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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
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    1,910

    Default Reflections after the event.

    Up until the start of this year, I would have paid no heed to the thought of 25Kg, 50Kg or even greater weights being handled as I'm a boilermaker welder, built on a pretty large chassis and tossing steel about is my game. Then I fell down 2 stairs (my only explanation is that I think my leather apron may have caught on something, so my upper half continued forward, while my lower half stayed where it was) leading to me impacting my right shoulder on a steel clad wall (subsequent investigation revealed that I did in fact leave a dent in said wall). Subsequent X rays revealed that I had split the ball on the top of my humerus into at least four pieces. The orthopedic surgeon performed a reverse shoulder replacement on my right side (thank the lucky stars that I'm left handed). Among all the other day to day activities that were now impossible during my recovery (not meant to lift more than a coffee cup for 6 weeks), my shed time was very much curtailed. Even now, I consciously think about what, why and how before I attempt to lift of move heavy or awkward objects where once I would just hook in and some activities are still borderline awkward/painful (for example operating a drill press handle). In the interests of full disclosure, I'm probably starting to reach the age (48) where my body is starting to give me the warnings that I'm not 21 anymore as well. Not an invalid by any stretch, but recovery from stupid actions does take longer.
    We easily become complacent and neglect to find better or safer ways to do things. The plan to put a monorail or swinging gantry in that could service the lathe, shaper and turret mill, once a pipe dream that came and went has now attained a new sense of urgency and I put more thought into planning operations so as to prevent unnecessary strain. My 81 year old father is more flexible than I am now.
    It is early days yet and I will gain more flexibility.
    On the bright side, the Hospital did send me a list of the hardware, (number, type and size) used to perform the replacement I'm happy to provide the list to anyone that wants to have a go in their backyard workshop.
    Take the time to set your workshop up in the smartest way possible and allow for when you inevitably age or heaven forbid, suffer an injury, none of us are immune.
    My partner deserves a special mention as well. She had to rise to the challenge and assist me with many things that we take for granted (ever tried pulling underwear or shorts or trousers up when you have only one useful arm with the other one in a sling and you can't really twist because A, you're too fat and B, it hurts way too much) and you can only sleep on a reclining couch, but cannot get yourself out of it when the inevitable toilet trip is required at 3 in the morning.
    We can easily take much for granted.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    589

    Default

    Hear you loud and clear. At 50 I will not lift heavy things lest my chocolate back melt! I have just bought a walk behind forklift and will invest in order lifting equipment. It's not worth being off work and losing income over pride....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    You make some very good points Karl, bad stuff can happen in spite of how careful we think that we are, and in an instant our circumstances can change. I’m sure that I speak for all here in wishing you all the best from now on, with a hopefully full recovery in as short a time as possible. You will have to be nice and respectful to your spouse now, or else she may tie your undies in knots, or “not” hear your in the wee small hours. Cheers and all the best,
    Rob.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    What a bugger Karl. Glad you’re recovering OK and have good support at home.

    As Rob said - accidents can happen despite how careful we are, but in my experience, with hindsight there was usually something simple I could have done to mitigate the risk.
    As we get older we definitely don’t bounce or recover as quickly, so we need to get smarter about how we work.
    I’ve had back issues since I was a teenager, and 25 years at a desk job hasn’t helped them. Gantries, engine cranes, decent bag/moving trolley and a couple of years ago getting an old forklift - all things that make lifting/moving things easier and safer. Likely the next bit of equipment will be a hydraulic scissor trolley.
    Chatting with slightly older friend recently we both agreed the most risky things with lifting/moving are the ones that are borderline.
    It’s a really obvious statement when said out loud - but how often have we all thought “yeah - I should be right to lift/move that” when we know it’s going to be touch and go. Unfortunately our brains don’t naturally have a SWL with 2x safety factor mode built in - we have to program it ourselves.

    Good thing is you are still only 48.
    I often joke with people that once you get to 50 if you wake up and nothing hurts - you’re probably dead!

    All the best for a continued full recovery.

    Steve

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Ouch - Hope you recover soon.

    One thing I have found useful where lifting is concerned is where possible break down a lifting operation into several shorter "partial lifts"

    This week I had to replace a 1/2HP motor on a squirrel cage fan that was in a very awkward place, sitting on an angle steel bracket attached to a shed roof truss. It only weighed abbey 15kg but it was directly under my table saw which made it tricky and the thought of doing this all in one go up a ladder did not inspire me.

    I split the removal and lifting it back into place into 3 separate steps so a) I didn't have etc lift/carry it as far at each step and b) If I needed to I could use for a breather in between each step. I also used a work platform instead of a ladder. It all went smoothly but my back still felt it that night - I need to lift more weights.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

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    One of the smarter things i did when i moved my mill was to get a mate with a bad back to help, because I knew he would not even consider anything the slightest bit risky.
    On the other hand, another mate has wrecked shoulders because he will take on anything with brute force.

  7. #7
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    Our younger/beefy next door neighbour has been working from home since Covid started and recently started his own business working from home. He's very helpful when it comes to moving heavy stuff and usually available on a half hours notice.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    Good luck with your recovery, Karl.
    I'm about to build a new shed and designing a monorail for it too. My little gantry has been getting a workout emptying my current shed as well. It's coming with me too....
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karl Robbers View Post
    , I'm probably starting to reach the age (48) where my body is starting to give me the warnings that I'm not 21 anymore as well.
    I hope your recovery is swift.
    Unfortunately I'm 70, but my brain still thinks I'm in the 30's, leading me into a lot of problems, and doing STUPID things. Like crawling around under trailers, running cables etc, all's OK till I try to get up from underneath, then I need a breather for about 5 minutes.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

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    Thanks for all the good wishes. I'll recover okay, I'm told that I can expect somewhere around 80% function compared to what i had previously which isn't too bad all things considered. I can still get my arm into semi awkward spots to reach difficult bolts or nuts and I can still chop firewood, although the action isn't as pretty as it once was
    It got me thinking though. In days gone by, when we didn't have the ability to replace joints, I wonder what would have happened? There is no way that the ball could have been repaired, so I wonder if the outcome may have been amputation of the arm or perhaps they may have removed the joint and strapped or trussed the arm in place?
    I'm still surprised though that there was actually no pain that i recall when the break occurred and I was fine while I lay where I landed, (I performed something of a self diagnostic check after I slid down the wall and finally reached the ground. Conscious? Yes. Bleeding? No. Spine okay? Yes.), but there was absolutely no way that I was getting up without a fight. The moment that my shoulder left the ground and the support it provided, the pain was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.
    They say what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.....

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