Detailing Through Injury

UncleDavy

UncleDavy

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I have been out of commission for a while due to some injuries and I have been off of the forum. I missed “talking” to you guys and I missed seeing the pictures, product reviews and opinions. I tore my ACL in my right knee and I sprained ligaments in the toes of my left foot. The injuries affected me mentally as well as physically. After a couple of weeks, I decided to hobble outside and work on the cars again and it has been great therapy.
Have any of you professionals worked through injuries?
 
Do it every day. I was told to stop working 15 years ago by a neurologist, because of multiple blown and bulging discs in my neck and back. I told him, if he and his doctor buddies were going to take up a collection every month to pay my bills, I’d be happy to oblige.
My back gets out of control a couple times a year, but I deal with it. Had a hip replacement 2.5 years ago that sidelined me for about 9 months, but bounced back better than ever. I own my own detailing business, and after 4 years into it, I am finally working on mostly high end vehicles that I set out to do when I started this. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. They’re wrong.��
 
Thanks for responding Gene. I am not a professional but I appreciate the words of encouragement. My ACL is completely torn but I am trying to avoid surgery. Let’s see if physical therapy can strengthen the knee enough for me to get by. At 55, I don’t plan to play professional soccer, basketball or tennis.
 
Dave, injuries do not just take a physical toll, typically when somebody says that they’re in pain they’re not just in pain physically but they’re in pain mentally as well…

As the pain levels rise They can drive one to a sense of hopelessness, but the idea is to break the pain cycle and seek the help you need and get it repaired by confident folks that believe in you.

Sometimes seeking the right doctors takes a little bit of time, but when you find the folks that understand your pain, and don’t say it’s all in your head, that’s when you know you found the right doctor…

Don’t let it get you down David, keep plugging away, seek the right help and be your own advocate, and fight to get the help you need.

I wish you god speed on a quick solution to your ACL, and quick recovery so you can get out into the world and do the things you enjoy.




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Thanks for the responding Paul. I will never be at the level that you are but I did full paint correction on the wife’s Buick today and it was very rewarding. I am slow going these days but I am using the knee more and more to try to strengthen it.
 
Keep up the positive attitude and keep doing what you can without injuring yourself further. It's good to get out and do what you enjoy and that is great for your mental outlook! Best wishes on a speedy recovery/rehab!
 
Sorry to hear Davy but keep pluggin as best you can. You've been missed.
 
I’m just a weekend warrior but i’ll chime in. Last year i torn my achilles playing soccer and had surgery on it. 2yr kid and a pregnant wife weren’t terribly excited as you can imagine neither was I. Even on crutches, i still managed to wash and take care of my wife’s car. It was miserable and extremely hard to do in texas during summer but still doable. It really helped me appreciate full mobility and be mindful of my actions moving forward. Any how, keep your head up and move on with the life. But don’t give up on detailing lol


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First off I'm sorry to hear about the ACL... injuries are never fun.

But I'm gonna respond here different that everyone else...

My husband has had 3 knee surgeries from tears.
PT will NOT fix a tear (although I think you already know this). I encourage you to think about the surgery. Though all surgery sucks, it's not a horrible procedure and it will fix the tear.

Obviously this is my 2 cents... just telling you from experience.

No matter what good luck and well wishes!
 
One of the best bits of advice I ever received was "Focus on what you CAN do" (not on what you CAN'T do). Even in the little things.
Going to the gym to do the pre-hab strengthening exercises (there are exercises you CAN do) is awesome. Exercise is so great for the mental.

And getting out there and detailing is awesome...for sure you CAN DO It. Ive had 2 acl surgeries. As a professional athlete I know the depression that can set in with injuries. Keep up the good work. It aint easy but you are going to get through it. I know some people (even athletes) that have gone on fine without surgery. As DetailKitty said..ACL tears do not repair. If you can strengthen the muscles around it you may be ok. Some people are good to get by without surgery...and some people need it (like me). Also sending my best wishes to you.

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I always practice letting an injury heal slowly so it will heal correctly.

In other words - don't over do it before you're ready to return to normal activities.


I've been in 3 bad motorcycle accidents, one accident I had a head-on with a 1971 Chrysler 300 4-door while on a Yamaha SECA 750. I tore all the ligaments and tendons in my right leg and wore a full leg to to hip cast for months. Real pain in the butt. Also broke my arm and wrist. Had a complete recovery with no problems but I let my body heal before going full speed again.

It's no fun to let "time" do it's thing but it pays off.


:)
 
I've been detailing for years with a replaced hip and knee.
 
Holy Crap, UD!

I can say with all certainty that I know what it's like to work through pain.

My back injury in 2017 kept me out of work for 7 months, and I ultimately had to stop working at a job I had been at for 22 years.

Then, back on the 14th, I was stopped for a school bus on Route 48 (you know that road...) and a girl rear-ended me going 55-60mph.

Still dealing with that. But....... The real answer is only YOU know how far you can push yourself. Just listen to what your body is telling you, man.
 
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I feel better getting out there and working on the cars again. I even started singing again while I work. Kitty, surgery may be inevitable but I will still try to avoid it. Paulie, I had no idea that you were recently in an accident. Let's catch up one of these days.
 
UncleDavy said:
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I feel better getting out there and working on the cars again. I even started singing again while I work. Kitty, surgery may be inevitable but I will still try to avoid it. Paulie, I had no idea that you were recently in an accident. Let's catch up one of these days.
Click to expand...

No doubt, UD. Looking forward to it, old man...... :)
 
Glad you are feeling better Davy especially when you are able to be outside around the cars. I can understand wanting to avoid the surgery. I have had both rotator cuffs torn, repaired and torn again in the last 19 years. I see two orthopedic surgeons and they both agree the only thing left to do is a reverse shoulder replacement.

Well I’ll be 69 next month and the last thing I want to do is have that surgery. I have been getting by for years on cortisone shots and pain meds. One doctor won’t prescribe pain meds and all he wants to discuss is surgery. I told him surgery is not an option unless the pain gets so bad I can’t tolerate it any longer.

On the other hand, my other doctor knows my shoulders are torn up and continues to give me the cortisone shots and pain meds when I need them. Like you, I feel better getting out and doing what I can to detail a car or restore headlights.

Keep your positive attitude and doing the things you enjoy. You will know when it’s time for surgery.
 
Awh geeze that sux UncleDavy!

Man, I struggle to sit still on a day off let alone actually ‘having to’. I feel for you mate.

As far as injuries go, I have gotten this far through life with very little physical injury . . . The mind, well, that left me many many years ago but me & I do just fine without myself nowadays.

I did suffer a fairly serious heart attack in 2016 & the surgeons, doctors, cardiologists etc etc all said I needed to take 4-6 weeks off . . . I spent 3 days in hospital & 5 more resting before getting back to work. I did take it easy for a couple of weeks but bills had to be paid.

I don’t like to think about a proper physical injury though. The thought of not being able scares the poop outta me.

Here’s to a swift recovery for you my friend, like someone else mentioned already - listen to your body, & try to be patient. :xyxthumbs:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:
 
As someone of advancing age (and having had a minor stroke this past winter), all I can say is; listen to your body. Don't push it. Any injury (or illness) just takes time to get thru.

Bill
 
Thanks guys. I still want to avoid surgery for other reasons. I will be 56 next week and do I have to think about knee replacement anyway in 10 or 15 years? Also, I had a heart attack when I was 39 and have coronary stents and have been on blood thinners ever since. I can risk another heart attack or stroke if I stop the Plavix.
 
UncleDavy said:
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I feel better getting out there and working on the cars again. I even started singing again while I work. Kitty, surgery may be inevitable but I will still try to avoid it. Paulie, I had no idea that you were recently in an accident. Let's catch up one of these days.
Click to expand...

Well at least take it easy for a while!
Nothing like good ol’ rest for your body :xyxthumbs:
 
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