Aches and pains

[kelkel]

Ok, I've had so many injuries related to this sport the past few years I thought I'd post a thread detailing them. I was looking to hear what aches and pains other members here have suffered through and how they got through them?

Going way back in my history I was training for a powerlifting meet (Mountaineer Open) and was about a week out from it. We were doing opening attempts with squats. A buddy of mine (275 lb'er who won Nationals) wrapped my knees for me as usual. Did my opening attempt with ease. He would wrap you so tight you had to have a massive amount of weight to even bend your knees. Did my opener and within a few minutes after that my lower leg / calf area felt odd and soon I couldn't bend my leg at the knee.

I made it home and went to the ortho the next day. He ended up pulling out a huge horse syringe and began sticking it in multiple area's of my calf and pulling out blood that was around the muscle. My buddy wrapped me so tight it broke veins in my gastroc and it bleed internally filling up all available pockets around the muscle and thus stopping movement. He then admitted me to the hospital where I stayed for three days on blood thinners and a hot water pump thing moving warm water around my lower let. They were afraid it could clot and cause a much more serious problem. Ended up being on crutches and off of work for about 6 weeks. I haven't wrapped legs since. Only use neoprene now.

Fast forward decades through some minor stuff like tendinitis, which the ortho and PT at that time could not cure. Ended up going to a chiropractor that moved next to me. He kept saying he could fix it and I naturally didn't believe him. I finally went to him and within about two weeks I was 100% cured. He found an imbalance of the quadricep muscle at the knee. Somehow adjusted it and I was 100% in couple weeks. Been a believer ever since and see him to this day.

Now to more recent history. Two years ago in July of 17 I was moving one of those tall/heavy floor gun safe's and tried to squeeze one hand underneath to start picking it up. Felt like a bee sting in my bicep. I swear I heard it to. Looked down but it was not curled up but figured I tore it at least partially.

Wend to an Ortho, two of them actually as I wanted to make sure I did not need surgery. Basically just had to rest it and restart back to training very, very lightly. All ended up fine with no on-going issues.

Fast forward two months to September 2017 or so. I was moving rubber floor mats into the back of my truck for a new Icarian Hamstring Single Leg Curl Machine that a buddy gave me a couple days prior. I had to lean in and yank them into the rear of my Durango. Suddenly it felt like I got hit with a bat in the back of my left ham. I knew immediately I tore something. Could not really walk on it. Ortho confirmed a partial tendon tear and set me up with a PT who was great and is now a friend. Went through about 8 weeks of therapy which included Dry Needling. Quite a strange procedure. Google it.

Here's a pic of the ham. Within a couple more days the small blood pocket you see starting to form at the back of the knee was much, much larger:



So, after all this therapy I was able to get back to training. I was pumped to be able to use the new machine shown here:





After a week or so, can't really remember specific amounts of time, I was using the single leg curl as my second ham movement and tore the other ham. Apparently I screamed but I have no recollection of that. My son came down from the second floor into the basement as he heard me. This one felt worse than the first. I stopped and drove to the PT right away and he looked at it and said I tore the muscle. Great. Back to the ortho. Assessment was about 50% of the bicep femoris (ham) was torn. Here's a pic of that and you can see how the ham cuts off a little higher than it should when relaxed. When flexed it's fine.



So, 8 more weeks of PT but every movement I did for the bad leg I did for the good one as well. Might as well, right? PT is big on eccentric curls and had me doing tons of them. Still like them. Basically two legs down on a seated machine and one leg up. Doesn't take much weight and you can get a good workout. To this day I don't train my hams near as heavy as in the past out of plain fear and the desire for longevity. I take it slower and much more controlled. Think of it this way, most ham work starts out with a pretty violent pull. This is what I avoid now.

Fast forward to I think November or so of last year. Left knee was hurting a bit so went back to my now favorite ortho. He suggested knee gel injections (Hyaluronic Acid) which I agreed to. It's a series of 3 shots into the knee joint. Each a week apart. Basically an oil change for the knee according to my doc. He said I can get them every 6 months if needed. I'll be heading back shortly for both knees this time. Hard to believe a needle into the side of your knee doesn't hurt, but it does not.

Now around the same time my right shoulder was slowly bothering me more and more. Back to the Ortho. Ultrasound revealed some damage and he gave me a cortisone shot which helped. A few months go by and ultimately I had to stop any lateral work, pressing did not hurt though.
Ended up getting an MRI which revealed about a quarter inch in length tear in my Infraspinatus Tendon. The width of the tear is abour 40%. If it were 50% he's recommend surgery.

I've been back to him several times since the beginning of the year for checkups on it. Finally settled on a Platelet Rich Plasma Injection. It's where they remove some blood (about 60 cc's I believe), spin it in a centrifuge and remove the platelets. Doc said normally he gets 2-4 cc's of platelets but it depends on the patients volume of them. Mine were mid-level.

So, there I am getting ready for this procedure. Doc comes in with his nurse and a doc in training. Then two people from the centrifuge company come in. Seems admission was not being charged. Laid me down on the table next to an Ultrasound Machine and got ready to go. He was able to pull 5 cc's of platelet rich plasma from the centrifuge. A large amount. Now that I'm on the table he says some of this is really going to hurt. Great news! He begins and inserts the needle (don't know the size) and I'm looking back at the Untrasound Machine as he's using this as his guide to move the needle in and out to redirect the platelets to all pockets of injury. He'd warn me when a part was going to really hurt. He wasn't lying. Damn did it hurt and obviously I'm used to injections. I am on TRT, ahem.....The needle was in me for about 4 minutes and he ended up injecting 4 cc's. Not fun even a little bit. Amazing how losing the use of an appendage changes things.

Got done and he said it's going to be very sore for several days. Day 2-4 was the worst. I could not lift my arm and had to left it with my other arm to set it on my desk! Swear. The platelets cause a ton of internal inflammation which is part of the process of expedited healing. As of today I can raise it to horizontal but no further. The discomfort is still there a lot though. Like a toothache. I really couldn't sleep in bed. Had to use the Layzee Boy and I've been living on Tylenol. Other NSAID's are not allowed as they'll impede healing. They fight inflammation and the PRP causes localized inflammation to heal. I see the ortho next week for a check up.

Anyway, there ya have it. It's what has been going on with me for the last couple years. I hope to hear some stories from other guys (and girls) here as well as I know some of you have had it quite tough.

kel

[almostgone]

You've had more than your fair share, that's for sure. Think I've consulted with you on about all of mine, but just to add to the thread:

Most of mine were due to my being overzealous (the skull fracture in particular). Quad/vastus lateralis tear on hacks from not stretching enough. Fingernail removal and cauterizing from smashing fingers between 100 lb. plates; had already damaged the same two on d'bell presses. Spinal erector tear from deads. Who knows what caused the nerve issue in my left arm?

I'm ashamed and going to sulk in the corner.

[kelkel]

You've had more than your fair share, that's for sure. Think I've consulted with you on about all of mine, but just to add to the thread:

Most of mine were due to my being overzealous (the skull fracture in particular). Quad/vastus lateralis tear on hacks from not stretching enough. Fingernail removal and cauterizing from smashing fingers between 100 lb. plates; had already damaged the same two on d'bell presses. Spinal erector tear from deads. Who knows what caused the nerve issue in my left arm?

I'm ashamed and going to sulk in the corner.

Your "Hulk Smash" finger thing was gross, to be honest.

[Proximal]

Our washer and dryer broke and are waiting for a new one.

Had to go to the laundromat & in the process got a painful tren erection watching some woman’s panties spinning around in the drier.

It really hurt.

[i_SLAM_cougars]

Blew 3 discs out in my neck about 4 years ago dragging a 400 pound hose on my shoulder while awkwardly stepping over a 3” wall. That sucked. Pretty much quit lifting for 2 years because I could barely press the bar. My right triceps like completely melted off in a week. Lost 2” on my right arm.

Did something to my shoulder like 2 years ago that cause a sharp pain during bench press some other movements. Tried taking it easy for awhile, but it never really went away. Seems to have gone away for the most part as of late. I think the test/dbol combo healed it some how.

[tarmyg]

He kept saying he could fix it and I naturally didn't believe him.

Story of my life :-)

Can't add much to this thread as I have not had to deal with many injuries beyond my forearms which are, substantially fixed.


Snapped my finger in my hand many years ago in a Karate competition by hitting someone's knee. In those days my friends thought it was hilarious so directly going to the Emergency Room was not on the table as they figured we could be there a while, so we spent an hour at Mickey D first. When we got there, the Dr was dealing with a pretty significant traffic accident and came to see me on his "break." Asked me if I was in pain I said, I'm Ok, and immediately went ahead and snapped the broken piece into place and asked me to hold it. Can't say I was very though at that moment.



Beyond that ancient tidbit, not much to tell.

[bethdoth]

Good news is you can heal. I don't think I will ever completely heal.
1983 putting up a tree stand to bowhunt. One leg up and one down I had to twist to get the chain of the stand wrapped in the right direction. Fractured my L4 (just chipped a part of it off). Docs said just let it heal. Now I have arthritis and degenerative bones in that area. No flexibility and hurts most of the time, can't wipe my ass in the morning without doing some stretches while sitting there.
2006 on Road America race track on a brand new Yamaha R1 LE (#480 of 500 made). High sided coming out of the kink! Crushed my C6 and C7 mostly the right side. C5 and C6 were fused, but the herniated C7 they didn't touch because my spinal cord is actually pushed out and goes around it. This was the worst! I have constant problems with my right arm and hand. I recently started having issues with the L1 nerve and is causing a sharp pain (like 120 volts) going through the right groin area. I was paying my bill at the bar Wednesday night and this pain occurred 4 times about 10 seconds apart, the bartender looks at me and says Are you ok I know CPR! The look of pain on my face made her think I was having a heart attack. So I guess I need to go get an MRI here pretty soon to see what has changed with that C7.
2004 Playing softball in a league. I get on first then my wife comes up to bat. She hits it right to the short stop, well in the process of getting 200 plus pounds moving quickly I tore my left hamstring. I just let it heal and didn't go to the doc ... now that hamstring tears/hurts very easy.
2014 I was drunk camping at an adult campground. There were bachelor party's because the strip club was right across the road. I bunch of them came to our site. They were like "your pretty big but I bet I can beat you in arm wrestling". Nope I beat I beat every single one of them. Then my buddy Chris wanted to go left handed because he is left handed. I beat him too, but paid the price tearing something in my shoulder. A month of PT and basically 6 months of taking it easy it finally healed.
Right now I have tendinitis in both elbows and a bad right shoulder that I don't know how I hurt. I have have the cortisone shot in it already a little better for now.
On the 17th I am starting acupuncture for all my aches and pains. I have tried massage, PT, steroids and Gabapentin so I figure what the heck might as well try it since the VA is paying for it.

[lovbyts]

Glad to hear it's working for you. Ive looked into the PRP a few times the last few years but even my Ortho who did a lot of it for athletes told me it probably would not help due to being mostly bone on bone for in the shoulders. Going for full replacement on Left side Aug 1st and Right side 3+ months later.

I was fighting lower back issues from herniated L3 & L4 for 15+ years and had surgery 2006 and L5/S1 ruptured (couldnt walk, sit or stand for 1 month) and had surgery 2008. Some how (thankfully) the last couple of years the pain has decreased down to almost nothing 99% of the time. I think the back self fussed as some had told me it would do. I tried about everything you can think of for the back before surgery and after but it seems time eventually healed most of it with help from surgery.

Ive thought about trying Stem-cell therapy for the shoulders but $$$$. Hopefully replacement surgery (Hemiarthroplasty) will get me back on track.

[Proximal]

Glad to hear it's working for you. Ive looked into the PRP a few times the last few years but even my Ortho who did a lot of it for athletes told me it probably would not help due to being mostly bone on bone for in the shoulders. Going for full replacement on Left side Aug 1st and Right side 3+ months later.

I was fighting lower back issues from herniated L3 & L4 for 15+ years and had surgery 2006 and L5/S1 ruptured (couldnt walk, sit or stand for 1 month) and had surgery 2008. Some how (thankfully) the last couple of years the pain has decreased down to almost nothing 99% of the time. I think the back self fussed as some had told me it would do. I tried about everything you can think of for the back before surgery and after but it seems time eventually healed most of it with help from surgery.

Ive thought about trying Stem-cell therapy for the shoulders but $$$$. Hopefully replacement surgery (Hemiarthroplasty) will get me back on track.

Did you say you are doing total shoulder replacements?

[lovbyts]

Did you say you are doing total shoulder replacements?

Yup, Aug 1st. Ive been avoiding it for a couple of years but I cant any longer. My doctor is the head Orthopedic surgeon for the Seattle Sea Hawks. He told me 4 years ago I needed them both replaced but I/we still tried arthroscopic but it didnt really help much and not for long. 1st surgery he said I had 2x the damage what the Contrast MRI showed. That was not fun, MRI with contrast dye.
We are doing the Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty without the plastic cup because he thinks I will just break it eventually being active and we can add it easily later if needed.

Same thing for the right shoulder about 3 months after.

PS NO I am not doing the reversal. To many complications.


Edward Khalfayan M.D.
https://www.opaortho.com/team/khalfayan/

[Proximal]

Yup, Aug 1st. Ive been avoiding it for a couple of years but I cant any longer. My doctor is the head Orthopedic surgeon for the Seattle Sea Hawks. He told me 4 years ago I needed them both replaced but I/we still tried arthroscopic but it didnt really help much and not for long. 1st surgery he said I had 2x the damage what the Contrast MRI showed. That was not fun, MRI with contrast dye.
We are doing the Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty without the plastic cup because he thinks I will just break it eventually being active and we can add it easily later if needed.

Same thing for the right shoulder about 3 months after.

PS NO I am not doing the reversal. To many complications.


Edward Khalfayan M.D.
https://www.opaortho.com/team/khalfayan/

Sent you a PM.

Looking at one of these myself.

Both hips are done, why not do another joint, lol.

[kelkel]

Our washer and dryer broke and are waiting for a new one.

Had to go to the laundromat & in the process got a painful tren erection watching some woman’s panties spinning around in the drier.

It really hurt.

At our age you should be thankful!

[kelkel]

Yup, Aug 1st. Ive been avoiding it for a couple of years but I cant any longer. My doctor is the head Orthopedic surgeon for the Seattle Sea Hawks. He told me 4 years ago I needed them both replaced but I/we still tried arthroscopic but it didnt really help much and not for long. 1st surgery he said I had 2x the damage what the Contrast MRI showed. That was not fun, MRI with contrast dye.
We are doing the Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty without the plastic cup because he thinks I will just break it eventually being active and we can add it easily later if needed.

Same thing for the right shoulder about 3 months after.

PS NO I am not doing the reversal. To many complications.


Edward Khalfayan M.D.
https://www.opaortho.com/team/khalfayan/

Let us know how it goes lov!

Good to see you stop by!

[lovbyts]

Believe it or not I survived but the shoulder is still a LOT more painful and weak than I though it would be after this amount of time. Ill update more soon

[Proximal]

Believe it or not I survived but the shoulder is still a LOT more painful and weak than I though it would be after this amount of time. Ill update more soon

Welcome back!

[lovbyts]

Welcome back!

Thanks, Ive tried to pop in now and again to look something up but havent been active posting.

Its been a busy few months. I had my shoulder replacement August 1st 2019. My daughter got married August 24th. I got married September 28th, yeah Im a slow learner. My new father in-law had a stroke October 1st and passed away October 15th. I spent the next 3 weeks trying to get a emergency travel visa for my wife so we could return to the Philippines for the funeral (she had only been in the USA 2 months) and it was a total cluster fvck because no one knew what they were doing. Spent October 28th - November 10 in the Philippines using our house there as a make shift funeral home/viewing room for 100+ people a day as well as a church service every evening and around 100 people there until 4am each morning. Needles to say we didnt even stay at our own house. Not much of a honeymoon either due to circumstance.

SLOWLY recovering from the full shoulder replacement. Its taking longer than I had originally though. Part of it is due to they did not put in the plastic cup with the steel ball because they say it fails 90% of the time if a person is physically active so I opted to just have them shave the socket and smooth it out but it's metal on bone and takes longer to heal now.

Talk about weak, the first month I could not even push into my chest hard enough to bend the hairs on my chest. lol They had to detach the muscles and tendons from the shoulder to do the replacement. I had a huge bruise for a few weeks on my ribs and finally asked the doctor how that happened. He said that is probably where he put his knee for leverage pulling my shoulder out of socket originally. lol

Strange that some things like lifting heavy objects are not really a problem or doing curls, for the most part by when I engage the shoulder doing any kind of straight arm lifts in front or to the side or overhead press 5 lbs feels like 100 lbs. I cant wait until I can start using it normally again and get back to being more active.

[Proximal]

Damn eventful end of the year. I hope things/life is a little more normalized & calm now.

TY for the info & pics. NOT looking forward to this -trying to hold off as long as I can.