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Author Topic: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury  (Read 1684 times)

Roller

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Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« on: July 19, 2017, 07:55:06 PM »
Hello folks. Here is a question for you, and obviously, this will vary by the condition of the injury, an individual's prior health, and additional variable recommended by physicians, but...I find myself in an interesting quandry.
 Over the weekend, I basically slipped on the steps and went face-first down, through a banister railing, and into a wall. Fortunately, nothing was broken, but I have had a nasty gash on my non-bowling elbow that had to be stitched, and an inflammation of my wrist on my bowling hand. I saw a physician, and was told to take a few weeks off, then should be okay, as luckily nothing serious. Still, when one of your keys to return to practice is not to do anything if it hurts, how much or little of an intensity do you put into your practice after such an event? I realize this is highly subjective, and therefore not something as easy to relate person to person, but am curious as to how others gear up back to their normal routine after something like a freak accident.

 

charlest

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2017, 09:03:28 PM »
Having had injuries that had to be rested, then nursed and then strengthened before starting to return to bowling, I'd wonder about the inflammation in/on your wrist. UNLESS you have had both X-rays and an MRI, I would worry a whole lot about the potential damage done, before I'd begin any regimen involving exercise of that wrist and bowling.

There are far too many pieces of bone, muscle, tendon, ligaments and God only knows what else in a wrist, including the connections back up to the forearm and down into the hand. 

I'd strongly urge some kind of confirmation of the source of that swelling/inflammation before doing anything else.

Normally, you rest the injury until it feels good doing everyday things; then you strengthen it slowly over time. (The younger you are, the quicker you can usually do this; the older, the more gradual the build-up needs to be.). Then you test it, EMULATING the more physically stressful motions of motions, like bowling. Then, and only then, do you try the ultimate, actual bowling. Hand, wrist and forearm strength AND flexibility are some of the keystones for holding heavy objects, like 15 or 16 lb. bowling balls.

As someone in the midst of the final stages of recovery and return to bowling, I can attest to every word I've written. Being older, I tend to the cautious side of the recovery process. Realizing that waiting another 2 or 3 WEEKS may allow you another 30 - 40 YEARS of bowling may allow you to do exactly that.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2017, 09:05:41 PM by charlest »
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2017, 02:45:54 AM »
Good advice above. 

The potential downside if you should return soon and the wrist (among other things) NEVER finishes healing is that you may end up hurting all season long, and regretting the decision. 

The hand and wrist are remarkably complex and should be treated with some caution.  An extra week or two of being careful now might allow you to bowl pain free during the REAL season.   Once you are pain free, then start gentle stretching to get your range of motion back, and subsequently, you might gradually add some light weights with higher reps to continue the flow of blood to the area to aid in healing and preparing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments for the "stress" of rolling a real bowling ball again.  Best of luck to you. 

leftybowler70

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2017, 04:35:48 AM »
This is good and we'll thought out information to keep in mind for my future as I continue to get older (approaching 50 soon)

Great advise as usual.

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2017, 08:06:52 AM »
This is good and we'll thought out information to keep in mind for my future as I continue to get older (approaching 50 soon)

Great advise as usual.

Lefty,
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spencerwatts

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2017, 08:24:35 AM »
Interesting post.

Currently, I'm dealing with being scheduled for hip surgery in early October. I found out in mid-May that I've had an arthritic left hip and that explains the persistent hip, groin, and upper thigh pain I've dealt with since I resumed bowling three years ago.

I've picked up the ball three times since that diagnosis. But I've limited myself to going 40 to 45 frames. I've also modified my approach from six to five, maybe 4.5 steps just so that it is not as painful to bowl.

I've already been advised that I should be able to resume bowling in two to three months post surgery. I also realize that I cannot expect to come out bowling 10 games (or two hours). But I'm curious to know what it would be like to bowl pain free like in my previous bowling incarnation from 20 years ago.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2017, 01:06:08 PM by spencerwatts »
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charlest

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2017, 10:59:21 AM »
Interesting post.

Currently, I'm dealing with being scheduled for hip surgery in early October. I found out in mid-May that I've had an arthritic left hip and that explains the persistent hip, groin, and upper thigh pain I've dealt with since I resumed bowling three years ago.

I've picked up the ball three times since that diagnosis. But I've limited myself to going 40 to 45 frames. I've also modified my aporoach from six to five, maybe 4.5 steps just so that it is not as painful to bowl.

I've already been advised that I should be able to resume bowling in two to three months post surgery. I also realize that I cannot expect to come out bowling 10 games (or two hours). But I'm curious to know what it would be like to bowl pain free like in my previous bowling incarnation from 20 years ago.

Good luck with the surgery; That's a fairly rapid resumption of bowling.
Are they replacing the hip joint?
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spencerwatts

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2017, 01:16:45 PM »
The procedure is outpatient and while it's considered replacement, the actual term is resurfacing. Metal replaces my lost cartilage in the hip socket and the tip of the femur is smoothed and fitted with metal.

Recently, I met someone who returned to bowling right around three months after his hip replacement. He's ecststic there's no more pain.

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leftybowler70

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2017, 02:39:11 PM »
Good times no to get it done; hopefully you will be stronger when you get back.  :)

charlest

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2017, 04:48:14 PM »
The procedure is outpatient and while it's considered replacement, the actual term is resurfacing. Metal replaces my lost cartilage in the hip socket and the tip of the femur is smoothed and fitted with metal.

Recently, I met someone who returned to bowling right around three months after his hip replacement. He's ecstatic there's no more pain.



Interesting; I didn't know they did that. Thanks. and still, good luck with it.
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Roller

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Re: Returning to bowling practice regimen after an injury
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2017, 08:47:19 PM »
Wow, a bunch of great advice and thoughtful commentary here, thanks! I will say, as someone who has had some brutal sports injuries before, I can absolutely relate to having the procedure and being a bit anxious-though patient-on convalescence. To those of you battling any arthritis or injury related recuperation, I am with you and hope you have a full and speedy recovery. It makes a world of difference, as I myself have had carpal tunnel releases on each hand (being ambidexterous wore them a bit more, maybe?), and it made a world of difference. As far as my current situation, I saw my hand specialist, and I was okay on the xrays and the initial tests, just with some inflammation. They are waiting a bit on the mri, but we shall see. I am feeling better from that freak accident each day, and it is encouraging. I am patient, and optimistic, but is nice sometimes to find empathetic souls. This is a great group, and I am glad I joined this forum. ;)