Looks like down "IS" out

N

nc_cooter

Joined
Sep 26, 2004
Messages
574
It's been 4 weeks since I broke my right shoulder and the news is not good. The broken bones are not healing. The x-ray shows almost zero new bone growth. Normal procedure would be surgery with pins and such, but my heart condition rules this option out.
My bone DOC is one of my customers and he has been straight with me about what to expect as far as knife making and going back to work. As they say down south "tain't good". The hammer days are gone. Maybe way down the road I can attempt some stock removal blades. I am already thinking on a design for a leather "brace" to fix the upper arm and shoulder to my chest. The Doc says "we'll see".
I want to thank all of you who have shared their knowledge and encouragement through out my long learning curve. Knife makers are the best kind of people.
I'll be learkin around the forum and watching you guys, so y'all behave.
 
That is sad news. Im so sorry to hear you have a longer than normal road to recovery. Dont forget that "where there is a will, there is a way"
Hang in there Cooter
 
My condolences Cooter, hope everything works out. Maybe perhaps some belt device that you could lean against to hold one side of the blade and the other being supported by the good arm?
 
Hang in there Mike. Like Bruce said where there is a will ,there is a way. If you feel like getting out. Come over to the shop sometime and just hang out. We may even come up with some collaborations.
 
Cooter I am sorry to hear about this I myself just had a bad shoulder injury no broken bones but tore up a bunch of stuff, hang in there and do as the doc says. A friend of mine loaned me a velcro deal that is similar to what you said you want to make. I would look for one I think he got it from the therapist I will ask him. It worked for me, it allowed me to do some stock removal, it keeps your elbow and your wrist attached to your chest and you can sleep in it as well. The sleep thing is what was getting me putting the arm over the head while sleeping or I should say trying to put the arm over the head. Good Luck and keep us posted I hope you start healing, also they recommended acupuncture it is suppose to increase the blood flow which helps the healing I may go and try this myself this week.
 
Keep you head up there is still more things to investigate.
I'm waiting for a call for my 8th surgery on my leg that I broke a year and a half ago.
Maybe ask your Doc about a bone stimulator. I'm using one now. No pain and not invasive, Just expensive.
Then there is a bone calcium, and bone morphonigenic protein, That can be injected. BIG needle, like 10 gage, but better than getting cut again. Once again Very expensive.
Just some things to check out from a bro who is on the slow mend also.
good luck, & God bless
 
bikermikearchery said:
... BIG needle, like 10 gage, but better than getting cut again. Once again Very expensive.
Click to expand...

oh yeah, I remember one carnie on the tv pierced himself with one for some sort of sewing project or something... Its about 1/8" i think?


hope you get well soon, maybe Santa can put a power hammer under your tree this season. :D
 
You might talk to your doctor about a bone growth stimulator. He can contact Dr Kevin Gill in Dallas, TX for info. Gill is a really good, well known orthopedic surgeon.

When I had my lumbar spine fixed, a couple of new disks and some other things, the e-stim made a world of diggerence. It's used 30 minutes a day. You can only use it once a day, only for 30 minutes, and it rats ypu off if you forget. It's used for people with high risk of healing problems. It worked well and my insurance company paid for it.

Dr Gill tried it on some high risk patients and was amazed. He's been convinced since. Healing risk include heavy smoking, diabetes and some other things. I don't smoke but am diabetic.

Hope everything gets better.

Gene
 
No bone growth ? That's bad ! You could try thr stimulator which puts electric fields through the break stimulating bone growth. You could look into nutritional suppliments . Most doctors know NOTHING about nutrition. One friend who was smashed up in an accident followed my suggestions and with suppliments his bones healed in HALF the time !! The doctors couldn't believe it but they could see the healing on the x-rays.
 
Hang in there Cooter! You've got to remember that while doctors should be paid attention to, they don't know everything. Check second opinions and try to track down some of the stuff mentioned above.

Good luck and keep us posted.

-d
 
That realy sucks Mike i would check out some other options. Hoping you get it worked out and heal up!

Bob
 
damn Mike!! Dont throw in the towel just yet.....just stop worrying about it and see what hapens. IF your like me my mind takes over some aspects of my body when I worry....

Just keep thinking positive and keep us posted:thumbup:
 
I'm with Mete on nutrition.. ;)
definitely take vitamin D3 for bone growth ... others that help are cal/mag, C, zinc and on ...

do some reading on the subject... cause some of these things have a window in which they are helpful... too much can in some cases be bad
-D3 is actually one of the cheaper vitamins to buy... ;)

take care
Greg
 
Good luck. Definitely get a second or third opinion, try the ideas suggested. Take it as a challenge to get better! I was diagnosed with cancer (they hadn't found it but the symptoms told my doctor it HAD to be cancer! )they were giving me 6 months to live when I was 19, I even started a band and called it swan song, our gimmick was taht I might die on stage! then I went to a doctor who was actually competant, who diagnosed my stomach problem and gave me medication that has held it in check for 22 years!
Not all doctors are created equal, your bone doc may be a customer, but there may be someone out there who has an idea that will kick start those bones!
Good luck, and I'm looking forward to pictures on this forum of your next knife!

-Page
 
And don't forget! There's more to the knifemaking industry than just making knives! There's sheaths to be made, supplies to be provided, always room for good photography, engraving, promotion, etc., etc., etc.
Somebody needs to do that stuff.
You certainly don't need a hammer to be involved.
Take care of yourself and don't get down-hearted.
I'm certainly not too goofy, but, sometimes, one door closes.................
 
Sorry to hear that, man. Hope you get better soon. As for knifemaking, how about a little power hammer of some type?:D Or go the stock removal route when you are feeling better. If you is real sneaky, maybe you can get the gummint or insurance company to foot part of the bill as rehab....hee, hee:thumbup::cool:
 
Thanks for all the good wishes. Got some good news about a bone growth stimulator. My Doc, who is one of the best, talked a supplier into donating one for me to use as long I need it. With no insurance, this is a miracle. The supplier rep will deliver it to my house tomorrow, on Saturday,even. How's that for service. I must admit, this has lifted my spirits a bit.
 
Groovy!:thumbup::)
Dude, progress updates, and a pic of the next knife! Take it easy on the joint, maybe grind a few. Your bone doc rules!

-Page
 
Keep your chin up Bud!:thumbup: Prayers comin your way!
Your faith needs to be with God right now instead of spendin your time frettin over what MAY not happen.
God bless,
Matt Doyle
 
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