(Mature) Adult Aches and Pains ...... How is everyone coping?

[Skate@Delaware]

I noticed a skater at our rink who always brings her foam roller with her has started bringing a white stick instead.  I might try that- easier to travel with.  (I take a tennis ball with me to competitions to roll out all the muscles before hand.)

I saw a very high level skater use one after skating...and she told me all about it so I ended up getting one.  Here is the page with all the info-you can get them elsewhere too (Amazon, etc).
https://www.thestick.com/

It's helpful to me for calming down muscles so they don't spasm after skating.  The next thing I use is a foam roller-I saw it at Dicks Sporting Goods and bought it. Mine is medium firmness.  If you are new to foam rolling, don't get the hardest one right away-you need to work up to that 

So it's been almost a week living with this muscle spasm...it's a little better (I can turn my head almost normally) but I can't roll over in bed without excruciating pain-thus, my sleep has been disturbed. And now I'm experiencing shooting pains down my shoulder. Yikes! Falling apart!

[Doubletoe]

So it's been almost a week living with this muscle spasm...it's a little better (I can turn my head almost normally) but I can't roll over in bed without excruciating pain-thus, my sleep has been disturbed. And now I'm experiencing shooting pains down my shoulder. Yikes! Falling apart!

Ugh!  I feel for you!!  Last year I was having lower back problems and decided our mattress must be at least partially at fault, so we bought a new mattress, but only after doing an obsessive amount of research. Since getting the new mattress in July, I have not been waking up with any stiffness anywhere!  PM me if you are interested in mattress suggestions based on your body type, sleep positions, etc. The thickness and softness of your pillow has a huge effect on your sleeping position as well, and that is an easier/cheaper switch to make.
Oh, and I'll second the Advil.  One Advil before skating is more effective than taking 2-3 Advil after you're already feeling the pain or stiffness.  If I remember to take one before skating, I do not have any pain, soreness or stiffness during or after skating.  It is a godsend!

[lilicedreamer]

I'm so glad you asked this!  I broke my wrist a year and a half ago and have been dealing with the outcome ever since.  For the first time today I am going back the rink to get on the ice and see if I can get my ice legs back.  I put it off because my wrist motion was bad and I still have pain.  I have a workable wrist and I don't complain, but it's not the same as my natural wrist.  I wish I could scan my surgery pics!  Metal and wrist bones everywhere!  But I have great news!  I left pt with about 93 percent motion and I honestly think that using it over this last year has put me back at 100 percent!  So, yes, I'm in my 50's and I'm trying to go back to skating again.  I don't know if it will work for me now, like it did, but once an ice skating dreamer, always one!

[VAsk8r]

Wow, did you break your wrist ice skating? That sounds awful! My mom broke her wrist skating three years ago, but it sounds like your break was far worse. Good luck getting your ice legs back!

I may not quality by age to be a "mature" adult on this thread, but I've had lower back pain since high school. Skating, especially jumping, exacerbates it, and recently I've had some upper back pain as well. My physical therapist gave me a lot of stretches that help, but I hate putting the time into them on top of the other stretches I want to do for skating.

[AgnesNitt]

I'm so glad you asked this!  I broke my wrist a year and a half ago and have been dealing with the outcome ever since.

Get some wrist guards if you haven't already...just sayin'....better safe than sorry
http://icedoesntcare.blogspot.com/2011/11/wrist-guards.html

[nicklaszlo]

Where can I get this foam roller?  Is it like this:
Amazon

I got it.  It does indeed hurt as advertised.  It does not feel precisely like stretching ... mostly like compression.  Hopefully it is working.

[SynchKat]

VASkater - I've had backpain too since highschool and it all stems from skating.  When it flares up I will do my stretches but I just never find time to do them regularly.  I find working on core strength does help a lot with the back issues but I just accept I will just have to live with it.

At skating on Sunday my shoulder started hurting.  I think there's a nerve there that is getting pinched and giving me grief  Yesterday out of the blue while wandering around the science centre with my son my knee started KILLING me.  It felt like I had fallen really hard right on my kneecap.  Like I could even poke it and feel where it hurt. Still hurts a bit today, I'm debating whether to skate today.  (obviously i will because I am an idiot and ignore aches and pains)

[VAsk8r]

VASkater - I've had backpain too since highschool and it all stems from skating.  When it flares up I will do my stretches but I just never find time to do them regularly.  I find working on core strength does help a lot with the back issues but I just accept I will just have to live with it.

Yep, my PT talked a lot about improving my core strength. I'm just not great about doing the exercises, even though I know my laziness could cause a flare-up. I've started running these past few weeks, and I don't know if it's a coincidence but my back pain has improved significantly.

[SynchKat]

As my former doctor always said if it seems to help keep doing it. I find running makes my back ache so much. I think it is the impact.

Luckily stroking at the rinks yesterday was easy so my knee was ok. I did notice though that giving my son piggy backs seems to bother my shoulder. How weird is that.

[sarahspins]

I'm not coping.

I finally went to the doctor today because of worsening pain in both knees that has had me off the ice all week... which sucks, so I felt I should do something.

Prize #1, is a bone chip in my repaired knee.  I've had x-rays several times in the past few years (for a variety of reasons)... this is definitely something new



But wait, there's more!

I have had a lot of problems with my other knee too... I was actually beginning to suspect I had a torn meniscus.  Nope, this is prize #2.. a bone chip in my OTHER knee!  It explains a lot.. but OMG.. ugh!



I'm so going to go cry now

[VAsk8r]

Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear about your bone chips. What's the recommended treatment?

[jjane45]

I'm so going to go cry now

(((sarahspins))) Better knowing now than later!

[SynchKat]

Omg Sarahspins so sorry to hear.  Any idea how you got these bone chips?  What is the treatment?  Hope you heal up quickly.

[retired]

I have an X-ray like that, from one fellow screwee to another!

[aussieskater]

(((Sarahspins))) so sorry to hear this.  Get well soon!!

[Adultsk8r509]

I'm not coping.

I finally went to the doctor today because of worsening pain in both knees that has had me off the ice all week... which sucks, so I felt I should do something.

Prize #1, is a bone chip in my repaired knee.  I've had x-rays several times in the past few years (for a variety of reasons)... this is definitely something new



But wait, there's more!

I have had a lot of problems with my other knee too... I was actually beginning to suspect I had a torn meniscus.  Nope, this is prize #2.. a bone chip in my OTHER knee!  It explains a lot.. but OMG.. ugh!



I'm so going to go cry now

Ditto... very sorry.  What a picture of your knee with a screw in it.  Like everyone else, anxious to hear what can be done.  I am scared to death, but I must make an appointment with an ortho guy.... knees not hurting bad, but suspect alot going on in there.  Also really really bad hip thing... sitting is my enemy.   Please keep us informed.  We all feel your disappointment.

[sarahspins]

I have my suspicions for how/when each may have happened, but of course I did nothing at the time because I'm just stubborn like that - and quite honest, joint pain has pretty much been a constant for most of my life so a little more is not exactly a major event most of the time. 

So, basically for now we don't do much. I was sent on my way with stronger meds (mobic and tramadol) and advice to 'take it easy' (yeah, sure...).  Basically the pain I have now is probably just inflammation (and it's also me compensating for my knee hurting that is making my right hip and ankle hurt as well.. NOT my boot), so we'll see.

I can already feel a huge difference today with my new pain meds.. "nothing" is hurting me which is kind of odd.. I haven't felt this good in a long time

[lilicedreamer]

Saraspins, I really should have scanned my wrist surgery xrays!  I went skating last Sunday and skated for the first time in a year and a half.  It felt awful!  I could not do anything and really, I was about to give up, but I stayed for an hour.  I decided against doing learn to skate at this time.  I think I'm going to purchase new skates...I got mad at them when I broke my wrI wist and sold them to Play It Again Sports...childish, I know.  And I think I will Sunday skate a few times each month during the summer and evaluate where I am in the fall.  Learn to Skate isn't a great way to learn.  The going is slow.  If you really want to go for it you need a coach and lessons and I just can't afford that, or another injury. 

I wish I were 11 and could start all over again...lol...it's the one thing I regret not having physical youth. 

[Adultsk8r509]

Finally saw an Orthopedic specialist last Wednesday.  Issue #1 ... lower back or hip pain.
Result:  X-Rays show bone spurs in my SI joint.  Not much to do for that at this point except PT and NSAIDS.
            The PT place thinks they can help with Graston and Active Release techniques

Next Tuesday:  knee evaluations ..... I want to check on their condition.  I skate with such hesitance because of blowing out my R knee 32 years ago ... while skating.
                      L knee is just deteriorating due to age I think... we'll see.