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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 10, 2010 - 10:08pm PT
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Two weeks ago I got home late Sunday night from the Indian Creek sushi fest and BLM work day. Early Monday morning my neighbor comes over and asks me if I can help with some leaky plumbing damage control. I pick up the corner of her bed to move it off the soaked carpet and a loud RIP sound comes from my right elbow and I wince in considerable pain...
At first, I thought it was just a partial bicep muscle tear, but over the last week the bicep remains unresponsive and is changing shape. So, I go see a sports med MD Friday afternoon and after a fairly extensive exam he says "you have a significant defect in your bicep, I suspect a ruptured biceps tendon". So, he gets me into the MRI center asap and voila, 30 minutes later the MRI scans show that I have fully ruptured the distal (elbow) end of the biceps tendon and it has already retracted almost 2" up my arm. The options are live with a large decrease in arm strength the rest of your life or get the tendon surgically re attached... The surgery seems like the only choice to return to a normal athletic lifestyle, so I have an initial consult with the hand/arm Orthopod tomorrow.
Has anybody out there been through this or have any helpful information or advice?? Thanks in advance for any feedback. I'm not looking forward to the surgery, nor the multi month recovery, but there doesn't seem to be much choice...
Here's a link to a medical site that explains the injury and treatment options:
http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/34ffbd965d3b9e5830200ca769d460e2/area/8
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murcy
climber
sanfrancisco
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:18pm PT
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Sheesh, that really sucks. Sounds like surgery is the call for sure.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:19pm PT
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Get it fixed.
Make sure the surgeon is a serious sports Dr. and make sure he or she understands clearly what your goals for recovery and future use are. In some cases a stronger repair will mean a more difficult rehab, so ask the Dr. about this and stress the fact that you want a strong repair and will do the rehab thoroughly.
Go for it. You'll be sorry if you don't. And after the surgery make sure you have a good sport oriented P/T, and stick to the program strictly until you are 100%.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
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No Idea on this Dave, but I know they do a good job on the Achilles tendon. Karl is happy with his repair. I wish that I had repaired mine.
good luck and I hope that you heal quickly.
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bmacd
Trad climber
100% Canadian
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:23pm PT
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best wishes with the obvious choice, surgery
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:25pm PT
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Take pictures of your climbing exploits to your surgeon. You owe it to him to let him know what he is getting into. Then take the pics into your PT for the same reason. Get it fixed! Get a second opinion but don't wait much longer! Get er dun.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:27pm PT
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Dave-
Get it fixed!! I ruptured my left quadriceps tendon 10 years ago , and after surgical re-attachment it's fine. I can still climb, hike, etc. almost as good as ever. You need to do it soon! It means taking things easier than you may want to do for a while, but it beats the alternative of never climbing near your present level again.
Rodger
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:28pm PT
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I know four people who have done this (John Gill is one---he occasionally posts here). All have had surgery and have had successful outcomes with a return to climbing with no loss of strength. I'll check with the most recent "victim" about his experiences. In addition to a good surgeon, it is equally important to get good rehab people.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Oct 10, 2010 - 10:32pm PT
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1987, at the age of 50, I tore my right biceps off the forearm, and it rolled up as you have described. I chose to have it surgically reattached, within a few days time - you don't have a lot of time before reattachment becomes problematical - and I wore a cast for a few weeks, then gradually rehabbed the arm on my own, back to near the previous strength. Now it's the strong link in my arm, rather than the weak link. Bob Kamps, on the other hand, had a similar experience and decided to forgo surgery. This was some time before his death in 2005, I think, and he continued climbing at a very high level. You may not really need the bicep for most climbing if the underlying muscle is undamaged. Get professional orthopedic advice - quickly.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2010 - 11:07pm PT
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Thanks for the info so far - very much appreciated! I'm all ears for more. I'm especially curious about any kind of average time frame to get back to 100%? KS - per your post I will stress that I want a strong repair - I'm definitely up for whatever rehab is rquired. I just turned 50 recently - so I am in fitting in with the age bracket I'm hearing so far... Ugh.
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max factor
Trad climber
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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:30pm PT
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Dave,
I'm really sorry to hear about your injury.
I have worked with several people after surgical repair and most have done great. If the surgery is done quickly, without too much retraction of the tendon, the outcome is generally better and recovery is quicker. Get the repair done and then make sure you find a very good PT to help you through the recovery. Things need to be done correctly and at the right time so don't try to figure it all out on your own. Good treatment will really help things turn out well.
I know it seems like a long road ahead but you'll be back at it before you know it. When the Edge re-opens next July You will probably be first in line to get on it!
Let me know if I can help you out in any way.
Jeff
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:37pm PT
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There are a lot of negatives in this situation, but don't forget the big
positive: After the surgery you get to lie around moaning things like "I
really need another beer Callie, but opening the refrigerator door just hurts
me so bad..."
And hey, she owes you big time for all the beers you brought her when she was
whining about her feet.
Good luck with it. Keep us posted.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:42pm PT
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Scarpelli did this on "the belly" . Was stoic for years(?) "so, I got a unicep, bfd"?
But eventually even he , got it fixed.
I had minor tears bilaterally, from a wide proj on the Cliffs of Insanity, in 2002. They got better but have never been the same...
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:42pm PT
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Bob Kamps, on the other hand, had a similar experience and decided to forgo surgery. This was some time before his death in 2005, I think, and he continued climbing at a very high level.
I will check with someone who knows, and get back if I am wrong, but I am quite sure Bob ruptured his outer biceps tendon proximally (at the shoulder.) I have the same injury on my left side and it's impact on climbing is minimal to none. A top notch sports ortho advised me not to fix it. It does effect certain strengths, but mostly when the arm is internally rotated and lifting or twisting out.
This is a different injury than rupturing the larger inner bicep at the elbow.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:45pm PT
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True true. And I had two busted feet. I will be happy to get him a beer for this bicep rupture...and the next one too. :)
Oh man, I hope this is the last one!
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nature
climber
Whereverland....
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Oct 11, 2010 - 12:31am PT
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the path of allopathic medicine is generally a last resort for me.
I'd go under "the knife" on this one w/o doubt.
so sorry to hear about this. dam... ouch. dam.
keep us posted.
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mongrel
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
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Oct 11, 2010 - 12:35am PT
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Ksolem is totally right, as far as I know. Surgery, as quickly as you can get it done; but after that, PT determines how well it will function. It is crucial for everyone that you get care from to know that you're going to be climbing on it again, and soon, so let's get on with it. My guess is, climbing possible in a few months, but 100 percent will take a year or two. But you don't need that. Don't rip it again, and you can do just about everything you used to climb with only 80 or 90 percent. I shattered an ankle almost 30 years ago and no way is it 100 percent (or ever could have been) but since then I've done just about all of the best climbing, skiing, walls, you name it, that I have ever done.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Oct 11, 2010 - 12:50am PT
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I dunno, ksol, I thought bob's was at elbow end, but I could be wrong. The unicep joke makes more sense your way
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Dragon with Matches
climber
Bamboo Grove
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Oct 11, 2010 - 01:25am PT
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Dave - I experienced complete distal biceps tendon rupture a year ago. I found a very good sports surgeon and opted for the more involved surgery, involving drilling a hole through the radius bone, threading the tendon through and suturing tendon to the outside of the radius. Wanted a bombproof anchor and it seems to have worked. I went four months without climbing but the recovery went pretty quickly - six months after surgery I was sending 4 letter grades below my previous level on steep limestone and this winter I expect to reach new redpoint grades at age 40.
Not a terrible experience on the whole. Stay positive.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Oct 11, 2010 - 01:36am PT
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no useful experience or medical advice, but plenty of sympathy. Major bummer. Hope you get through this quickly and back to 100%.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 11, 2010 - 09:31am PT
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Thanks again for all the info and advice. I'm off to consult with the Ortho this morning... more later. Remember the TV show 6 Million Dollar Man? I think the punch line was something like "we can rebuild him, make him better than he was" - that's what I'm talking about!
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:18am PT
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BN,
I had mine repaired 3 years ago along with a completely torn rotator....best investment I could have made, great returns!
Charlie D.
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:19am PT
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So sorry to hear this.
And from moving a bed....
Damnit!!!
Dude, you're stout~ I have full confidence.
Good luck.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:33am PT
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Dave,
I had this same injury 3 years ago, from a freakish surfing accident. I had a surgeon here in Boulder fix it and it's as good as new.
The surgeon who did mine had written medical articles about the procedure. When I asked him about the risk that the fix might fail in the future, he said that this was so unheard of that he could write an article about it if it occurred.
Call me and I'll give you the details. You'll be fine.
Rick
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Skeptimistic
Mountain climber
La Mancha
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:39am PT
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I second the post that advised showing pics of your previous level of function. Very important for your PT to know what you are capable of and what you want to get back to. Just saying it sometimes isn't as powerful as seeing it.
The PT may not be able to get you back to the level you want while you are still in therapy, but can design a post-therapy program that can get you there.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:49am PT
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Dave-
The longer you wait to get it surgically repaired, the longer the delay in getting into rehab will become...
Don't wait on this; surgical sports medicine is great in this country. You live in a great place to get first-rate help.
It took a long time to rehab on my quadriceps tendon rupture, but after less than a year later I was out doing some 14ers in Colorado. Missouri Mountain and Mt. Princeton. I had to move slow to be sure I didn't fall on my a$$ but could "do it."
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 11, 2010 - 12:28pm PT
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Be sure to keep us posted!!!!
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climbrunride
Ice climber
Purgatory, CO
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Oct 11, 2010 - 02:06pm PT
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That sucks!
The sooner you start recovery from surgery, the sooner you'll be back at it. Just be a good patient and don't do anything the doc & PT say you shouldn't do yet. Otherwise you might restart the recovery clock, so to speak.
Good luck.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Oct 11, 2010 - 03:33pm PT
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Not sure about Kamps' injury. Thought it was the same as mine, but maybe not. Lots of advice about getting a PT. That's probably the best way to go, although after consulting my surgeon he said my exercises were so specialized and unusual I might do it myself, and I did, quite successfully. There was very little if any pain during recuperation, and the surgeon had merely chuckled when I asked him if I would be able to do a one-arm pull-up again, saying "very doubtful". A year later I was doing one with no problems or pain. It did take about a year to get up to full strength and performance. Biggest problem: teaching my math classes using my left hand, but my students and I survived that!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Oct 11, 2010 - 03:51pm PT
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Maybe like the "Tommy John" surgery, this should be the "John Gill" surgery and you'll be climbing BETTER when you're done!!! :-)
Best of luck gittin' it done and on the road to recovery Dave!!
Thanks for pioneering the paths the rest of us might go down in the next few years!
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 11, 2010 - 08:18pm PT
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Well, I'm on for surgery mid day tomorrow 10/12... I've made it clear to the Doc that I want the most robust repair possible and he's on the same page. I just picked up my pain meds and I'm getting some things ready around the house for gimp access. Thanks for everybody's input, advice and concern - much appreciated! Hopefully I'll recover as well as several of the folks who wrote about their experiences with the same injury (JGill - I'd like to be able to do a one arm pull up at 51! Now that would be a good next Bday present!).
Ok, I'll follow up post surgery when possible. In the meantime, everybody else get out there and climb a classic and I'll live vicariously through your posts :-)
Ciao,
BNuts
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 11, 2010 - 08:23pm PT
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Good luck, please post TR with lurid photos! (Crimpie can advise.) Sounds like one arm/hand at least should work for computer things.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 11, 2010 - 09:23pm PT
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I will report tomorrow afternoon with how he's doing. Now, just to fly back to town in time...
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Oct 11, 2010 - 09:27pm PT
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Vibes sent!
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:05pm PT
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Good thoughts going your way?
Erik
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:15pm PT
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I'm thinking you guys should be well past your surgery/injury quota once you get over this thing, so it will be smooth sailing next year!!! Good vibes coming your way for the repair tomorrow!!! So be a good boy, do all your PT and eat your veggies!!!
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 11, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
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BN-
Best of luck and best wishes for a great outcome. We'll lift a cold one at the OC some time for your "rehab." I'll buy!!
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coppertone
Trad climber
CT
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:03pm PT
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Email me if you like. I just had the exact same surgery this past march. I would be happy to answer any questions you have. Everything should go fine. I had my surgery at 2 1/2 weeks and I am doing great climbing and playing all sports without any restrictions or issues
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:19pm PT
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I'll post up some photos tomorrow. Can't wait to see BN in his cute blue surgery beanie. :)
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:20pm PT
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Best wishes and thoughts for your surgery, Dave.
You get better fast, you hear!!!!
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:21pm PT
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Cheers and good healing I had the same surgery at 40. 10 years later It's better than new. Done a few walls since and it's bomber. Be patient and view your rehab as training to climb. took me about a year to get back to 100%. though I can't bring myself to dyno any more.
This guy was a real inspiration to do the work.
and before you know it:
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:38pm PT
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best wishes going your way BrassNuts, for a successful surgery and a complete recovery
don't forget, there is always stinkbugging...
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:53pm PT
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hey there say, brassnuts and crimpie... sorry to hear all this... sorry i am so late to send best wishes here... will sure be praying...
best wishes for tomorrow, too...
god bless..
:)
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 12, 2010 - 12:05am PT
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hey there say, brassnuts, and any that may need it...
here is a neat, small page about various answers to the
"why me, at this time" etc, type wonders--meaning the chore
did not seem so hard, etc, or, we seemed to be in shape,
at the time--
as to what sets off such rips, and similar rips, to occur, in other areas:
http://www.eorthopod.com/node/10924
well, just added it, for if any needed to wanted to take
a peek at it...
god bless, all...
*oh my... well, nite all, not a good night for me, all my typing is going backwards, here--had to fix-up too much of it... :O .... :(
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 12, 2010 - 12:20am PT
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Thanks for everybody's information, advice and encouragement! I'm off to bed shortly. In the am I'll be picking up Callie at DIA very early, then an ECG (the 'benefit' of being 50...), then off to surgery. I'm planning to be able to enjoy a drink with my CG tomorrow night to celebrate a successful surgery. Mixed with percocet, it should be a good time. Cheers :-) Oh yeah, BrokedownClimber, I'll look forward to that cold one at OC's in the near future!
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RDB
Social climber
way out there
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Oct 12, 2010 - 12:41am PT
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I tore both mine off two years ago, also distal tears. It sucked and glad they were several months apart. Key as everyone has said is surgery, get it done quickly. Hopefully within 7 to 10 days max. Don't let the docs talk you out of surgery. Make sure you get a surgeon that understands what you do and that you need a working bicep. Rehab was actually pretty easy. I tore my first in early spring and was on M6 and vert ice by winter. Second one was not repaired as well and has taken longer to come around.
Real key is get it done quickly. The faster you do the faster your recovery will be.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 12, 2010 - 08:16pm PT
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BrassNuts update:
I got up at 2am and drove to get to the KCMO airport (my g'ma had passed away and I was out of town at the funeral). Got a 6:45am flight and was in Denver at 7:40.
We drove straight to the hospital for his ECG. Then they took him directly in for surgery well before the scheduled time.
The surgery went fine and happily the surgeon did not have to use a tendon graft from his leg. The surgeon did have to trim a little bit of the tendon away as it was trashed - this shouldn't affect the outcome.
BN had some "spicy" pain for a while but we got it under control at the hospital. He is home now fighting sleep with his forearm stuck up in the air to reduce the pain.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Oct 12, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
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Best of luck on a a swift recovery.
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Mason
Trad climber
Yay Area
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Oct 12, 2010 - 10:24pm PT
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Dude, that sounds heinous. Can't imagine having my bicep tendon slingshot up into my arm and away from the attachment point.
Crazy! Hope the surgery went well.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 12, 2010 - 10:34pm PT
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BN-
In the picture you are doing exactly what you should be doing: KEEP IT ELEVATED!! I had pain killers (percocets) for my pain after my tendon reattachment in my leg, but the side effect is you can't $hit worth a $hit. Drink gallons of juice (they recommend prune juice, but I hated the stuff and drank orange juice by the gallo. After 2-3 days I simply quit the pain pills.
Rodger
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Oct 13, 2010 - 12:01am PT
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Callie
I'm SO RELIEVED!!!!!!
I hope you both are getting lots of well deserved ZZZZZZ's!!!!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 13, 2010 - 10:41am PT
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Thanks again. The advice and well wishes do mean a lot to him.
He slept well last night. The hardest part is keeping the cat off the arm. She did this with my feet too. It's as if she knows they are injured (or more likely she is looking for the hot spot)!
Ah, the old anesthesia/pain killer constipation thing. That is some bad stuff. We are pumping him full of juice and metamucil. Being clogged is heinous beyond words. :)
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Oct 13, 2010 - 10:47am PT
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Glad to hear everything went well. Both of you should be planning climbing trips for the summer.
Rick
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Fritz
Trad climber
Hagerman, ID
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Oct 13, 2010 - 10:52am PT
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Best wishes for a quick and full recovery!
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RDB
Social climber
way out there
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Oct 13, 2010 - 11:18am PT
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It will all be just a memory soon enough.....just pump the juice and S.S.ers or the side effects will be much longer lasting and more life changing :)
Looking good!
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scuffy b
climber
Eastern Salinia
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Oct 13, 2010 - 11:24am PT
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Pound the juice and fiber, stay ahead of the pain, of course you know
all this.
Physical therapy, no problem for someone with your dedication and
drive.
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Disaster Master
Sport climber
Arcata / Santa Rosa, CA
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Oct 13, 2010 - 11:29am PT
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You have got to be kidding! It sucks to hurt yourself, but to do it helping someone out? Damn!
Best of luck, my man.
Paul and Ruth
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coppertone
Trad climber
CT
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Oct 13, 2010 - 01:02pm PT
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I found that that double stuff oreos worked great for the backed up issue and you get to enjoy the remedy.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 13, 2010 - 01:41pm PT
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Heal well, and stay hydrated! And enjoy the cuddle time with Pente.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Oct 13, 2010 - 02:57pm PT
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I suppose this means no Black Canyon climbing this fall. Bummer.
Being laid low isn't all that bad. Since I've been out with my broken toes, I've been watching like 12 hours of football every weekend. Around the water cooler on Mondays I'm now a presence.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Oct 14, 2010 - 11:33pm PT
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Hope BrassNuts is healing up well...
here he is contemplating beating the reaper on the second pitch of British Steel at the 5.10c crux
(Razor Back, Tuolumne Meadows)
which he turned quite nicely
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 14, 2010 - 11:40pm PT
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hey there say, oh my... that one pic, seems he had been eating the ol' popeye spinach.... ;)
god bless...
:)
so glad all is doing well, for the next side trail, leading to being well... you got to just sit and enjoy the scenery for a bit though, before taking the whole hike, so to speak... :)
:)
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Bob D'A
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Oct 14, 2010 - 11:44pm PT
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Dave...I have managed to climb a few hard routes without a left bicep (birth defect)...good luck with everything.
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deepnet
Boulder climber
CA
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Oct 15, 2010 - 12:30am PT
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I just sustained a near complete detatchment on the morning of 10/01.
MRI shows it hanging on by a 2 mm thread. What sucks is I was nearly ready to return to climbing after a 4 mo. layoff for a rotator cuff injury to my left arm. So this blow-out is in my right arm. I did it playing disc golf which I had got into pretty heavy for something to do while my left arm healed.I consult with the surgeon tomorrow and am happy I read the earlier treads regarding the more bombproof fix. It really sucks getting old!!!
Good luck Brass "it aint over..just a little delayed"
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 15, 2010 - 12:52am PT
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It really sucks getting old!!!
I thought that was MY line, but you can borrow it....
BN-hope things are less painful and you no longer need either Vicodan or Percocets; if that's the case, no more prune juice either!
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Oct 15, 2010 - 05:04am PT
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Glad to hear it went well. Enjoy the drugs and then on to rehab.
Good thing us old climbers are tough!
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 15, 2010 - 10:32am PT
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Thanks for the well wishes. Looks like today might mark the end of my percocet haze. Pain is now light to moderate so I'm looking forward to thinking more clearly and getting my digestive tract back on track.
Ed - Thanks for the posting the slab pics. Perhaps I will become a career stinkbugger once I rehab. :)
Cosmic - Thanks for putting my arm back in place. That was fast! :)
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 22, 2010 - 01:30am PT
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Update? Have you taught the birds any new words, while on your sickbed?
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2010 - 07:41pm PT
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Things are going pretty well as a lefty only... I've been doing light projects around the house, went back to work this week and I've been getting out for a hike most every day. Haven't taught the parrots any new words, but they like to perch on the cast... I get my stitches out on Monday, then into the frankenstein-like range of motion brace for ~4 weeks to get the arm straight. Then, the strength rebuild begins! It will be sobering to see the muscle atrophy when the cast is removed. Ok, where's the next climbing movie and my Herradura Anejo? :-)
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 22, 2010 - 07:47pm PT
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Make sure that you milk Crimpie's TLC for all it's worth!
Edit: Trust Locker to muddy the waters.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 22, 2010 - 08:19pm PT
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Here is my perspective of the post-surgery BN. On percocet he nearly killed me. He wanted to drive. To play with power tools. To climb ladders. To drink beer. They should have immobilized his legs too! I started considering eating his percocet after a while. :)
Even when he was feeling better, he would sleep a bit more than he usually does - And in places he usually doesn't sleep.
Off percocet he returned to his normal rational self. Still he is playing with power tools, driving (a little) and drinking beer with one arm.
He's doing well for having the use of the left arm only and he's adjusting to it psychologically too. He wants as little assistance as possible. So, that means I have to sit back and let him cook and stuff. :)
Monday we learn lots more about the rest of the recovery. We'll grab some photos of the wound, stitch removal and other stuff and post it on this thread for those who are interested.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Oct 22, 2010 - 09:58pm PT
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It will be sobering to see the muscle atrophy when the cast is removed
No big deal . . . you're a youngster!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Oct 22, 2010 - 10:41pm PT
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Glad things are going well... hang in there Callie! Behave Dave! :-)
I never really got much out of percosets when I was taking them after a bike wreck a few years back. Even washing them down with beer didn't help.
Here's some motivation...git that arm back in working order!
We got routes to climb!
This one is just to remind you that this will pass...
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thedogfather
climber
Somewhere near Red Rocks
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Oct 22, 2010 - 11:13pm PT
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Vegas is waiting for the return trip.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 23, 2010 - 12:02am PT
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Monkey of Steel and Father of Dog,
I vill be ready for a rematch at your local areas as soon as the anatomy is ready to go...
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Oct 24, 2010 - 04:03pm PT
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Bump for Dave. . .
I hope you're gunna lift a beer or two next week. . .
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 24, 2010 - 04:57pm PT
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He's really excited for tomorrow morning's appt to get the cast off and stitches out. Mostly, he wants to scratch his itchy arm! I hope I don't go woozy and pass out. If so, I'm sure he'll get some photos. :)
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 24, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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It will be ....different. Make sure to be sitting down when you first flex the arm. Have a few beers available, as well.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 26, 2010 - 11:01pm PT
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BrassNuts update:
We headed to the surgeon yesterday and he got the cast and stitches removed. It was like reality tv...the anticipation... the waiting... and finally, the reveal...
His arm has atrophied a fair amount. The doctor was quick to point out that it'll get WAY WORSE!
He's a funny guy. Anyhow, thought we'd post up the 'reveal' and some other photos. He's not to excited with the continued recovery, but overall, he's taking it better than I thought he would.
After getting the cast/wrap off, he was fitted with his new 'comfortable' arm brace. It restricts how much he can open up his arm. He's stuck with no more than 90 degrees for two weeks. Then he'll get more angle every two weeks for what seems an eternity. While it's not the most comfortable thing, it does given him more freedom to do some things he loves...
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Oct 26, 2010 - 11:44pm PT
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What's dat on his left hand, Crimpie?????
hee hee hee
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 26, 2010 - 11:46pm PT
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Make no mistake, he is the cook in this house. Either he cooks, or we both live on toast. :)
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:43am PT
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BN-
Good to see you "doing what you like best!" I'm afraid I will not make the shindig at Sherpas this weekend. Going out of town.
Cheers!
Rodger
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Captain...or Skully
Big Wall climber
Transporter Room 2
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Oct 27, 2010 - 01:00am PT
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Toast & beer were made for each other.
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BASE104
climber
An Oil Field
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Oct 27, 2010 - 01:45am PT
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I always hear that surgery is the only real option as well. I know a couple of people who had this happen. All full recovery and cranking.
If that had happened to me, and on the LEFT arm, I would have been a lonely dude.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:00pm PT
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good to see you on the way to recovery!
step #1: recover ability to drink beer while executing other tasks with left-hand!
it's only uphill from here (or is that downhill? or is this a completely wrong analogy?)
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Disaster Master
Social climber
Born in So-Cal, left my soul in far Nor-Cal.
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:06pm PT
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Keep on recovering. Visualize cracks and knobs. And when your down just remember: What ever doesn't kill us give's us scar-tissue.
OK that one sucks. How bout a Simpson's quote. "Broken bones heal and chiks dig scars."
Happy healing,
Paul
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:09pm PT
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Hey Base104, there is an official Government pamphlet entitled "Masturbatory techniques for the handicapped". Just in case.
Good to see you on the mend BNuts.
Call me if you ever need a motivational talk from someone who has been around the block a dozen times.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 27, 2010 - 01:54pm PT
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I liked this photo. It took these two women, and eventually the surgeon intervening to get the arm brace on properly. Awesome expression of confidence radiating from BN!
Maybe he'll get on here later. He can now type about 10 words a minute - it's almost a 100% improvement! :)
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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How's the gimpster doing?
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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BN-
The atrophy isn't as bad as rehabbing it oh-so-slowly. Take it easy at the outset; it WILL take some time...
Hope to see you and Crimpie this weekend at the get together for Silver...if the weather doesn't stay bad!
BDC
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Nov 10, 2010 - 05:16pm PT
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Good luck BN!
ZB
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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It's been a long time for an update. Since the brace went on, it has come off. Then he got to start doing some curls. The one pound curls were pretty funny looking though doing 100 in a row is not as easy as it sounds! He's up to 15 lbs at 50 curls at a time now.
In the interim, he's been taking lots of great photos, playing in the wood shop and just getting a lot of stuff done around the house. He's been really productive...that is about to come to a screeching halt I fear.
Why?
Today he got to climb for the first time! I've not got photos but we went to the plastic palace. He lead up to 5.9s and felt perfectly good. Said it felt exactly as he thought it would - a little weak, a little slow on the firing, but not painful. I do think the hardest part was a) being in the gym, b) having to climb only 5.9s, and c)getting a bit pumped on them!
I think he'll be back to 100% within a month. Here is to hoping he doesn't rip anymore muscles off his bone. And hoping none of you do it either!
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J. Werlin
Social climber
Cedaredge, CO
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Well, he's already surpassed me on the curls. But that's the difference between a .22 and a howitzer I guess.
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JohnRoe
Trad climber
State College, PA
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go Dave...
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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good work Dave.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Yes !!!
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Happy bump for Mr. Brassnuts, photographuer excellente!
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2011 - 12:29pm PT
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Thanks everybody! It was a nice change to even just climb in the gym yesterday after 4 months on the horizontal plane only... Heading out for another plastic session tomorrow. I'll keep it light for a couple of weeks and see how the new bi responds, then ramp up a bit more. My advice is don't move heavy furniture for your neighbors ;-)
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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go Dave go!
on the other hand (arm?), stinkbugs don't need guns...
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Disaster Master
Social climber
Born in So-Cal, left my soul in far Nor-Cal.
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Great to hear you are starting to pull down again.
-Paul and Ruth
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