Stick situation regarding long term sick & buying a house/keeping up with payments

Fire_Fox

I work/ am qualified in lifestyle healthcare and one of my 'special interests' is postural problems. I've only skimmed your posts but you have an awful lot of injuries, you should not be putting all that down to bad luck.

Soft tissue injuries (muscles/ tendons/ ligaments) can all relate back to one root issue or can spark off one another, especially when they have been serious enough to lay you up or need operations. Small stabilising muscles can get lazy, can switch off because switching on is painful, can go into spasm and pull your posture out of alignment/ cause the opposing muscle to switch off. An injury is one part of the body can have repercussions up and down the body, *usually* (but not always) across so left leg-right arm or right leg-left arm. You saying you favour one side will feed into imbalances across the body, the fact that you lift at work AND lift at the gym AND play sport could mean you are under-recovered which leaves joints unstable. Sometimes after injury or an operation instead of the core/ stabilisers turning on a millisecond before you move they turn on a millisecond after you move. :eek: If you are lifting weights or moving quickly this can spell disaster.

Sprained ankles will permanently weaken the ligaments so are prone to re-injury, but can often indicate weakness in the deep abs and back muscles and can cause a tight soleus (lower calf). Knee injuries often signify weak glutes (hip/ buttock) muscles or imbalances in the quads (front of thigh); weak glutes are classic for hamstring strains in athletes. Tight calves may feed into lazy glutes and so it goes on.

Self treating is not what you should be doing until you have been diagnosed, you could overwork the damaged area or worsen existing imbalances. The rotator cuff is not one muscle it is a group of muscles and there are a number of different related problems that can occur. A muscle, more than one muscle, tendon, muscle and tendon. IMO you need a full movement assessment from a sports physiotherapist, CHEK practitioner, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist or Modern Pilates advanced instructor. I'd take bets you'd benefit from standing stability work - Flexi-bar, Swiss ball, BOSU - combined with Self Myofascial Release with a foam roller to get rid of trigger points, overly dominant or tight muscles, some scarring. SMR sound weird but it's basically just DIY sports massage!

Slightly more on topic you could use any physical assessment/ report you have as evidence for work. The qualifications I mention are some of the best in the industry, and lead to registration categories with registration bodies REPs or NCPC so you can prove to your employer you are working with genuine professionals. Hopefully they will stop disbelieving you and give you the chance to resolve any issues that are flagged up.

BarrelScraper

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I work/ am qualified in lifestyle healthcare and one of my 'special interests' is postural problems. I've only skimmed your posts but you have an awful lot of injuries, you should not be putting all that down to bad luck.

Soft tissue injuries (muscles/ tendons/ ligaments) can all relate back to one root issue or can spark off one another, especially when they have been serious enough to lay you up or need operations. Small stabilising muscles can get lazy, can switch off because switching on is painful, can go into spasm and pull your posture out of alignment/ cause the opposing muscle to switch off. An injury is one part of the body can have repercussions up and down the body, *usually* (but not always) across so left leg-right arm or right leg-left arm. You saying you favour one side will feed into imbalances across the body, the fact that you lift at work AND lift at the gym AND play sport could mean you are under-recovered which leaves joints unstable. Sometimes after injury or an operation instead of the core/ stabilisers turning on a millisecond before you move they turn on a millisecond after you move. :eek: If you are lifting weights or moving quickly this can spell disaster.

Sprained ankles will permanently weaken the ligaments so are prone to re-injury, but can often indicate weakness in the deep abs and back muscles and can cause a tight soleus (lower calf). Knee injuries often signify weak glutes (hip/ buttock) muscles or imbalances in the quads (front of thigh); weak glutes are classic for hamstring strains in athletes. Tight calves may feed into lazy glutes and so it goes on.

Self treating is not what you should be doing until you have been diagnosed, you could overwork the damaged area or worsen existing imbalances. The rotator cuff is not one muscle it is a group of muscles and there are a number of different related problems that can occur. A muscle, more than one muscle, tendon, muscle and tendon. IMO you need a full movement assessment from a sports physiotherapist, CHEK practitioner, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist or Modern Pilates advanced instructor. I'd take bets you'd benefit from standing stability work - Flexi-bar, Swiss ball, BOSU - combined with Self Myofascial Release with a foam roller to get rid of trigger points, overly dominant or tight muscles, some scarring. SMR sound weird but it's basically just DIY sports massage!

Slightly more on topic you could use any physical assessment/ report you have as evidence for work. The qualifications I mention are some of the best in the industry, and lead to registration categories with registration bodies REPs or NCPC so you can prove to your employer you are working with genuine professionals. Hopefully they will stop disbelieving you and give you the chance to resolve any issues that are flagged up.

Very helpful reply. Thank you.

I no longer play sports due to the injuries i was picking up. Football was my thing, but i've stopped this & wont play again now. Shame, but long term knee health is my priority. I don't want to require a new knee in my 40s just for the sake of a few more games. Right now i'm not even jogging - i walk at an incline on the treadmill at a brisk walk pace.

Also as for lifting at work - it's not ALL day. I don't know how much of a difference this will make, but a lot of it is driving machinery. There's a lot of mounting/dismounting & then for e.g. i'll have to handle 20x 25kg bags onto a stack, but then i may not be lifting for another hour or so, similarly i may be lifting 5 minutes later. Unfortunately due to working 6 days a week, there's little chance of rest - which is why Sunday is my "day off" from everything, other than i'll only cycle/treadmill at the gym ... NO weights.

but can often indicate weakness in the deep abs and back muscles and can cause a tight soleus (lower calf)

Funny you say this - my calf muscles are really tight.
I went to see someone who did deep tissue massage & he got into my calf muscles (i also remember him using the word soleus). MY GOD did that hurt!!!!! I've been massaged by 2 people now & both have commented on how my muscles feel very tight (not just calf muscles).

weak glutes are classic for hamstring strains in athletes.

I'm no athlete, and i pretty much neglect my glutes, so that would tie in (perhaps) with the time i tore my hamstring when stretching. TBH i wouldn't even be able to tell you any glute exercises. It's quite bad of me to be neglecting areas such as stomach/back/glutes

IMO you need a full movement assessment from a sports physiotherapist,

Well, i am seeing a physiotherapist of some description in a couple of weeks. I don't know whether he/she is a sports therapist though.

I remember when i had the stress fracture of the fibula - all the physio did was put a heat lamp on my leg & left me there for an hour. Terrible.

Fire_Fox

You probably need to pay for an assessment with one of the professionals I mention, and to be taught some balance training and Self Myofascial Release over another couple of sessions. There is stuff online you can use as reminders, but IMO there is no substitute for feeling how the movement should feel when you have a professional putting you in exactly the right position.

A lot of tightness can be fixed with SMR - the more knots/ trigger points the more painful unfortunately to the point burly men are sweating and swearing! But I've had so many clients stand up after the first session on calves and be totally blown away by how different just walking feels. Do you have tightness or tenderness along the outer edge of the front of the thigh if you roll/ press a food can over it hard when you are sitting relaxed? If you look at a diagram I am thinking of the vastus lateralis and the iliotibial band area. Guys have more muscle tissue so the trigger points can be buried deep, you might have to have a good prod.

If you have long term issues you need to be using your foam roller or having a massage frequently, and massages can be expensive. So I have most of my clients buy their own foam roller and do a couple of teaching sessions, I can't see the point in them paying me to supervise something they can do themselves for free. If an area is too painful you just do a little every day, play the long game. Rarely is the second session half as painful as the first as long as you don't leave a huge gap so it all knots up again.

When you get back to the gym consider switching to the elliptical trainer. Bikes leave you all crunched up just as you are when driving/ at a computer/ slouched on the sofa. Also keep power walking hills on the treadmill - preferably intermittent with the flat - running is VERY tough on the body if you have postural distortions and imbalances. If you have not already get a gait analysis and fitted for some running/ walking trainers, a proper sports/ running shop will video you on a treadmill - it's interesting and usually free.

t0rt0ise

Have you had an ultrasound examination of the shoulder or is your GP simply sending you to a physiotherapist as a cheaper option? Or is it as someone else said a simple frozen shoulder that will go on its own anyway?

BarrelScraper

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You probably need to pay for an assessment with one of the professionals I mention,

how do you even find these people? And i know what you mean about there being no substitute - i've read on how to perform exercises & had literally no clue even when finished reading. Videos help, but there's nothing better than someone showing you 1-on-1.

Do you have tightness or tenderness along the outer edge of the front of the thigh if you roll/ press a food can over it hard when you are sitting relaxed? If you look at a diagram I am thinking of the vastus lateralis and the iliotibial band area.

I don't think i have pain on the outer edge there
However is the iliotibial band known as IT band for short? If so then the first chap who massaged my leg hit that spot & hell fire that was SORE!! I was asking him what the worst areas of the leg were to hit, just expecting him to tell me. Bang he hit this area & said does that hurt. Uuumm, yes!!!!

and massages can be expensive.

Even a £1 massage adds up over time, however my aunt isn't so bad £10 a session due to family rates.
The original chap i saw i think was about £15 a session, or it might've been £16 i can't remember.

I know this is cheap compared to others (i believe £40 a session isn't uncommon).

The original chap was discussing his prices with me one time as i said i was interested in the line of work. He told me another masseuse questioned how he could afford to have such low prices. He said he likes to prevent injury & can do this as his prices are low - so people go to him before they pick up injury as they can afford it. On the flip side, the person questioning was charging £40 a session, which people can't afford to just hand over every week/fortnight/whatever, so they only receive people once they're actually injured & NEEDING to have pain dealt with.

When you get back to the gym consider switching to the elliptical trainer. Bikes leave you all crunched up just as you are when driving/ at a computer/ slouched on the sofa.

I'm not a fan of the bike anyway - i really don't like it, but my GP said it would be good for my knee recovery (plica membrane removal as well as scraping of the rear of the kneecap). He seems to be right - after i've finished my knee feels nice & loose, but i hate biking.

I hit the treadmill as i walk at a 9% incline & a speed of 6.0 (km/h i think?) & it burns plenty of calories seemingly - more than anything else.

I used to hit the cross-trainer before the treadmill, but i've been avoiding them really since i did my shoulder, OR if i go on them then i don't use the arm part of the machine.

If you have not already get a gait analysis and fitted for some running/ walking trainers, a proper sports/ running shop will video you on a treadmill - it's interesting and usually free.

I went to a shop in Kendal for this. I forget now what they said my gait was - i think it was over pronating.

I would try & run straight as you like on the treadmill, but they showed me on the replay that one of my feet was kicking/flicking out where the other one wasn't. Was strange.
I ran again & tried to stop this as i was then conscious of it - it didn't work :rotfl: I know there's reasonably heavy wear on the outside of my shoes when you look at the heel.

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Have you had an ultrasound examination of the shoulder or is your GP simply sending you to a physiotherapist as a cheaper option? Or is it as someone else said a simple frozen shoulder that will go on its own anyway?

I've had nothing of the shoulder. My own personal opinion of ultrasound is a very dim one. I've had it in the past & it's never turned out positive results. By that i mean it's never got me closer to ANY answer.
Such as with my problem leg which was discussed by specialists of the lower leg up & down the country. It was an MRI scan which after 18-24months of probing, finally gave us an answer.

So it's an MRI scan that i'm wanting for my shoulder. I believe there's more to it than this though & it's actually an injection into the shoulder of some dye & then an MRI scan that i'm wanting.

Still, i've got to hope they refer me. Failing that i'm going to have to dip into my pocket., which tbh i would do as not knowing is the worst thing. I'd just rather not have to.

No mention of frozen shoulder at all by the GP.

Basically i turned up, told him what is happening with the shoulder, told him about the time i started noticing it.
He told me to stand up, perform a couple of movements (such as arm outstretched & raise upwards). I told him where it started feeling uncomfortable/painful.

He then said "torn shoulder" i'll refer you to the physio. You'll see him in a few weeks.

That was that.

BarrelScraper

Also FireFox -

I don't know how much you know in the area (& obviously i'll also be asking the physio when i see him), but to your knowledge, what shoulder injuries can be caused directly from doing a machine shoulder press?

I know rotator cuff tear injury will be one. I suspect from my research that Glenoid Labrum tear is another.

Anything else?

marybelle01

I can't and won't try to tell you what will or won't work - I don't even know what is wrong with you and if I did, I'm not a doctor. But have you asked / thought about alternative therapies. I have always had an interest in them and used them previously. But just recently (two weeks ago) I damaged my achilles tendon badly. Not accident prone like you, wasn't doing anything at all! It just gave out one morning. No reason. no explanation, and definitely not considering competing in the Olympics. I didn't realise I had damaged it straight away, so no doctor until the third day of hobbling around! Doctor gave me tablets. A week later and nothing had changed. Last Monday a different doctor said the tablets are ok, it can take 12 weeks to recover (and this is definitely no good to me - I am hiking in Ethiopia in 4 weeks!!!!), what about acupuncture because it seems to work. Wednesday I had my first ever acupuncture treatment, Friday I had a second. You may have noticed it's Saturday.... all pain gone and 95% total mobility back. No I am not "cured" - I still need more treatment and my ankle needs handling with a bit of care. But I am no longer wondering if I need to cancel my holiday!

I am not saying acupuncture is for you or your condition - but over many years, and especially living abroad a lot, I have learned that western medicine has some answers, but not all of them, and second opinions never hurt!

Fire_Fox

Interesting: yes the iliotibial band is the IT band, that is the worst area to work on with the foam roller (if you have a problem with it, not everyone does). Not surprised you have that given your knee issues and tight soleus. If you can afford weekly sports massages absolutely go ahead, you can do SMR at home in between.

Either ring around a few fitness centres or try these to find a professional
http://www.exerciseregister.org/
http://www.acpsm.org/
http://www.pfetraining.co.uk/pages/register-of-trainers--instructors/register-of-modern-pilates-practitioners.html
http://www.chekinstitute.com/UK/

Overpronating is starting on the outer edge of the heel and rolling in too far to the ball as you toe off. It is very common in women but can indicate weak glutes and puts extra strain on the knee joint. You *might* have trigger points in the peroneals (tiny muscle upper outer calf). Flicking out on one side is an indication you have a right-left imbalance perhaps in the front hip. I would expect this to be very clear if you have a movement assessment with any of the above practitioners without you having to tell them.

You are going to have to keep me updated with your progress, I am geekishly fascinated. :rotfl:

Fire_Fox

marybelle01 wrote: »

I can't and won't try to tell you what will or won't work - I don't even know what is wrong with you and if I did, I'm not a doctor. But have you asked / thought about alternative therapies. I have always had an interest in them and used them previously. But just recently (two weeks ago) I damaged my achilles tendon badly. Not accident prone like you, wasn't doing anything at all! It just gave out one morning. No reason. no explanation, and definitely not considering competing in the Olympics. I didn't realise I had damaged it straight away, so no doctor until the third day of hobbling around! Doctor gave me tablets. A week later and nothing had changed. Last Monday a different doctor said the tablets are ok, it can take 12 weeks to recover (and this is definitely no good to me - I am hiking in Ethiopia in 4 weeks!!!!), what about acupuncture because it seems to work. Wednesday I had my first ever acupuncture treatment, Friday I had a second. You may have noticed it's Saturday.... all pain gone and 95% total mobility back. No I am not "cured" - I still need more treatment and my ankle needs handling with a bit of care. But I am no longer wondering if I need to cancel my holiday!

I am not saying acupuncture is for you or your condition - but over many years, and especially living abroad a lot, I have learned that western medicine has some answers, but not all of them, and second opinions never hurt!

Interestingly a lot of the acupuncture points coincide with the trigger points used in SMR. :T

What do you mean by your achilles gave out one morning - did they call it tendinosis? Was it tight when you woke and relaxed somewhat through the day then tight again the next morning? Pain on going up onto the ball of the foot? If so a major cause is tight soleus combined with overuse, it's not an inflammation or injury it is wear and tear.

BarrelScraper wrote: »

Also FireFox -

I don't know how much you know in the area (& obviously i'll also be asking the physio when i see him), but to your knowledge, what shoulder injuries can be caused directly from doing a machine shoulder press?

I know rotator cuff tear injury will be one. I suspect from my research that Glenoid Labrum tear is another.

Anything else?

Shoulders are not my specialist subject. It might not be a full RC tear, I'd generally expect you to know you'd done that at the time of injury with intense pain. Could just be a muscle strain (superficial tear), tendonitis (inflammation in the tendon) which can be contributed to by trigger points in the RC muscle or impingement. The fact that you don't have pain during the day but you do after a day's work might suggest the RC is spasming/ trigger points. Whether that is primary or secondary you need the assessment to tell.
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Rotator-Cuff-Injury-and-Inflammation.htm

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if this will help the OP, but mentioning pain at the end of the day and with sleeping ... after my shoulder surgery my massage therapist suggested using a pillow to support my arm, and it made a HUGE difference! I had an extra pillow in bed for ages, and I still sometimes rest my arm on a cushion when watching TV, and I have a cushtie in the car for long journeys.

Apart from anything else, it was easier to get my arm comfortable if I moved the cushion gently and took the arm with it.