RE: [RC] Horses staying in shape and knees - Libby & Quentin Llop DVM
Dear
Catfish:
I did both of mine last Oct. The collateral ligaments
tore. I avoided having to deal w/ inconvenient Dr. advice by not visiting
one. (But I did look at the ligaments with my ultrasound.)
Perhaps your ligaments are more severely damaged, so assessing the actual
ligament/ meniscus damage is important. Shredded ligaments require
surgery. Ones that are like bowed tendons on horse require physiotherapy.
Assuming good fortune and your damage is the later, I will
relate what worked for me. Weight bearing was not painful, only
straightening the legs. I found that altho walking was difficult (have you ever
tried to walk w/ both knees flexed?), riding was not, as when riding ones knees
are flexed. The discomfort of pressure on the medial ligaments disappeared
quickly; I think that, the massage of riding hastened the healing; anticipating
this I got on a horse almost immediately, i.e. when the 'ice it' phase was
over. The week after my injury, I attended a veterinary
meeting of acupuncturists. A couple of them did 'energy work' including
the Bowman technique, which I found extremely helpful. (In 'wayout'
California, this should be easy to find.) The body is dumb. It assumes
that you are in danger of doing again what injured you in the first place and
hence goes overboard in protective swelling. Most of the pain is from the
swelling. Reducing it by massage, energy work, and improving
circulation will hasten healing. Energy work is, in addition, helpful in
reducing secondary problems in other parts of your body. Expect a large
bruise to form along the back of your thigh. Now after 7 mo's the residual
is a slight discomfort on one medial ligament and an inability to do unusual
yoga like postures with the knees.
Good luck!.
Quentin
PS I
want to add longeing to Jonni's recommendations.
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Catfish
Daniels Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 6:05 PM To:
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Horses staying in shape and
knees
Hi everyone:
Just recently two topics were
discussed, to which I sorta didn?t pay much attention to. Today I wish I
had, and any comments/suggestions would greatly be appreciated ? and I
apologize for the repeat.
This morning I mis-stepped why
standing on the back of my truck, and landed with a fully extended knee below
? hyper extended it pretty badly. Anyway, can?t walk or put weight on
it, it?s pretty swollen. It feels like a prior meniscus injury I?ve had
18 months ago to which I elected to physical therapy and exercises rather than
the recommended surgery. Long story short, same swelling, same
knee. No sympathy, please?my own stupidity. My question are
these:
1)For all 100 milers: If this
injury is the same as the last one I had, I won?t be back in the saddle for
about 4-5 weeks, about beginning of July (if I?m lucky). I?m on the
entry list for this year?s Tevis Cup. I know timing is very bad, but
given what I?ve got to work with, how long can I ?sorta? expect for my horse
to stay in shape without being exercised? My mind?s playing tricks on
me, and I swear he already gained 900 lbs when I missed this morning?s
training ride. Tevis is July 31st.
2)As for the recent discussion about
knee problems, what is the best experience any of you have had with different
knee braces for best support while riding?
Just like last time, the doctor?s
orders (and I?ll see him on Tuesday) will be either surgery and/or lay off for
a good while. And obviously that Tevis is ?out?. Stupid on my part
? yes ? but any suggestions on how to successfully ?attempt? to break the
doctor?s orders would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for any suggestions
you may have. I?m sorry to bother you guys with this sorta
stuff.
