Pre-Season Injury

[T J Furstenau]

Disc - Encouraging Words

Well guys, I didn't realize what an esteemed group of inured sailors we had here! I'm pretty much right along with what the overall theme has been, PT to strengthen the core and help prevent future issues, minimize playing Hulk Hogan, and use the head to work smart rather than the back to work harder. Fortunately I have had minimal to no leg/sciatica issues, it's just been the sharp pain in the back at the disk and the related back muscle cramping. Surgery isn't even in the picture right now and in my mind is an absolute last resort.I like the idea of the Milwaukee offset drill and bit, and if after the first outing or two I find that hauling up the main is too much of an effort for my wife or oldest two kids, I'll definitely put it on the list for father's day. Also, the idea of running the anchor rode back to the cockpit to bring up on the winch, don't know why I didn't think of that. Finally, my last concern is along the lines of William's comments, the fear of losing footing, and that slip which I would not have thought twice about last year results in a major 'twinge'.Thanks all for letting me know that I'm not in this boat alone (every pun intended), and here's to a fast approaching sailing season!T J

 

[Honeyman]

Couple an L4...

compression fracture with a total hip replacement at 52 and you're in my boat. My vote is also for water therapy. Helps a lot with building core strength and flexibility. I severely strained the L4 a second time (after the fracture) while playing "grinder" on the 12 meter Stars and Stripes down in St. Maarten. It was after that incident that I found out that massive doses of Motrin, 800mg at a time, really went a long way to providing some relief. Best of luck.

 

[nebo]

Blown-out disks

I blew out L4-L5 in an auto accident in 1999. Had a lamentctomy. One year later, almost to the day, my youngest son bounced on me one morning and when I tried to get out of bed I fell on the floor. The sciatica was back, the Igor walk, the whole nine yards. Laminectomy #2. After the first surgery I thought I was healed! NOT. I was playing the bass in a blues gig 48 hours later. After the second one I have paid more attention to what my back is telling me. A good chair back for support, excercise, stretching, a wide weightlifter's belt works wonders. Avoid rotational stress at all costs, but your arms weren't injured. I am an electrician by trade and must pull wire often and as long as I don't over-rotate my back it never gives me much grief. Otherwise, hot baths with 1/2 bottle of rubbing alcohol and beg mama for a back rub.But singlehanding my 222 never makes it hurt. I guess attitude counts for something.Good luck. You're gonna need it.Nebo

 

[Bob7291]

maybe you can...

Find a young guy who's never been sailing but wants to learn - you might just kill two birds by teaching him some of what you know and letting him do the heavy hauling.