that's going to happen. Any success stories of comebacks from injuries of this type and suggestions for protective riding gear would be very appreciated. Thanks

Richard"
Last Tuesday I had neck surgery on my C3, C4, C5, C6 & C7, other than having to wear the neck collar for 6 weeks (which was going to be 12 weeks) I am just now starting to feel like getting out of bed & moving. This procedure was done because it was all effecting my hand & while at Horsemanship I my hand doubled in size just from bumping it on the saddle horn. My doctor said I would be able to ride again, so probably I will wait til my 7th or 8th week has passed & then I will be back in the saddle again. I will keep you posted on my progress, but what ever you do, without further injury to your neck, don't give up! As for protective riding gear, I do not know of any for the neck, but if I find out anything I will let you know. SassieHays 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?