Long story short, life is crazy, 2 kids in now. Still have horses and was excited to get my first home grown futurity colt started on the pattern...until I got a pinched/damaged nerve giving birth to my 2nd kiddo. Now my left knee is numb, or if I feel anything its pain. I couldn't drive a clutch rig let alone get my leg high enough to put in a stirrup. Was told it could clear up in 6 weeks...but upon my research could be 6 months.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? Did PT help? Did it heal on its own? Any tips or tricks for getting back in the saddle (and being able to stay in it)? Loving my baby, but feeling very discouraged on the horse front...

I would recommend finding someone who does chiropractic and pair it with Prolo therapy, some times that's hard to find....but it's not invasive and it'll fix or heavily relieve the issue.

Thanks, I have a good chiro, I'll have to look into prolo therapy. Been debating on if I could or should get into PT, trying to give things a chance to heal...

PT helped with the pinched nerve in my shoulder. I only went 4 times then continued same exercises at home. Also, I've been to a sports massage therapist and feel like he will help. 

Yes, absolutely go for PT, and make sure you do the exercises they give you as homework. It is worth it. My issues were muscular/skeletal but my father had serious nerve problems due to compressed disks in his neck. PT helped him immensely (though he would complain the whole time and never admit it ). 

Thanks. Last time I went to PT was for my LCL in my other knee...100% did the exercises (unlike my husband, another story for another day). I went to the dr on Monday and they wont refer me to a PT for another 2 weeks thinking it will resolve itself. Oh well, doing some exercises on my own at home if/when I have time with a newborn. I feel more determined this time to get my body back and to feeling like "normal" after baby. 

My SIL went to Columbia, South America for stem cell treatments for his back. It seemed risky but the treatments in Columbia were a fraction of the cost than the treatments in the United States.  He has had good results following the treatment and the care was excellent.  Just throwing that out there.

My one and only instance with a pinched nerve, was when I slept wrong on my arm. Yup, one of those stupid things!

When I woke up that morning, I noticed my arm hurt. Whatever, I went to work like I normally do. However, it kept progressively getting worse throughout the day. Around lunch, I had to drive 2 hours to a meeting and I thought that would be good because I can "rest" it in the car ride. It continued to get worse, that on my drive home that evening, I couldn't use that arm at all. When I got home, I had to have my husband help me undress and change into my pajamas. I literally could not use my arm at all, and it HURT!! 

I got into the doctor the next day. She suspected a pinched nerve and prescribed me meloxicam. I was prepared for it to take months to get better but I got lucky. Pain was completely gone in a week and I was back to normal. So relieved. 

So.... you are probably well past the point of NSAIDs ... but just wanted to offer it's worth a shot if your doctor is willing. 

Agree on PT and therapy. Nerves can and do regenerate, but it just takes so much time. Sometimes a YEAR.

I appreciate all that! My dad has taken meloxicam before when he had a shoulder injury. I have discussed this issue more than once with my doctor and they are of the wait approach (guess they feel it should heal on its own). 

My only experience with a pinched nerve was sciatica. After 6 to 8 months of chiro and pain management I was still in horrible pain.  2 appointments a week apart with a really good deep tissue massage therapist all but resolved it.  I got about 40% relief after the first appointment and about 90% after the 2nd.  Did minthly follow ups for about 4 months and haven't had an issue in years.