Before examination

So, tomorrow I head off to have my lower back and right hip joint scanned by MRI. My back has not been getting any better, whilst that hip joint has been more stiff and sore of late. It seemed like a good opportunity to try out the private health insurance that my employer provides free of charge. The state health service here is good, however the private policy is quicker.

I've been once already for a physical examination. I was surprised to find a new hospital where staff outnumbered patients and, to be honest, not much seemed to be happening. No wonder it's easy to get an appointment.

I wonder what the outcome will be? Something is going wrong, and at least this way I may get to find out what.

At the same time I can imagine how easy it will be for the experts to deliver a simple injunction not to ride. After all, there is a physical problem - most likely caused by riding horses (and by falling off them).

There would also most likely be mental problems caused by not riding horses!

Somewhere between fifteen and twenty thousand miles in the saddle may be expected to cause some wear and tear. Prior to that, around sixty thousand miles by bicycle (I used to keep detailed records) will have left their mark.

An evening ride reminded me how much I appreciate getting out with Brena. The air was clear, the light golden. An atmosphere of tranquility cloaked the hills.

It would be a considerable misfortune to be denied this.

That thought spurs on determination to understand what is wrong, rather than procrastinate as I have done, relying on the chiropractor to pull things straight despite an underlying pathology. It's time to find out what is going on, and what can be done to fix it.

Trotting was uncomfortable for me, and Brena sensed it. Then we cantered, Brena throwing in a little buck of excitement as she started, and the motion of the faster pace was less uncomfortable. One finds hope and reassurance in unexpected places.

Comments

[The Equestrian Vagabond]

I hope it's a simple fix and the therapy is to ride MORE!

[funder]

Good luck :-/ I think cantering everywhere sounds like a fine workaround!

[Horseideology]

Hey J ~ I know you had mentioned before, but I was wondering if you started on glucosomine? And if so, if he helped at all? I'm hoping this is something that can be managed. ((hugs))

[White Horse Pilgrim]

I think that it will be a relatively simple fix through not too extensive surgery - not fun however there might have been be a lot more wrong.

I have been taking glucosamine, still do, and that probably is starting to help my back. Last weekend camping was a lot less sore in the back department than I had expected. It may help the hip joint to regenerate too.

This does make me happy that I am not working as a trail guide anymore. Physically that would have been the end of me.