Community Chat

[gabstoomuch]

John, I think you went onto the ice with a mind-body disconnect. Our minds always seem to believe we are 30 still.

Your balance problem took you by surprise, and that most likely made you even more off-balance.

I can't say get off the ice or not, but if you do decide to pursue getting back to skating, I think you should meet with a kinesiologist and get evaluated. That is their job > body mechanics.

As we age, our body mechanics change. Your mind just didn't warn you of that. I think if you were evaluated and had some balance sessions, you could get back on that ice!

As with everything in life, with aging and health problems, adjustments need to be made in "how" we do certain things. Your body moves differently now as compared to the last time you skated, but your brain was yelling "yippy, we are skating again"....

Getting your mind-body connection in sync, and having a registered kinesiologist look at you for how to get you moving on skates in the way your body moves now (not in the way young John skated), and I honestly believe you CAN regain your ability.

You sound very bummed out, and I am so sorry you injured yourself, but once you heal, go at this desire to skate again from another angle. You now know it is not going to be "just slide out onto the ice and tada!". You make the body mechanic changes you need, you strengthen the muscles that need to be strengthened, slap your mind a little bit and tell it to quit telling you that you are 30, and by golly John, I believe in you!

I would not be hanging up your dream (or your skates) just yet

I feel you for the pain a rib fracture brings. I cracked a rib 3 weeks ago by....you ready?....leaning over the back of my couch, determined to reach the remote that fell down behind it! I did not want to pull the whole couch out, so I pulled it out 4 or 5 inches, then reached and stretched myself over the back and BAM, I felt this body explosion and saw stars.

Ribs heal pretty quickly. I am 3 weeks out now, and it is feeling much better. I did wrap my whole rib cage up with ace bandages, snuggly, and that helped a lot. Outside pressure helped when I had to cough.

Hang in there John. This is your decision, but you have conquered bigger problems in the past  years. I believe if you want to skate, you will find a way to go for it more slowly this time

[AuntMame]

Oh, John! I'm so sorry about the ribs! Please take it easy.

My mom, who was quite the skater in her day, fractured a couple ribs while ice-skating when she was about 50. That was enough for her and she gave it up after that.

I would suggest the same but on the other hand what is life about if you can't enjoy the things you love? And it sounds like skating is something you really enjoy.

Have you considered going to a physical rehab center for your balance to be evaluated? They hook you up to all sorts of sensors and put you inside what's like a virtual reality computer game and have you bounce around playing Luke Skywalker with the light sabers. It's a lot of fun. Through this they can tell you what muscles in your feet, ankles and legs you're using to balance, and which ones you're not, and which ones you need to strengthen. Then they give daily exercises to accomplish this. I went through this process and thanks to several thousands of dollars of physical rehab I was able to walk in heels again.

Think about it. But think about this too: Garrison Keillor's 80-something brother died from a bad ice-skating fall in which he hit his head hard on the ice.

Whatever you decide, please be careful! When one is older balance is never what it used to be and even a bad fall while walking can do great damage. Please take care of yourself!

[goldensrbest]

What did you decide,john ?

[dex]

I am also wondering what you decided hockeynut.....and a little worried that you haven't gotten back to us.I do hope that you are okay and those ribs aren't giving you too much pain.

[Burnsite]

John, I didn't read all the responses so perhaps someone else has already said this....   My advice is to work on your balance before you resume skating, if you decide to skate.  A personal trainer would be best but there are probably internet resources for appropriate exercises.

I have been doing personal training for several years but my newest trainer in the last months has a lot of ideas specifically about improving balance and my balance really has improved.  

I can put my socks on again, standing on one leg and raising each foot to slip them on.  Three months ago I would sit down to get my socks on, or at best do it standing but only while leaning against a wall for balance.

[happycat]

Sorry about your rib. That sounds painful.

My momma had a bout of falling a few years ago. Her dr. had her go a local physical therapist for balance lessons/classes. This lasted maybe a month, not sure, but she hasn't fallen since. You might consider seeing if anywhere in your area offers balance classes.

Its obvious you love skating, and I hate for you to have to give it up.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

Maybe you could get or rig up some sort of contraption that you could hang onto while you skate - something like a rolling walker.

[LilacTree]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

So @hckynut, we're all in suspense. What did you decide? I hope you are healing and feeling better..

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@Trinity11

I don't like that he's not answering, Trin. 

[Plaid Pants2]

I figure John is just resting up.

[LUVNLIFE]

I suppose you will reach your limit and find a new activity that is more suitable for you.