Shoulder....Venting

[Catrin]

Change is SOOO hard. I gave up my favorite gym and joined the YMCA - trying to be fiscally responsible. My observation of those using kettle bells at the Y is yikes! these folks have no idea how to swing a kettle bell. I am still trying out all the different group fitness classes to see what works best for my tricky knee. Yesterday I took a spin class, I haven't been on my bike since Thanksgiving, ugh. The instructor was at least more of bike rider than a spin instructor. She had us working on steady cadence while using "4" gears. The cadence was 100rpm which is quicker than I normally ride so I didn't get to carried away with pushing a big gear. The saddle on the spin bike was a PIA

Yes, sadly there are a lot of trainers who apparently have no idea that kettlebells aren't dumbbells and that a lack of proper form WILL cause injury. The dynamic nature (they don't stay stable in the hand) of KBs certainly contributes. Then there are those who think the so-called "American Swing" that Crossfitters do is healthy (swings are actually a hip exercise, not overhead - there are much better ways to do that such as the single arm snatch or long cycle (clean and jerk). If you want to do both arms at the same time then use 2 kettlebells.) But that's another story & it's not up to me to tell them what they're doing wrong, and they probably wouldn't appreciate it if I did... Of course, this can be said for ANY kind of lifting.

[azfiddle]

I have occasionally been a member of a the Chuze chain gym ($10 month for basic use) and the YMCA, which is only 6 blocks from my house and has a pool too.

[Pax]

Since I'm affiliated with the university I can buy a pass there for $35 a month, it gives me access to the finest facilities in the world, I mean absolute top shelf equipment and facilities... but they have bizarre hours coinciding with student schedules (holidays, end of semester, summer) that make getting into and keeping a routine really difficult. And the pool, while amazing, is kept at collegiate competitive temps which are really damned cold when you're not a young elite athlete.

[Catrin]

Can I just go ahead and order up two new shoulders and have them installed tomorrow please?

Sigh...trying not to complain. I've it so much better than some do with really bad shoulders. I am going to allow them to inject the torn shoulder again next week, it worked well when we last did that in September and got a good period of relief afterwards - though I already know I won't really be able to use the shoulder for a couple days following. I should allow them to fix that one at least, but this is a really intense time at work (it's a 4 year cycle) and I cannot, and will not, take the time off work right now. Also unsure I would actually get relief - "fixing" joints is always risky. Also, the other shoulder is MUCH worse and I fear that the additional stress wouldn't help that one. So...I am placing my order for those pretty new shoulders up there on the shelf, they look exactly my size

[Pax]

Really sorry to hear this, Catrin. Like you, I can handle my injuries and know how to work around them... but when they get worse or a new fun body part decides to get involved, it's maddening.

I join you in this with my new gait changes from the knee replacement surgery, now I have issues with posterior tibialis tendonitis in my good leg (foot).

[Catrin]

Thanks Pax! I also hear you about your knee. For me, those shin splints I got in my OTHER leg in October is still hanging around. I still think that part of that was due to my changed gait from the knee injury and repair.

I tried to find a closer shoulder Ortho, the one I've been seeing for my shoulder injections is quite some distance away. I figure that fixing my torn shoulder will eventually have to happen since it's deteriorating...so I should find someone closer. Getting to the surgeon's office after a surgery is hard enough, but 25 miles away makes it quite difficult when you can't drive yet.

So a good friend recommended someone and I called his office. He is with the same overall group as my current Ortho and he looked up his notes on me to decide if he could take over my care and...he passed. He passed because of the level of arthritic change in my OTHER shoulder and he did not think that he could provide proper care for BOTH shoulders.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad the Ortho was honest, but it's the first time that I've had a specialist turn me down (at all), but especially for that reason. A bit surreal for me. Sure wish I had known just how bad the shoulders were before I started competitive kettlebell training, but that's life.

[Pax]

That sucks that the surgeon turned you down, had the same thing happen to me in FL. Two ortho docs looked at my knee and declined their services, too much scar tissue in the joint. Took a few tries to find a doc who would take on my care... and when we go back to FL in the fall I have to find yet another doctor. Remember when it used to be if you got sick or injured you went to the doctor and they provided care?