repetative motion injuries associated with detecting

Just wanted to share this, and maybe save others from injuries: After years of detecting and dutifully kicking dirt/sand back into holes, I've developed some hamstring tendon injuries ( behind the knee ). This, I believe is from kicking dirt sideways alot, and in a unnautral directon from what the human leg is designed to do. It puts a heavy sideward load onto joints, tendons and ligaments. If you're going to kick dirt, try to use a forward motion, as in punting a football, or better yet use your shovel to put the dirt back in the hole. My buddy Lance knows a woman who after many years of detecting, got a knee replacement surgery due to damage that she claims was caused by kicking dirt/sand back into holes.
Oh, and that's just one topic aside from elbow injuries caused from detecting, -or shoulder/arm injuries from scooping, deep heavy loads of sand.
Okay well, thanks for anyone's additional input on avoiding injuries from certain repeated motions while doing this hobby!

Guess I'll just hang out in the bar from now on. This dirt fishing just sounds too dangerous.

The reality is that if you don't do anything physical in your life, any activity can stress your under-used joints. It's kind of like why they tell you to consult a Doctor before starting an exercise program. I'm sure that there are people out there whose hearts will give out if they dig more than five holes an hour.

Yea, kicking sideways can hurt the knee, I can feel it when I mistakenly do it.
One nusance that developed in my right foot is called mortons neuroma or also called intertmetatarsel neuroma. It's a nerve problem between the third and fourth toe that comes and goes depending on the use of the foot. Sometimes the two toes go numb and then the 4th toe feels like a burning ache. I am trying to resolve it myself by icing a few times a day and taking Advil. The other choice is to go to the podiatrist and get a cordizone injection and/or surgery...don't like those choices. I can't say that detecting was the sole cause of it but it had it's role. Having sore feet makes the rest of the body want to stop and take a break.

The same repetitive movements as in detecting such as walking slow with the head down, swinging, digging, squatting down and/or kneeling, standing back up and then repeating the process a couple hundred times can stiffen a person up. I think learning to swing with both arms is important and so is doing a few stretches. Detecting a full day tires me out, so I'd have to say it's a hobbie that helps keep us in shape, but the repetative movements can also be a bit detremental to the body. Just my 2 cents.

All part of the hobby as man was not made to swing a detector, throw a bowling ball or swing a golf club..

I guess we all have our own way of getting down and have a large callus on my right knee and one thigh muscle acts up now and then as only do it one way..Some guys alternate which could really help and some can swing with either arm but not comfortable for me..

Strange as it may seem ergonomics plays a bigger part than weight and careful experimentation with length of lower pole and armrest placement really helps lighten the load and makes for more comfortable hunting.

Dial in length of arm, basic strength, swing speed and yes using several different units all comes into play so do experiment and once your basic arm muscles build up should make for a more pleasant day and do remember if you swung a hickory stick for hours you would get tired so keep hydrated, take a break(tough to do) and above all smell the roses...

I'll say this, I have developed a pretty good case of tendonitis in my right elbow from swinging the SE Pro. I didn't have that issue when swinging other detectors, but the ergonomics on this machine stink. The E-Trac, from what I can tell, feels alot better, and the Fisher machines are HEAVEN in comparison. Not sure what to do about the "tennis elbow" ("detector's elbow," in this case!), aside from maybe getting a "swingy thingy."

Steve

Like Steve I had elbow pain.... but it was from using a whites machine. Funny when i switched to the heaver SE im injury free. Come on guys.... take a look at are age group here. Looked like MOST of us are over 60 and have been doing it for years. In any sport or activity you do constantly you WILL be injured as you age. Thats a fact of life. Im 59 and used to run marathons for the Army believe me i know injuries. Recovery is the issue... we just dont recover as quickly and more injuries are no long isolated they move. Set in a chair to long and you have back pain. You may have to learn to RECOVER from your injury. Men especially dont like doctors and once the pain goes away we are ok to jump right back in. Dont work that away. We are willing to give up doing what we like.... but wont take a year to recover properly. Makes no sense to me.

Dew

Yeah, Dew -- but I have no excuse, I'm only 40! Not sure how to solve the elbow issue, as I've never had tendonitis before -- but I sure don't intend to lay off detecting for a year!

Steve

Going back 50 years and shooting a long bow( tennis elbow) had to take a year off.....going to have to train the other arm as tough as it may be sure beats taking a year off...With today light units might be time to change units.
Again all these harnesses do is shift the weight to the larger back muscles so be careful...sore elbow is one thing but
damaged back could easily end up with an exit from the hobby but work well for many so your call....

I think it may be the unusual angle of the handle on the SE Pro, Dan. For me, it seems not to work. I may try the swingy thingy and see if it helps -- as it's the more cost-effective alternative to switching to an E-Trac (with the improved handle angle which seems to be much more ergonomic). Too bad Fisher seems to be overlooking the "new technology, killer coin/jewelry machine" to replace/improve upon the CZ-3D...because if they incorporated the depth of the F75 LTD, the ergonomics of the Gold Bugs/G2/F-series, and the ID ability of the Gold Bugs/G2 -- PLUS some improved (perhaps multifrequency) ability to better separate the trash from the treasure (and, in particular, the gold from the foil/pull tabs), then not only would I have a dream machine, but my tennis elbow would be a thing of the past!

Or, since I'm not brand-specific, an improved, next-generation E-Trac II/Explorer III with Fisher-type ergonomics would ALSO be nice...

Steve

Man..... he gets injured and now he's got a Christmas list LOL. Just yanking your chain.... but i know from personal experience how that elbow feels.

Dew

Believe it or not, drinking more water may help your ailments.

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

Yeah -- bit of a threadjack I started there, eh Dew?!

Steve

Hate to be the bearer of bad news.........but extended rest is a large part of healing from ongoing tendonitis/ligament inflammation. Most tendon/ligament damage is caused by cumulative micro-tears to the tissue caused by the offending motion. Then, one day, so much micro-tear damage has accumulated that the tendons/ligaments require surgical intervention (may/may not cure) or permanent damage, beyond repair. ASK A SPECIALIST M.D. IF YOU DOUBT WHAT I AM SAYING.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2011 04:43AM by TerraDigger.

Terra --

IF the swingy thingy doesn't help, I'll learn to detect left-handed. If that doesn't work...wanna buy an SE Pro!

Seriously, you are right. One way or another, these injuries do need rest to heal...

Steve

I have the Swingy. Use it on my heavy old White's Silver Eagle (6 lbs) Bit constraining......like wearing a dog harness. It takes a bit to adjust them just right........but they do take the weight off big time when adjusted properly. My former patients (Navy Corpsman) didn't always follow medical advice, so if your gonna keep swinging, get the Swingy. Better than doing nothing to alleviate the strain
Once I had mine adjusted I taped the loose ends up (electrical tape) so its nice and tidy, and quick to put on (30 secs). Will send you a pic if ya want.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2011 04:58AM by TerraDigger.

Ice is one of the best things you can do for your pain. I have been though it all and then add chemo for the last seven months. You have to think about how you are using your body and why it hurts. If you didn't tear something I think Advil and ice right after the hunt for weeks if not a month or so can make a difference and even the over the counter pain creams.

Elbow yes I have had that from digging and I got a top of the line brace and my pain went from a 10 down to a 3 and after I hunt I ice and during I use the brace and I am almost healed. Also cutting down your hunt time and taking the time to heal. It takes a lot of time when you are older. If you need any info on a brace let me know I deal with that a lot at my pharmacy.

LowBoy

TAKE A LITTLE TIME KICKBACK AND WATCH SOME OF MY DETECTING VIDEO'S BELOW ON YouTube

[www.youtube.com]

If you don’t dig it, then how are you going to know what you’re missing!
How can you have your pudding if you don’t eat your meat!

Lawrenzo --

If you will PM me on the brace, I'll definitely check that out -- something I may need if it comes to that. Meanwhile, I'll take your advice and ice/ibuprofen after hunts...

Terra --

Yeah, send me pics. I just ordered a new swingy thingy...

Steve

As I read the many posts about the ailments associated with detecting, I realized that I had most all of them over the years. I retired in mid 2007 and the free time allowed me to detector almost every day weather permitting. After three months(60 days of detecting) I started having the foot problems described in this post. It was a burning changing to numbing sensation. I kept changing my shoes and I finally found a pair that lessened the pain. The following year I came down with a bad case of tennis elbow. Several shots of cortisone helped some, but now for the kicker. My doctor sent me to a physical therapist for the elbow and this guy was sharp. He had me lifting very light weights with my arm flat on the table and just using my wrists. I could not lift the two pound weight because of the tremendous pain. I used my left wrist and it was like a feather. The right elbow was the bad one and it was nearly impossible to lift. The therapist put a wrist brace like the one bowlers use on my right wrist and I could lift the weight pain free. He said that ALL repetative elbow problems start at the wrist. I started using a wrist brace every time I detected and my pain all but stopped. Give it a try as it is a very cheap solution to tennis elbow. R.L.

No kidding, RL? I was just in Wal Mart -- as I have read up a bit on "tennis elbow" and began suspecting from all I read that it indeed DOES start at the wrist; anyway, while in Wal Mart I considered buying one of those wrist braces, but didn't....

Maybe based on what you said, I WILL try that. Thanks for that info!

Steve

the only thing that Metal detecting has done to me is my hands, I dig bare hands with a shovel or knife, I love getting my hands dirty, but the fields have some nasty chemicals on them, and my hands dry and crack really bad to the point now, I wear Dr's gloves most of the day to keep them moist, either that, I'm old and drying up

Physical exercise is a great way to be less injury-prone, I will agree. As a former competetive athlete, and marine, I can relate to that.
The reality is that body parts are subject to wear and tear, and certain repetative motions, along with age, hasten and aggravate that process.
I have been physically active for most of my life, but at 49 years of age, I am finding that that the human body is much less forgiving of injury, and tends not to heal as quickly. I know many others who have made the same observation.
My original post was not to complain about my ailments, but to start a discussion that may shed light on what particualr movements, and types of equipment might be contributing to injuries that are typical to detectorists. Thank you all for any input, ideas, devices that may prove helpful.