Getting old(er)

Keenanlog

Keenanlog

Location
Raymond, NH
I've recently had some bad shoulder pain. Going to the Dr Thursday to get it looked at. Feels like rotator cuff, but can't say for sure. Anyone deal with anything similar before? And if surgery was required for you what was the recovery time before returning to work? Just trying to ease my anxiety. Thank you.
 
Unless you had an injury that tore something, it's most likely just a strain or imbalance that isn't lining the shoulder up right and causing it to not move smoothly or impinge somewhere. Most of these things can be fixed with a little work to put the right strength and flexibility in the right places. The shoulder isn't actually a joint, it's just lined up by a bunch of ligaments and muscles. My recommendation from experience is to put in a little extra time exercising and stretching to make sure everything is strong, balanced and flexible enough for our physically demanding occupation. I also like working with a sports medicine doctor and physical therapist who are better at understanding my perspective of working to keep my body doing what I need it to or at least getting the most out of it, instead of just diminishing my activities and productivity to accommodate. I hope that's encouraging and /or helpful.

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I go to the OSU sports med branch as well. They seem to much better with folks like us and can provide infobre stretches as exercises as previously mentioned.
 
Thanks! I am actually seeing a sports medicine Dr. This morning. I do notice working it loosens up. I do do yoga at night to help keep flexible. We'll see what he says this morning. Thanks for the replies!
 
Keenanlog said:
I've recently had some bad shoulder pain.
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Welcome to the world of most climbing arborists! I've learned through the years what hurts me the most and I try to avoid it. Tending slack, that upward pull with my right hand, really wrecks my right shoulder so I do it left handed. One tip that will save you too is to let your groundie pull saws or heavier blocks and slings up for you. It's a lot easier on the shoulders for him to pull down than for you to pull up. Rubber band rotator exercises can help minor damage and pain. I hope all turns out well.
 
All is good. Just a ligament getting pinched due to inflammation. I appreciate all the responses and tips. Doing this as well as logging for a while and this is the first sign of wear and tear and wanted to be proactive. I'm sure its not the last! Thanks again.
 
The wear and tear sneaks up on you. Look at your ergonomics and determine which motions can be reworked or modified with newer techniques and kit.
 
My partner went to some oriental therapist. She heated up a flat stone and pressed it into his shoulder along with some massaging. He has felt no pain in 3 months. It has something to do with ligaments being out off place and this treatment lines everything back up. I get the same pains but mild to what others feel and only occasionally. If I sleep at night on my back with my arm behind my head I get awakened in a couple hours to extreme discomfort.
 
BuckmasterTreeService said:
The best thing I did for my shoulders was getting a ladder. I am still tying in before I climb the ladder. You would be amazed at how much better you feel at the end of the week by saving yourself that little climb into the canopy.
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I call it "taking the stairs" only this time, its the easier version.

A lightweight 25' ladder that I got for free 10 years ago has saved so much work, and some line setting at shorter heights.

The thicker the tree, the easier the ladder works.
 
You probably know this but stretching can prevent injurys. I always stretch before work and do some strength training a few times a week.
Preventive maintenance is always more economical then rehabilitation.
 
I have been through 3 rotator cuff surgeries. Climbed hurt for 4 years. Doctor kept saying it was inflammation. I finally found a place that I could pay $350 and self refer to get an MRI. found out I had a tear in each shoulder. Anyhow my advice to anyone that has shoulder pain that keeps coming back is if your doctor will not give you an MRI, and they always resist it, find one of these places that you can just pay. they are out there and aren't expensive. Because without the MRI you or your doctor is guessing. A tear may heal on its own but may cause problems later. A scope surgery with take out for a few months. The place I went was called the MRI center in LA. I hope this helps someone.
 
Seems like time for a pointed question, "So Doctor, can you write down the evidence that point that this is only inflammation, since your certain, and what contraindications prove that it is nothing beyond inflammation, so no other diagnostic testing is needed, and sign it?".
 
I'm in a similar bind with my ankle. I still have pain daily, varying from general ache and swelling to acute, sharp and very specific. The orthopedic surgeon is long gone and the pain management specialist sees it as something to live with thru the miracle of modern pharmacology. It's a WC claim and the insurer wants to finalize it. My lawyer, yes I was told to get a lawyer, is basically pushing this along to finalize the settlement. Wonder who he's working for? :nocausagracia:
 
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