A day after having my right hip injected with MRI dye and cortisone, it was simply too much not to go out and ride.
So I slipped off to the barn in order to make a short ride around the farm. At least that way I would find out how the joint is holding up without being miles from anywhere if there was a problem.
We got off to a late start as I took a phone call from a director at work. After 7pm. Was I near a computer? Not really. Did I have certain reports to hand? Sorry, no, they're out of reach. As Brena did not neigh or nicker, he had no idea where I was.
As a result of standing tied up for half an hour, Brena was quite impatient ridden. A jiggling, pullig horse would be a good test of my leg.
Well it hurt more than it should, but a lot less than it might.
I'm not sure whether cortisone is supposed to effect an immediate improvement. It hasn't. So maybe an operation is going to be the answer?
The prospect of being operated on does not worry me unduly. However the thought of not riding for six weeks (so the website says) whilst I recuperate is less appealing. Probably that is quite quick for post-op recuperation, plus I'm sure that I'll be riding after three weeks. There's nothing like being stubborn.
The next thing will be to go out for a longer ride and see how my leg holds up. Perhaps tomorrow evening? It will help build up a full picture.
J I did not want to post this in my blog (so don't make mention of it over there) but husband has a firm job offer and it is out of state. Hence why plans are being changed.
Posted by: Horseideology | July 28, 2011 at 01:56 AM
No, cortisone does not make an immediate improvement. Usually (at least over here?) they do a cocktail of cortisone and lidocaine - the lidocaine should help with immediate pain, and as it wears off the cortisone will (hopefully) reduce the inflammation and pain. Don't give up on the injection for at least a week.
In my case, the shot itself felt like someone had hit me in the wrist with a hammer, and two weeks later my pain was completely unchanged. But for you, in two weeks you might feel much improved. Don't judge it today! :)
Posted by: funder | July 28, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Becky: I am glad to hear your good news. I do hope that all works out as well as possible.
Funder: thank you for this useful information, which the medics here did not bother to tell me. (They just gave me a questionnaire to complete and post back after two weeks.) At least the shot wasn't painful as it was well anaesthetised. Now, a week later, I am sore from riding and also standing in church. We'll let's see what comes of the shot, there is still time to improve.
Posted by: White Horse Pilgrim | July 31, 2011 at 10:58 PM