adjusting to physical changes and limitations

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sorcerertd

sorcerertd

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Joined
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North Carolina, USA
I keep saying that aging is not for wimps. That proves to be more and more true and I'm only 58. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one that needs to or had to make adjustments. I think this would be a useful discussion for many turners that may get discouraged from turning by physical challenges. Anyone care to share what you have overcome and how you did so? Do you have tips and tricks that keep you in the game?

While I'm pretty blessed with overall good health, I've been plagued by trigger thumb for months now. My grip is still strong, but when that thumb snaps... ouch. My doc ordered x-rays as he suspects arthritis also, and just wanted an overall look at what's going on in there. I'm going to consult with the ortho this coming week, which I suspect would not be happening if everything looked great. Maybe I'm being overly cautious with my grip and stance because of this (too stiff), but I find that I lack the fine tuning sort of cutting, the shaving and leveling.

My spine has been a wreck for years. I'd blame the Marines, but I was crazy even before joining. Chiropractic care has helped a lot, I mean a LOT. Still, I often have to take breaks and stretch due to numbness in my hands. It's always at it's worst when I get up in the mornings, but not a big problem after I've moved and stretched a bit. You know you are getting older when the morning stiffness is in the back instead of the front. Looking down at the workpiece doesn't help with the stress on the neck. As for the lumbar stress and stiffness, I keep a milk crate near the lathe so I can put a foot up on it now and then to alleviate that. As a bonus, the crate also makes a great chisel rack.
 
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sorcerertd said:
Looking down at the workpiece doesn't help with the stress on the neck.
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I can't help much but looking down for extended time while pinching my thumb/index finger, in my case 6 hours a day 6 days a week, caused herniated C8 which I could only describe as so painful that I could not carry on a coherent conversation. Riding in a car was a huge pain trigger. I lucked out and traction 3x/week + PT for a few months saved me from the surgical option. I am supposed to be using the traction 2x/week forever but I have been very lax with following that instruction. Also, PT changed my routine to no more than 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off with the looking down at the lathe at time. The cervical traction also relieved my trigger thumb significantly. I lost 95% of my grip strength and regained most of it.

I sure hope that you can get resolution or acceptable process modification for the current challenges.
 
I second the motion. Knee replacement Dec. 4th which is good as people younger than me, 77 yo, have had them. Probably get the left knee done early next year. Been dealing with the knee by shots every three months. A bad movement caused my knee to fill with fluid; excruciating pain. Doctor draw a lot off and was OK. This was the deciding factor. Lunch with friends today: it was three weeks before she could get out and it was to church with a walker. Just wait and see as different people have different experiences.
Todd, hope you can get relief without surgery but sometimes that is the only alternative.
Rick, my wife has been battling a sciatic problem for years but can deal with it. It flares up with sitting in a certain position or in a funky position.
 
Well having just hit 60 I recommend floor matting to stand on ( old carpet also works a treat ) . I cushions your feet and dropped tools ( is that just me then ? ) don't lose their edge on the floor.

I also have my lathe set so it's centre line is just over elbow height saving bending . Oh and a bar stool nearby is quite comfy

Getting old ain't bad when you look at the alternatives……
 
I have been sitting on a stool to turn for the last several years due to a hip diffency that I was born with. I am 63, 64 in February and love turning. It probably is not the safest, but it is my way of adjusting to my abilities. I turn pretty much what I want that my lathe can handle.
 
I had a thumb that dislocated all the time from an injury while I was in the Navy. Back in the 80's I had surgery on it that rebuilt the entire thumb. Never had a problem since. I've had both knees replaced and get along pretty well (again, both Navy related). The weather can cause some problems but nothing I can't deal with. I've got a ruptured disc in my back that I take Meloxicam and Gabapentin for on a daily basis. Seems to help but I have to be careful with lifting. You mentioned the Marines. Have you done anything with the VA? I'm 100% service connected disabled and get everything I need through the VA. My knees, my back, stomach and other things all covered.

Like Ian mentioned above, I use floor mats at each bench and I have bar stools at each bench. I buy and wear padded boots and shoes which helps. My shoes are all slip on so bending isn't bad. My Cowboy boots I've had zippers added in the inside seam so I can get them off and on without too much trouble. And if they become an issue my wife helps me take them off.

I've adjusted to these issues but my life hasn't really changed that much. I still ride a bike, go on walks and hikes with my wife and travel when we want to. I only run if a Bear is chasing me (Doctors order...that I can run). I still hunt with my son in law and got my Buck last Sunday (60lbs in the freezer). Life is good but not without some issues. But like I said, I've adjusted to them and am still enjoying a pretty nice life.
 
I try not to complain as it is good to still be on the green side of the grass. I've been treated for Diabetes and Insulin Resistance for nearly 25 years now and only in the last two or three since I have had a new Medtronic Insulin Pump that takes readings from a CGM (Constant Glucose Monitor) sensor and makes minor adjustments every 5 minutes or so have I have had my hyperglycemia consistent and under control with an HbA1C of less than 7% - woo hoo!

Unfortunately, before then some of the complications set in - like neuropathy in my feet with numbness and pain along with some slight degradation in my eyesight. Anti-Fatigue Mats in front of my assembly table and lathe really do help a lot.

Dave
 
Tell me about it. Six weeks post op.
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egnald said:
like neuropathy in my feet
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Sadly even after amputation to both legs my neuropathy persists to this day. Could with stump pain it can be very debilitating. There are days where I'm so knocked out from my meds that I'm effectively a zombie. At least that address the immediate tingly and reflexive kicking syndrome that come along with it.

As to seated while turning, I have no choice in this matter, I guess I could turn from my knees, but that's not practical. I'll be sharing how to adapt to this as time goes on.
 
I had trigger finger surgery about 18 months ago because I did not like the finger locking on a switch on hand tools at a critical time. Dangerous

Almost a year ago, I went in for a heart cath. Cardio doctor did numerous tests and all came out good but the different tests correspond to each other, so the doctor ordered the heart cath. He could not complete the heart cath due to widow maker 100% blocked. "Why did I not have a heart attack" I asked when I awoke and was told of the situation.? He said my collateral blood vessels were doing a good job of feeding my heart but it was only time before that failed. Double Bypass surgery 2 days after the heart cath attempt.

I was in good physical condition at the time and one of the floor supervisors watched me do my first walk three days after the bypass surgery. He came to my room and said: "I watched you do your walk today with the PT (physical trainer) nurse. You did better on your first walk than most people do when we release them to go home." That made me feel good. ReHab PT was OK but I couldn't get past a certain level of walking speed due to my left knee being bone on bone.

I will be having a full left knee replacement in January (2025). I snapped 3 ligaments in it back in 1983. Surgery attached them and I was climbing mountains 7 months later. The tight reattachment caused the left knee to wear down to the bone about 10 years ago, but shots every 4 to 6 months have been keeping me going. Now it is time for full replacement.

I do have arthritis and ibuprofen really helps but cardio doctor and GP both warned me about taking Ibuprofen. Tylenol does help some but not great. I was diagnosed with moderate degenerative disk disease about 10 years ago and this is where ibuprofen helped. Pain comes and goes in the back. I have learned to take about a 15 minute break and then I can move along with whatever work/job I was doing.

Neuropathy has been slowly coming into the bottom of my feet. It doesn't bother me to walk or stand but they sure burn at night when going to sleep.

Getting old is not for sissies.
 
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77 here. Can't see... can't pee... can't chew..... can't screw. Hearing stinks. Memory shrinks. I do the best I can. Cannot work for hours...I'm drained after 1/2 - 1 hour. The Trend face shield feels like 100lbs after 15minutes. Anymore I take what I can get.... and settle for that.
 
For what it's worth, this is an MRI of my neck from 2017, I'm sure it has not improved since then. The main reason I have not gone with a Trend "helmet" is because I am concerned about the weight of the battery on my head, putting extra strain on the neck.

I did buy one of these traction devices. I should really use it more.

I do have double mats in front of the lathe, those cushy kitchen ones, but I rarely stand still at any other benches or tools for long. I had the foam floor tiles at one point, but having water get into the basement now and then caused some mold to grow, even with picking them up to dry underneath. It wasn't the nasty black mold, but I am very sensitive to any mold (except blue cheese!).

mri.png
 
Woodchipper said:
I second the motion. Knee replacement Dec. 4th which is good as people younger than me, 77 yo, have had them. Probably get the left knee done early next year. Been dealing with the knee by shots every three months. A bad movement caused my knee to fill with fluid; excruciating pain. Doctor draw a lot off and was OK. This was the deciding factor. Lunch with friends today: it was three weeks before she could get out and it was to church with a walker. Just wait and see as different people have different experiences.
Todd, hope you can get relief without surgery but sometimes that is the only alternative.
Rick, my wife has been battling a sciatic problem for years but can deal with it. It flares up with sitting in a certain position or in a funky position.
Click to expand...
Hsd both knees replaced few years ago
Other than the pt at first, no problems since. Wish I had done it. 40 years ago!
 
My PT traction orders were 3xweek. My PT of 20yrs told me that I needed the traction forever but I could 'taper off'. I did taper to once every 2 weeks. Next visit for a different issue, he asked how my traction was working out. I told him that I had tapered to 1x every couple weeks. Him "sh1te, oh dear, taper off was meant to be down to 2x per week forever".
 
I have 1 disc completely crushed and 1 herniated. Had surgery for the crushed one in 2012 before it completely collapsed and it helped a lot until about 2 years ago. I cannot stand for more than 15 minutes or so without intense pain. I have chronic pain in my hip from this. I briefly tried sitting on a wheeled swivel stool and turning and it went well. Other projects for my wife and my son have been consuming my time that I feel like working in the shop for a couple months, but those are nearly finished. Not complaining, I love working with my son and my wife.
I had both knees replaced on same day in 2015, and that was one of the best decisions of my life.
As my great grandmother, who made it to 107 always said, "every day above the dirt is a good one."

Mike
 
Blimey!!!
Is there anyone left out there who is fit and well.??????

I had a heart valve replacement 5 years ago today, followed by a pericardectomy (removal of the lining outside the heart) in 2021.
I then had to be readmitted in 2022 and had 4 and a half stone in fluid removed in just over a week.

Now on daily diuretics to keep the fluid build up at bay.

Doing ok now, but fatigued, especially after a few hours on the lathe, but count myself lucky.

Mike
 
Recently turned 69.
Health is pretty good.
My biggest problem related to small turning and accuracy is my vision.
I used to wear progressive lenses and could peek under them to see things close up.
My naked eye near-sightedness used to magnify things close to me.
It was a benefit for reading fine print and seeing the edge of the barrel in relation to the TBCs.
I've since had cataract surgery and no longer need glasses but I lost the magnification I had.

What's a good magnifier other than readers?
I have some 1.25s and 1.50s and they're fine for reading but don't help with turning.
 
GaryMGg said:
Recently turned 69.
Health is pretty good.
My biggest problem related to small turning and accuracy is my vision.
I used to wear progressive lenses and could peek under them to see things close up.
My naked eye near-sightedness used to magnify things close to me.
It was a benefit for reading fine print and seeing the edge of the barrel in relation to the TBCs.
I've since had cataract surgery and no longer need glasses but I lost the magnification I had.

What's a good magnifier other than readers?
I have some 1.25s and 1.50s and they're fine for reading but don't help with turning.
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Gary, BTDT with magnifier/reader. The higher the number, the closer to the work you must get. CraftOptics.com has options similar to those used by dentists etal. Spendy but didnt have the magnification that we needed.
 
When I first started turning, I was having trouble with goggles or safety glasses over my prescription glasses. The solution was prescription safety glasses. Every time I get a new prescription, I go to Lens Crafter and get new safety glasses. That way I don't have to worry about forgetting to put them on. Normally runs about $200/pair.

I have a Jet 1642 and I'm 6'3. I read about having the lathe at elbow height and mine was low so I was bending over all the time. I got a 2x6 and cut 4 pieces about 4" longer than the ends of the frame. Two of the 2x6's stacked and bolted to the legs of the lathe made it just right.

In late 2018 and early 2019, I had both knees totally replaced. Bone spurs, arthritis, and bone on bone. Replacement was an instant relief from the pain. Each time I waited a week after surgery to limp out to my shop to turn something. Could not stand for extended periods of time so I got a shop stool and raised it to the proper height and went to work. Turning a pen I could do 90% of the tool work and all the sanding and finishing on the stool. The 10% final turning I stood for.

I still sit when turning pens and other small things. For bowls I alternate between standing and sitting. I also have good floor mats under the stool to cushion when I stand.

HINTS: If you're going to sit and turn, practice with small things first so you get the feel for the different ways you hold and present your tools. Get a good, comfortable face shield because your face is going to be closer to where the small chips and dust are thrown. Also, your shirt pocket is where all the loose chips will fall so you can take them in the house and dump them on the bedroom floor when you take off your shirt. Your wife will love this, trust me.

Steve
 
MTViper said:
Also, your shirt pocket is where all the loose chips will fall so you can take them in the house and dump them on the bedroom floor when you take off your shirt. Your wife will love this, trust me.

Steve
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I carry my insulin pump in my shirt pocket and you are right, it is usually covered with chips and sawdust. Of course I do have a nice, light, denim shop apron, but it lives on a hook in my workshop. I suppose I could take it off the hook and wear it once in a while, but then again, that would make too much sense. - Dave
 
MTViper said:
In late 2018 and early 2019, I had both knees totally replaced. Bone spurs, arthritis, and bone on bone. Replacement was an instant relief from the pain. Each time I waited a week after surgery to limp out to my shop to turn something. Could not stand for extended periods of time so I got a shop stool and raised it to the proper height and went to work. Turning a pen I could do 90% of the tool work and all the sanding and finishing on the stool. The 10% final turning I stood for.

I still sit when turning pens and other small things. For bowls I alternate between standing and sitting. I also have good floor mats under the stool to cushion when I stand.

HINTS: If you're going to sit and turn, practice with small things first so you get the feel for the different ways you hold and present your tools. Get a good, comfortable face shield because your face is going to be closer to where the small chips and dust are thrown. Also, your shirt pocket is where all the loose chips will fall so you can take them in the house and dump them on the bedroom floor when you take off your shirt. Your wife will love this, trust me.

Steve
Click to expand...
I'm coming up on full knee replacement in January. Doc said I would be out of work except desk work for 2 to 3 months. I hate that! So I read your comments with interest. I will get my pen lathe ready for sit down work. Doc said my rest requirement would be a tad bit longer than normal since I had 3 ligaments snap and full re-attachment back 45 years ago before laparoscopic surgery. That doesn't stop the knee replacement but does make it a bit more complicated as it changes the normal operation procedure.
 
leehljp said:
I'm coming up on full knee replacement in January. Doc said I would be out of work except desk work for 2 to 3 months. I hate that! So I read your comments with interest. I will get my pen lathe ready for sit down work. Doc said my rest requirement would be a tad bit longer than normal since I had 3 ligaments snap and full re-attachment back 45 years ago before laparoscopic surgery. That doesn't stop the knee replacement but does make it a bit more complicated as it changes the normal operation procedure.
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BUY A TURNERS SMOCK or even better , for Christmas / birthday / just for the hell of it to save ear ache , get someone else to buy you a turners smock with a big pair of rear pockets ( avoids shavings ) , velcro cuffs and collar or short sleeved ( depending on climate where you turn ) .

Saves so much hassle and mess on your clothes .Makes SWMBO so much easier to deal with too DAMHIKT
 
howsitwork said:
BUY A TURNERS SMOCK or even better , for Christmas / birthday / just for the hell of it to save ear ache , get someone else to buy you a turners smock with a big pair of rear pockets ( avoids shavings ) , velcro cuffs and collar or short sleeved ( depending on climate where you turn ) .

Saves so much hassle and mess on your clothes .Makes SWMBO so much easier to deal with too DAMHIKT
Click to expand...
I have two! They work . . . if I will wear them. I usually say "I'm going to try something for a couple of minutes, and then turn for 30 minutes without the smock! LOML lets me hear about it! 🙄 😁 IF I PLAN to turn, I will put it on! THAT is another problem with aging for me. I don't do what I plan, and don't plan what I do! That makes life at this age/stage - FUN! 🤣
 
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