Ankle or foot Problems?

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Does anyone else on here have ankle/ foot problems which affect ability to ride? At the mo I am ok, just had ankle arthroscopy done, Im in no pain for once *yay* and I am returning to riding. Do you think though that this will do any harm to my ankle? Has anyone else had arthroscopy and how long did you leave before you got back in the saddle?

Also, Ive been told I can have my ankle fused if I get pain again but would this mean I couldnt ride after/ would it cause more problems regarding horseriding?

Eventually I will get my ankle replaced but surgeon is reluctant to do it because he says it wont last me long and my foot is good at the moment. Can you ride with a replacement though?

[chunky monkey]

Nothing as serious as you, but I sprain my ankle really badly about 15 years ago. Was on crutches for months. After a year the ankle was fine and I've never had any probs since. I used to run compeditively and it was never a problem.
I noticed when I started riding a couple of years ago that I get pain in my left ankle. So I either have to ride with a longer stirrup on that side or I drop my leg out of the stirrup for a bit when I start to feel pain if I'm on a hack. Just goes to show how injuries are never really 100% healed even after all those years. I won't let it stop me riding though.

[Jane.A]

Have left tibial calcaeneal fusion, couldn't have ankle replacement as not enough bone to fasten it to. Still ride and compete affil as well as RDA and have done para dressage too. Have toe cap to stop foot getting stuck, use sprenger stirrups to help absorb the concussion and just get on with it. On bad days take the pain killers and walk using stick/s dependant on how bad but generally am more comfortable riding than walking. Pm me if I can be of more help.

[D&D]

your situation sounds alot like mine, almost identical :rolleyes: :) x

hard to comment!!!! so the best way to comment is maybe personally on my situation (and everyones situation is different) x

i personally would not go down the fusion route, although ive lost 70% movement in the ankle. no it would probably not help your riding, but hey thats not the important issue here lol is it? lol it is for me much to my parents dismay :) i struggle sometimes with a natural 70% joint fushion, everyone puts so much emphasis on the ability to put your heal down and how much more it secures you in the saddle and your balance, and they are right, when i feel how secure i am one side but not the other, boy 2 good legs and i'd stay on like super glue :)

again i too young for joint replacement to and have to string it out as long as possible, they gave a prediction in 2000 that by 2006 i would have to have a new made joint (could i have ridden, of course) and then after 15yrs if technology had not improved i was in for the chop and become bionic (i could have carried on riding then as well) :D

luckily for me, providing i stay on board my horse lol, riding has done miracles for my leg. its 2007 and i have no signs whatsoever pain wise i need a joint replacement let alone anything else, and have never walked better, the improvement has been to the point of swapping an auto car for a manual lorry (i could not drive an new manual car 3 yrs ago, let alone an old manual lorry)

has it been hard, yes and bliming painful and had to go through many pain barriers after a short time in the saddle, i can happily ride for hours now, yes sometimes it still hurts but not like it did before xxx

hope that helps x

[Siogfinsceal]

echo Jane A sprenger stirrups are supposed to be great for ankle and foot problems

[Julz]

I dont know about ankle replacements but i had a hip replacement last year, was back in the saddle in 3 months..if there is a way round difficulties to make things easier, im sure you will find it, meanwhile check out the suggestions for sprenger stirrups, have no experience of them myself, but they look like they could be comfortable.

[Kizza07]

Dont get your ankle fused!!!

My spine is fused and it REALLY can hurt sometimes! aaand even though i do still ride, it really hurts to ride for long!

[Gurnosstud]

I broke my ankle about 10 years ago, I started back riding as soon as the plaster came off. I have never had any pain, but it is a lot stiffer than my other ankle and doesnt' bend to wrap around the horses sides

[*Sez*]

I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects all my joints, and was not long ago also diagnosed with permanent chronic ankle sprains as a result. Personally, I detest the Sprenger stirrups :o. My ankles are unstable enough as it is without bendy stirrups as well. I make sure my boots are well-fitted and I also wear half-chaps or gaiters to provide some extra support. On "bad days", I also strap up my ankles before riding. Another problem I have is incredibly poor proprioception, so I can't "feel" when my feet and lower leg are in the right position, and often end up with my toes pointing out when they feel forwards. I've tried various techniques to correct it, including specific exercises with my physio and gadgets to force my leg into the right position, but nothing has helped, so these days I just accept that I'll never have a completely correct lower leg or foot position. My RI doesn't think it has too much impact on my riding, and has assurred me that I shouldn't worry about it.

I think so long as you are aware of being a bit more careful with what you do with your ankles when in the saddle, there's no reason why returning to riding can't be beneficial. It's non-weight bearing on the legs and feet, so I think you should go for it, enjoy yourself and just make sure you rest when you need to :).

[KazRider]

Never looked in this section before! Really glad i have now.

I've got tarsal coalition so limited movement- have to laugh when i get told 'toes in,heals down' !!! I do try! Worse thing is when it just goes to sleep on me, have to remember to wake it up before dismount! The hardest thing i find is getting the stirrup length right, if they not perfect my riding goes completely to pot!!

I find the bendy stirrups are great, and recently got Barnes buckles for stirrups too. Feel alot happier riding in them, was always a bit scared i'd fall off and my ankle would suffer getting stuck in stirrup or something.
Unfortunately did fall off few weeks back, ankle fine but crush fracture to one of my vertebrae!! Next thing to be worried about when get back riding. :eek::eek:

My only option will also be fusion, but am praying that there will be some great development before i get to that point. Pain wise, i think i'm so used to it now i don't notice, more likely to notice it doesn't hurt!! In fact riding is the only exercise that doesn't make it hurt like hell next day. :)

As for the future, if riding with stirrups starts to be a prob, i'll go without, on my old donkey that i will have thats safe and incredibly slow!!! Or end up going down the driving route.

It's nice to know there are others out there to share problems with, get advice from and general support. :):D

PM me if you want anytime :)

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Went to la hopital the other day, am back in a Beckham cast for general walking about eg, at school/shopping etc just to give ankle more support. Surgeon reluctant to do anything because bones are still growing, so not going back for another year. Will prolly just have some hacks at RS, hoping to up my lessons to one hour aswelll.

Just wondering, if anyone wears ankle support or a splint whilst riding? was thinking that one might go on under some extra big/stretchy half chaps and bigger boots (could wear a couple of pairs of socks on my right foot) any suggestions ?

[*Sez*]

I wear a tubigrip bandage a lot of the time over winter - I also have a neoprene ankle support (somewhere) but I have rarely worn it as it gets so hot, and it's too bulky for footwear. I find a tubigrip, doubled over, with my socks, boots and half-chaps on tends to be enough, but I appreciate that your problem is very different to mine.
From a safety point of view, I think I would hesitate to wear larger boots to accommodate a support. I'm a size 4 (UK) in shoes, and to be honest, with my neoprene support on, I couldn't get my foot into the right position to actually put shoes on. I think I would need at least a size 6 to fit the support, and my other foot would be all over the place inside the large boot. You could maybe get away with a larger size on one foot and your normal size on the other, rather than padding it out with socks.
Do you have an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist that you could ask for professional advice?

[Jane.A]

I wear Ariat Devon pro, expensive but they have the gel insoles and give my ankle lots of support esp when combined with a good pair of strong gaiters. When I used to dislocate lots:eek: before the fusion sometiems I used to wear a calipre which strapped round my leg and went into the heel of my boot down the outside of my leg. Not pretty but did the job. I did find also that my long boots held me pretty firmly in position too, but they are Sarm Hippique so another rather expensive option. If I could only afford one set I would say black Ariat Devon pro, not the cheaper range, and a good pair of gaiters also in black so they look like long boots and can be used in competition.

[HarveyDales]

As another person with ankle problems I've found reading all your posts very helpful and encouraging. It is nice to know I'm not alone and there are ways round most problems. Thanks you!

I already have sub-talar fusions but won't go down the ankle fusion route as it wouldn't be a viable optin for me. I'm hanging on for improved ankle replacements. I'm sure you could ride with them but it is all the ground/field work that would be a problem and for me, this is all part of having horses. The same would apply to anke fusion.

Last year, when things were really bad, I rode without stirrups and in a mad moment even jumped but discovered my seat was not as good as I thought!lol Now I'm back in stirrups but have to ride very long. I used to like the Sprenger ones but now seem to get on better with the cheap, light plastic ones. I always wear those supportive tubigrip things doubled over but was warned agains riding with any sort of rigid support because of what could happen in a fall. For some reason Muck boots are the only boot I can stand for long. I guess we are all different and have to try things out for ourselves.

I have learnt through bitter experience not to try and force a correct riding position but rather listen to my body and also my horse.

I do believe that riding is a great exersise for people with ankle problems. Riding strengthens all the foot and leg muscles which will give the ankle more support.

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

As another person with ankle problems I've found reading all your posts very helpful and encouraging. It is nice to know I'm not alone and there are ways round most problems. Thanks you!

I already have sub-talar fusions but won't go down the ankle fusion route as it wouldn't be a viable optin for me. I'm hanging on for improved ankle replacements. I'm sure you could ride with them but it is all the ground/field work that would be a problem and for me, this is all part of having horses. The same would apply to anke fusion.

Last year, when things were really bad, I rode without stirrups and in a mad moment even jumped but discovered my seat was not as good as I thought!lol Now I'm back in stirrups but have to ride very long. I used to like the Sprenger ones but now seem to get on better with the cheap, light plastic ones. I always wear those supportive tubigrip things doubled over but was warned agains riding with any sort of rigid support because of what could happen in a fall. For some reason Muck boots are the only boot I can stand for long. I guess we are all different and have to try things out for ourselves.

I have learnt through bitter experience not to try and force a correct riding position but rather listen to my body and also my horse.

I do believe that riding is a great exersise for people with ankle problems. Riding strengthens all the foot and leg muscles which will give the ankle more support.

Theres something to convince mum that horses are good for me :) didnt know it would help support my ankle.

Ive got to go down the fusion route but like you, am hoping that replacements will improve in near future, heres hoping, eh?

[noodle]

I am a newbie here to, and thought I would have a a peek in the disabled section.
Well I broke both my legs in a nasty RTA 9 years ago, caught MRSA in the hospital which meant the fixator had to be removed, the leg kept re0breaking.
Anyway I am left with my right leg longer than the other and the bottom half has had to stayed pinned because it was too smashed up to ever remove the pin, right thigh all healed and pin removed, left lower leg pin removed but left ankle was smashed to bits, pins removed but didnt help, I now have no cartilage left in the ankle jont, only 25% movement left{sob sob, it only bends up not down so I cant wear anything other than flat shoes}grade 4 arthritis, all the opperations that could be done have been, they want to permenantly fuse it, i said NO cos at 33 medical science can change and a new ankle would break in a matter of years.
Anyway I am a pants rider but I love it, I do however look a little strange because to keep my knees and hips level means my lower legs are not even and one sits lower.However the riding school do not know the full extend of my my problems and have only commented that I look wonky at times!" LOL
I find horse riding no problem pain wise because its not total weight bearing on my legs, just find it hard lead reining my daughters pony anything faster than a walk!

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

The thing is, its not my ankle thats the real problem... i manage alright most of the time, even tho the heels down thing isnt going to happenlol! its the fact ive got nerve damage too, so my ankles and feet flap about like mad and i sometimes lose my irons, not sure if i can do anything about this, just have to be extra aware of it really. but it does annoy me, and i worry about coming off purely because of it (which i have)

But you guys have proved to me that its worth me carrying on, and that there are ways and means round things :)

[Drummer & Eli]

this is a really really good thread, it has found a few on here that are very similar :)

i find sprengers good as well. ive just tried the new ones and find that whilst the old style (for me maybe better for sj & xc) the new ones took even more of the impact and kept my ankle ''soft'' hard to explain, and maybe a great pair for hacking and dressage.

i was against fusion as well and was hanging out for a joint replacement and was worried that without medical technology improving i'd be foreced to have the chop at 50 :o

You can tell your mom Gemsluv, ive had 17 breaks + to ankle tib and fib (mainly ankle) and that because of riding, the swelling in my foot when down, the fluid can now dispurse itself, the foot is no longer blue and the blood is now circulating, the nerves/feeling are still all shot to pieces and the foot often does what it wants to do or feels like a lead weight that i cant move to get my horse in to canter :rolleyes: but after 3 years of only being able to tolerate being in the saddle for 5 mins i can now just about bear a 14 mile fun ride and drive my horse home after. i also have spent 9 years drivng an automatic car because i did not have the strength or fine motor skills to work the clutch and 5 months ago i brought a manual lorry :) i still grin like a chesiure cat driving it :) and i whilst i am still in pain, it is more than bearable now and my mum also hates my horses (and im 33!!) and i have to keep reminding her how much less i am sat in her house complaining of pain

unfortunately i now have osteo so have to be a bit careful (and have just failed obesmubly at giving up smoking 3 weeks and i have spent the last 3 days on 1 or 2 a day) :rolleyes: ill keep persevering

re protecting leg/ankle when jumping, fleece horse bandages with velcro is fab!!! the Ariat long boots with laces in accomodate this one fat leg :-)

and laughed when one of you wrote you had to wake you leg up before you jumped off of the saddle...lol ditto i understood that perfectly

[Drummer & Eli]

gemsluv, re nerve damage, how long have you been riding?

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

gemsluv, re nerve damage, how long have you been riding?

Since 2004, on and off, i rode for a year when i was 7, had some lessons at 12, but medical problems keep getting in the way. Forgot to mention, i had 2006 out because i was in a cast :rolleyes:
So probably only about three years if you total it all up :)

[Drummer & Eli]

same amount of time as me then, nerves are hard but my leg has kinda stopped flapping around etc, think after a while you adopt a riding position that works and is comfy for you. i kinda know what my lower leg is doing now or where it is from the position/weight on the knee. Good luck xx

[KazRider]

The thing is, its not my ankle thats the real problem... i manage alright most of the time, even tho the heels down thing isnt going to happenlol! its the fact ive got nerve damage too, so my ankles and feet flap about like mad and i sometimes lose my irons, not sure if i can do anything about this, just have to be extra aware of it really. but it does annoy me, and i worry about coming off purely because of it (which i have)

Ah the good old 'wobbly leg' problem, i have to laugh when i get that- such a strange sensation and so uncontrollable!! Once i'd pretty much perfected getting stirrups correct length i didn't often get too much of that happen though thankfully. Try not to think about it though because the more you are conscious of it the harder it is to control!!!

As mentioned in my prev post i broke my back in August so have only just restarted riding. I'm finding that the riding is really helping with the pain and stiffness in my back so for me riding is a therapy and i totally agree with what others have said about it helping strengthen the muscles without the problems that other weight bearing exercise can cause. Riding is one of the only ways i can keep fit that doesn't cause ankle pain!

I have discovered a new problem now though. The Horse i have started riding is rather wide :eek: and i'm finding that my foot and ankle are going numb and it is causing stress on my knee as well. Admittedly i have had more pain overall recently anyway but i'm sure it's because of the increase in angles and rotation needed when riding the wider horse. To be comfortable my lower leg sits naturally sticking straight out, (prob bout 45 degree angle from ground) and approx 6 inches away from horses side!!

Once i've got my confidence sorted and am back riding as before i probably won't be riding this horse that much, but in the mean time he's a fantastic, safe ride for me to be starting back on :D. Gonna try putting the stirrups down a hole this week and see if that helps.

Has anyone else noticed this as well?

(sorry not trying to hijack thread!! It'd great to have feedback from people in the same boat though!!) :D:D

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Its a reallyyyy wierd sensation! I have to ride like a jockey in order to keep my feet in an acceptable position! otherwise who knows where they'll end up - ive pretty much got no control over them :rolleyes:
its gd to know imnot alone! :cool:

i do get pain after riding but then again i pretty much get it all the time, even after swimming, so i dont think its doing much harm really. i can think of worse things! i used to love trampolining but had to give it up. i dont want to have to resort to giving up riding aswell :eek:

i agree with you on the wider horse issue, i myself find my leg position and balance is much improved on a less wide horse. maybe because i can wrap my legs around them better. my leg also sticks out at an angle - this is my actual foot (ive cropped the pic) to give you an idea of it!
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa267/Sweet_Sacrifice121/DSCN0074_edited.jpg
apologies in advance if it comes out huuge!

If Anyone has any ideas on how i could improve this taking into account my ankle! problems + nerve damage id be chuffed! Note also the position of the irons (got fed up asking mum to put them back in the right place as i cant feel and they just slip back as soon as i go into trot - in the pic id just stopped trotting).

personally, i find, as someone has said earlier, that riding goes to pot when your stirrup length isnt right. I find it easier with them quite short ie. jumping length (this does get frowned upon but to be honest i really dont care as i find it far more supportive and comfortable, with the stirrups longer i lose them, or my leg wobbles about like jelly and i look abit strange and generally feel unbalanced and insecure!) its all down to personal choice really, need to find a length that accomodates YOU and what you feel happy with. I wouldnt worry about them being the "right" length aslong as you feel they are right for you!
:)

[HarveyDales]

Yes, my bad ankle also causes my foot to stick out at 45 degrees and horse width makes a huge difference. I find narrow horses are very painful for my ankle because of the inwards muscle forces required to wrap leg around horse. Very wide horses also cause problems and I do get the numbing problem too.

My horse is very wide and when I rode in a treeless saddle, which accentuates the "wideness" it caused me a lot of problems. Took me a year to realise what was going on - now got a treed saddle! Shortening the stirrups helps with the width problems but that puts more downwards pressure on the ankle joint so I find riding with very long stirrups preferable, whatever the width of the horse. I guess you just have to experiment to find what suits you best.

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Shortening the stirrups helps with the width problems but that puts more downwards pressure on the ankle

I agree, it does.
I dont know why I find it easier, im just a bit wierd i guess! But i find it means i get increased feeling (omg just ignore me im strange i know! i dont think anyone will get what im on about lol!) and i find the ankle feels abit sturdier. But it prolly does put added strain on my ankle, however i think its my comfort zone and im reluctant to get out of it :o
i find longer length means my leg wobbles around which also risks damaging the ankle as its not as secure. i cant win to be honest lol!
but yes, you are right.

[Palomino Mare]

so glad i found this thread - i was going to post a similar one!!

i tore all the ligaments in my foot/ankle and my calf muscle on teh 17th june 2007 (day after my birthday;))

i couldnt weight bare for 2/3months (on crutches) and then i had to use a walking stick for 1month. no help from the nhs of course - i was just told "up good, down bad" and when i questioned the fact that it was slow to heal and was it maybe broken, my answer was "well its bandaged and your not weight bearing so its getting the same healing work as a broken bone":rolleyes:

anyway gradually uit got back to normal, sometimes a bit stiff in the cold. but i cant trot for more than 2mins and after 1min of canter i have to get off.

i went out a hack today for the first time in 2months and we did alot of trotting. i was ok on the hack but when i jumped off i couldnt move. thankfully jerry saw himself back to his own stable whilst i had a quiet moment:rolleyes: i've been limping around all night and its agony!! when does the pain go away!!!!

interestingly, i walk with splayed feet and i ride with my toes out naturally, since i hurt my ankle though the bad one turns in nicely and makes a good position - thats probably part of my problem

[Criquette]

Another who is glad to find this topic.

I have had my ankle fused, I am starting to get back into riding, I find I can keep my stirrups ok, but I am shorter on the left side than the right side, so I feel quite uneven. I have maybe 10% range of motion in my ankle so I can't take the impact of jumping. I had considered getting some elastic stiched into the stirrup leather (kind of like how side reins are) to absorb impact on that side? Any one got any ideas for things that might help this? I also need more stability? Was condsidering trying toe stoppers too but I don't have an issue with stirrup placement more the lack of flexiblity in the ankle? Idea's any one?

Gemluvshorsesx - I found something that might help you with the stirrup issue, (I hope it's ok to post links), wondered if this might help? Essentially it's 'only' a rubber band, that would break if you fell, but would help you keep your stirrup under the ball of your feet??

http://www.colleenkelly.net/Articles_and_Info/Sports/Horse_Rider/How%20to%20Keep%20Your%20Stirrups/How%20to%20Keep%20Your%20Stirrups.htm

Look forward to chating to you all about our ankle prob's on the forum.

[noodle]

I have had my ankle fused

Please can I ask how your ankle feels now it has been fused.
I broke both legs and ankle badly nearly 10 years ago resulting in arthritis and now have no cartilege in my left ankle and grade 4 arthritis, I can have very good days and very bad days with pain, the only option left was fusing it to stop the pain, I only have about 15% movement left if that, but was told I would be in plaster for 6 weeks, is it worth having done?

[Criquette]

Hi noodle,

Sorry about your ankle. It sounds like our stories are similar, I broke my ankle in an accident and eventually arthritis set in, all the cartilege gradually was worn away and it was painful. Sounds like where you are at now with your ankle?

My ankle's been fused for 6 years now. My experience is that it is well worth doing, I've gone from being in alot of pain to being pain free. It got to the point where a fused ankle couldn't be any worse than the limited movement, arthritis and pain that I did have, and I found for me that the fused ankle was better.

I'm happy to tell you more or answer any questions you have about my experience if you feel it would help you with your decision?

Criquette

[Criquette]

Doube post - sorry

[scallywags]

I have HMS, so have problems with most of my major joints.
I broke my ankle a few years ago, and it is quite stiff now, and painful when I ride.
I have found a few things helpful, bendy stirrups, boots with steel shanks really help, and I also have to wear a support thingy. Rising trot is painful and the ankle gives way, so I do more sitting trot - or just canter! :D

Personally, I would avoid having an ankle fused.

Good luck. :D

[kat1]

I am still having problems a month after falling off. They have classed it as a grade 3 sprain with a tear in one ligament and partial in another. My physio has started but gee wizz in doent half hurt the next day and the thing is still swollen and looks awful!

I spent two weeks at work on crutches and then resigned myself to the fact that it hurt too much and am now signed off (pe teacher so not the best of situations!)

Riding wise, I have been told that if I must do any, then to tubagrip it with several layers and not take any pain relief so I can feel when my ankle s saying enough is enough. I am meant to be at dressage on thurs but trotting hurts - walking and cantering are not too bad. I am doing as little as possible and have had nearly a month out but am going out of my mind. Beoing on crutches to partial weight bare is driving me mad too.

I was also very naughty yesterday and hobbled round a show ring with Nat so she could do lead rein and bonny pony but it hurt when I had to jog and that was drugged up on painkillers. The things you do for your kids!

I am so fed up now, I have never known pain like it and cant imagine how people cope when they are like this all the time! It is like toothache that never leaves my foot. What creates a need to have an ankle fused? Is it only when you break it?

[Criquette]

Hi Kat1,

From what I understand ankle fusions are usually performed when the joint is structurally changed (or the joint surface), cartilege has been worn away and usually severe arthritis has set in, for me I put having a fusion off untill I was in pain all day everyday popping pain killers four hourly. I understand your frustration with your ankle, it is frustrating when things don't heal as a well as you would hope for. I'm not sure an fusion would solve your problem.

I would suggest finding a pyhsician that specialises in dealing with athlete's injuries and see what they have to say?

[noodle]

I have been told fusion or a total anle replacemnt is the ONLY thing that can done for me.
I have no cartilage left at all so its bone on bone rubbing, when I strap my ankle up and wear boots and keep it fixed{dont change shoes} its ok.
I have very very little movement left because it has semi fused itself, I have been like this for nearly 10 years now.
Ankle replacement isnt really an option because I will wear the new joint away and is only suitable to less active and elderly patients.
I just really dont want to spend anymore time in hospital and the thought of 6 weeks in plaster isnt an option!

[Criquette]

Hi Noodle,

From your last post you are pretty much in same situation I was in 6 years ago, I my ankle had tried to fuse itself at about 100-110 degrees, so even standing up right just put pressure on the joint in turn inflaming it, my ankle as always swollen and incredibly painful, I couldn't away 100meters without having a break and taking loads of pain killers it hurt. And it really disabled me.

I know 6 weeks in cast isn't good fun, and same as when you broke it the first time there is still a transition to full weight bearing once you come out the cast. It does take some time which I agree is off putting. But, when you break it down to the equation of being in pain and essentially disabled for the rest of your life, opposed to 3-6 months of recovery from ankle fusion and then having a smaller less debilating condition that very well could be pain free I thought the 3-6months of hassle was worth the long term result of being able to walk and can even jog a short distance without pain. The other helpful deciding factor is that the younger you are the 'better/faster' your bones tend to heal too. Good physio and lots of work on balance would help once you are the weight bearing stage.

I dreamt of the ankle replacements and the like but like yourself was told not an option you'd wear them out to quickly and then need them replaced every ten years, so as a 23yr old if I had a replacement I would have been crippled at eitther 43 or 53 because each time you have the replacement it gets harder to do (less bone etc).

I did see an American website where this lady had her lower leg amputated because that would be better than a fusion (she trail rides horses on same tracks that wouldn't be for the faint hearted), but even so I feel that fusion was better than amputation for me.

Either way it suck to be in the poisition of making the decision to fuse or not to fuse. Been there, done that, do not envy you.

[moonbeam]

i have been riding with a totaly fused left ankle and my right ankle is replaceced i found that the funnel stirrups really help as the jolting is taking away from the knee as well

[Gabby Abbi]

(got fed up asking mum to put them back in the right place as i cant feel and they just slip back as soon as i go into trot - in the pic id just stopped trotting).

:)[/QUOTE]

Hi - Elastic bands for keeping your foot in the right position in your stirrup - i often loose my stirrups if i don't use them - and they are ideal as they snap if you get flung off, not that i do this too often.

I'll try and post a pocture tomorrow.

[Mulberry]

I have nerve and muscle damage,with a drop foot,and have to wear a plastic splint from my knee to my toes.I also get "wobbly"leg syndrome!!:)
I find it helps to ride short,and ride the "old fashioned way".My dear old dad taught me to ride,by using your knee,not your lower leg like you are taught today.If i try to ride with my lower leg then it doesnt happen.I have no control over anything!!!,but when i grip with my knees my leg doesnt move about to much.I ride very short to the extent where i always ride in my forward cut jumping saddle.
The Rimfrost Mountain horse long boots are brilliant for support and are great for getting my splint in as they have the extending panel on the side.