[battery]

Actually got on rock a couple of days ago. We're away and husband had put my climbing shoes in his bag. Got on some juggy traverse slabs and it felt like it should be a YYFY moment to be back on the rock after 4 months, that comforting feeling of squeezing my feet into my shoes, chalk, rocks etc. But it wasn't. It was so far off what I would normally be doing and felt so alien I just didn't enjoy it. I tried pulling on something a bit steeper and ended up stopping very quickly, I'm not there yet.

One of the things I love about climbing is the challenge, pushing my ability and my body, doing things that I didn't think were possible. Hopefully the rapid ability gains will continue into climbing and I'll be back to that soon.

Got on a bike at a trail centre today, I admit to being very nervous, genuinely didn't know how it would go. It went really well. We didn't do anything difficult, just enjoyed a family ride around a blue run (but we're in Scotland so it's pretty fierce for a blue!) and so I didn't test my ability to throw the bike around at all but it was not worried at all by any of the speed, bumps, dropoffs or rough ground. Be interesting to see how I get on with something tougher later in the holiday....

[webbo]

 

[Fiend]

But it wasn't. It was so far off what I would normally be doing and felt so alien I just didn't enjoy it.

I had exactly the same coming out of the first lockdown, lovely day, great conditions, nice problems, hated it and hated life. But focusing on baby steps and not trying to climb well or hard or anything, each time got better. My goal for the next trip out wasn't "climb better" or "climb more" or "enjoy it", it was "don't hate it as much as the previous time". Pretty soon it got back to the fun stage....

Good that you got out and did some stuff, take it steady and good luck progressing!

[battery]

Feels like it's been such a long time coming but I am finally back with the consultant tomorrow morning (saga of whether or not the appointment was going ahead is another thread!!)

I can ride a bike. I can carry a rucksack. I can run. I can sort of paddle board, I can stay afloat but certainly can't swim lengths.

Climbing outdoors is just too tricky. Went back to the depot (where I did it) last week and was psyched until I got there then I wanted to turn and run. Climbed the entire white circuit without ever feeling like I was going to fall but there were a couple of times where the movement concerned me - a strange experience; no one talks to you when you're climbing whites; feeling scared to fall/jump off caught me off guard.

The feeling in my shoulder has definitely changed, it feels bruised on the outside, driving hurt again last week, but mobility is improving, especially if the movement doesn't involve any rotation or extension out to the side.

So, how do I approach my appointment? Do I just go in and see what they say or do I go in with a game plan? Are there particular questions I ought to be asking or just let them do what they do.... Any thoughts from the collective mind/expertise/experience appreciated.

[duncan]

Steady progress and returning to the scene of the accident is always going to feel very strange.  I've still not been back to High Tor.

So, how do I approach my appointment? Do I just go in and see what they say or do I go in with a game plan? Are there particular questions I ought to be asking or just let them do what they do.... Any thoughts from the collective mind/expertise/experience appreciated.

I'd have a long think about what you want to know from them. What are you unhappy with, or just not sure about? Perhaps discuss this with friends, other half etc. You might want to know if the progress is as expected, what the timescale is to returning to climbing confidently, what the long-term outlook is like especially with respect to re-dislocation.

Then write down your questions and take your list in with you (I freeze in these situations despite being supposedly well-informed and able to speak the same language).

[battery]

Cheers Duncan, that's really helpful.

[Moo]

Make sure you tell them its making you sad, if you seem happy enough they'll just try and do the bare minimum.

[battery]

Make sure you tell them its making you sad, if you seem happy enough they'll just try and do the bare minimum.

Interesting, thanks Moo

[andy popp]

Then write down your questions and take your list in with you (I freeze in these situations despite being supposedly well-informed and able to speak the same language).

Have a friend/partner with you, if possible, who can listen more objectively than you, and maybe even take notes?

[battery]

Quick update following my appointment on Monday:

- traumatic frozen shoulder which should be moving more than it is by now.
- whilst I have the activity levels they more expect to see in 20 year olds, clinically I am presenting as a typical 43 year old.
- complete sympathy and support for how frustrating and painful it is.
- chances of redislocation are slim in their opinion.
- perimenopause can cause frozen shoulder so I have a bit of a.double whammy going on.
- need to get the shoulder moving, so been referred for an urgent hydrodistention which sounds as if it might be quite painful but apparently can also offer instant relief.

I had spoken to family in advance and my physio and I went in with my notebook and pen which the consultant really appreciated! Had an x-ray and saw the top bod who also got the other top bod in for a second opinion. They were in complete agreement and very helpful.

Fingers crossed I don't have to wait too long for the procedure and it isn't as painful as it sounds.

[battery]

Appointment with physio today who has again said that my shoulder joint is unstable (when he applies pressure the rotation is better) but it is also very stiff.

Appointment for hydrodistention through, it's a week on Monday. Can't get to see the physio again for another 4 weeks (his working pattern ha changed and he doesn't have as many appointments available).

Been referred for hydrotherapy but no-one was able to tell me how long that night take.

So I'm left wondering what the implications of the unstable shoulder are (everyone agrees that redislocation is unlikely) and if the injection will make that worse - it seems counterintuitive that a shoulder can be frozen and unstable at the same time.

[Fiend]

Interesting reports Battery. Sorry to hear it's going on so long but at least you are being referred for treatments. Frozen + unstable makes sense to me, that it could be locked in place by the larger muscles being stiff, or the nervous control for the whole area holding it too tightly, whilst at the same time the stabilising muscles are weak so if it's unfrozen it will need extra care. In fact there's some logic that the stabilising muscles could be weak if they're not getting much usage due to the whole area being frozen by other muscles / systems!

[Fultonius]

I'm not professional, but I can see how you could have a frozen and unstable shoulder. I partially dislocated my shoulder many years ago, rehabbed it and thought nothing of it. A few years later, I did "something funny" to my neck while trying to do a one-armer and it must have compressed a rotator cuff nerve or something, as for the next few weeks I had a real specific weakness in certain positions - this annoyingly coincided with a planned climbing trip near Stavanger when visiting a mate.

It partially dislocated about 6 times that week, because my rotator cuff couldn't stabilise the joint - but as far as I'm aware I don't have any structural issues with it, and have barely had a problem since.

[battery]

Ah, ok, that makes sense. Also makes sense as to why I have a lot of strength based exercises as well as the stretching. The stretches are basic but the rotator cuff and muscles are getting a hammering.

Feeling like I could do with a good massage on the whole of my upper back at the moment, it is all very uncomfortable and achy but part of me thinks don't mess with it!!

[mrjonathanr]

Sticking a tennis ball between you and a wall and having a good (standing) roll around might ease some of the tension in your traps and lats

[battery]

Some good progress in the last couple of weeks, feels like it's turned a slight corner.

Consultant told me that frozen shoulder can be a symptom of perimenopause and my change in HRT seems to coincide with progression in my shoulder which I think can not be a coincidence.

Hydrodistention on Monday - part of me thinks.is it worth it but I am pretty sure that's just the nerves talking - I am genuinely terrified partly cos it sounds fucking painful and partly because I'm afraid it won't work.

The one bit of good news is that for the first time in ALL of my treatment, husband gets to come with me on this one, I am genuinely really pleased not to have to do it alone and also have this weird sensation of being excited to show him round... I guess that hospital has become such a regular (weekly if not more) part of my life that it's nice to share it with my nearest and dearest.

[battery]

Where to start... I can hang on both arms again, I can reach almost vertically above my head again, I can get my arm up behind my back again... Turns out hydrodistention was a bit of a miracle for me. The results were instant and I've spent the last week in slight disbelief, almost waiting for it to seize up again.

It's 6 months today since I did it and for the first time climbing feels like it might actually be doable, maybe even enjoyable.... We will see...

Absolutely loving being able to move again and there's parts of my shoulder and arm that haven't moved for 6 months that it feels great to utilise.

Saw my physio today and not that there was any doubt but his absolute delight at how well the procedure had gone demonstrated just how invested in my rehab he is.

Still got some mobility and stretching stuff to do but it's much more complex movements and it's all about smashing the strength exercises now, I enjoy that much more than stretching at least but it's funny how something so simple as putting both arms above my head repeatedly absolutely kills!!

All in all it feels like a big YYFY - hopefully the first of many.

[Moo]

Good stuff keep going !!!

[Fultonius]

Really pleased to hear it, that's amazing progress!  You'll be back in no time.

[Hoseyb]

Well Done!

I've no doubt that the results you are seeing are due to the effort put in. Not only in rehab, but keeping the faith and seeking the positive.

[cheque]

Great news.

[Fiend]

  great to hear Battery, after all the struggles and effort put in, you deserve some progress like that. Hope it keeps going and keeps steady.

[Wellsy]

Great news

[SA Chris]

hydrodistention

Finally got round to googling what this is (shuddered).

Glad it's worked and you are progressing though!

[battery]

hydrodistention

Finally got round to googling what this is (shuddered).

Glad it's worked and you are progressing though!

Was actually pretty pain free, just an odd sensation - steroid injection was much worse!