Competing tomorrow (Saturday) for first time in 21 years...

[Bubba PV]

I just got in on this thread. Having personally detached the upper head on both arms while vaulting, I can give you some advice. I'm not familiar with one torn from the bottom and don't know where yours is torn, but if it's the top attachment leave it alone and do not surgically repair.

My ortho has worked on MANY top vaulters and apparently the top attachment serves no purpose and can be left alone. I tore my left one and just kept jumping and was jumping two weeks after my right one. My doc was telling me the story of John Elway selecting football over baseball because of recurring biceps tendonitis and other problems. In his first training camp he got hit and it popped the upper attachment off. According to his MD he said it' was the best thing to ever happen because it gave him a huge range of motion and no pain.

With that said, another friend popped his upper attachment and had it repaired. Still can't vault. AGAIN, I can't offer any advice on the lower one but if it's the upper, leave it alone. I’ve torn them both, did nothing and have perfect use of both arms. Take care. Bubba

[vaultwest]

OldTexVaulter

Really sorry to hear that you had that injury.

I under went surgery on my ankle two years ago and although it was tough to make it back, now that I have made it back it is even better being out at the track vaulting I know it was worth it.

Hope your recovery goes well so that you will be back in the vault wars with the rest of us patched up old farts. Take care and don't rush your recovery too much.

[OldTexVaulter]

Bubba & vaultwest...

Thank you both very much for the kind words and the positive words of encouragement!! I will be at the RiverVault this weekend in San Marcos, Bubba. So, if you see "the guy in the sling".... Come say, "Howdy"!!

The distal (lower) biceps tendon is FAR different from the proximal (upper) biceps tendon. Not only do I work in the sports medicine field, but I also did a sh*tload of research on the injury and corrective procedures available before deciding to be scoped tomorrow.

I have one of the top orthopods in Dallas working on me, and a personal friend of 18 years doing the anesthesia. So, I'm in good hands. My surgeon confirmed my research that I'd lose 25-40% of the strength in my right arm and most of my ability to supinate my arm with out surgery. Therefore, if I ever want to do ANYTHING athletic the rest of my life, I must have it fixed.

I understand how the proximal bicep tendon factors in, and would probably not have it repaired if that were the injury... In fact, 96% of bicep tendon tears are to the proximal tendon, and only 3% are to the distal biceps tendon. (what I have...) So, it's truly just a freak accident and I should come back at greater than 100% in 4-6 months and will definitely be back out there!!

God Bless the pole vault community... I truly appreciate everyone's care and concern.

[Bubba PV]

As it stands now, I'll see you in San Marcos. In fact, Kris Allison, your San Marcos host, is stayiong with me as we're doing a two day clinic at the Woodlands HS.

Please shoot me an email address as I've been in the sportsmedicine/PT field as a business guy for nearly 20 years. Thanks!

Bubba

[OldTexVaulter]

bubba -- email sent. j

see you in San Marcos!

[OldTexVaulter]

If anybody is interested... I am now 51 days out from my biceps tendon repair surgery that occurred while warming up for the vault competition where I was injured.

Surgery was very successful and healing very nicely. I made it back to the gym today for the first of my re-hab workouts, and man am I weak now!!! Was benching 225 for 3 sets of 5 reps at bodyweight of 170 and today was struggling with 8-10 reps of 155 at bodyweight of 175.

Even worse... I'm only allowed to curl up to 8 lbs with my right arm until the 84th day of recovery!! Hopefully, my chest and shoulder strength will come back fairly quickly over the next 5 weeks until I'm cleared to workout full strength with my right bicep.

I figure that I should be able to start jumping again sometime around the first or middle part of November if all goes well. Take care and jump HIGH y'all!!!

[Bubba PV]

Well nothing personal, and I'm glad the surgery went well, but I'm glad to see your bench press dropping to only twice as much as mine. Just kidding.

Stay patient and you'll be fine. Give me a yell when you're down in Houston. Mainly, just glad you're OK.

Bubba

[souleman]

Looks like all three of us are on the same "get well" schedule. Bubba's cracked ribs, your tendon, my hernia. Sheeeeeeesh........We're nuts! But ain't it fun! Later..........Mike

[master]

I might as well throw my aches and pains into the pot. I started working out again, particularly on my sprints and take off. I was doing some sand pit, stiff pole work last weekend and tweaked my calf again. This has been a pretty frustrating season. There are some things that I want to work on but my body has not been up to the task. However, if you guys can keep at it, I should be able to also. As they say, misery loves company.
- master

[souleman]

Sorry John, I forgot about your calf. Ya know? The thing that's so frustrating about doing this at our age is the time it takes to recover from injury. I know the hernia is coming along just fine but that Hammy is still there and I know if I start pushing, all it will do is make it worse. Worst part about our age thing is we all have not gotten any more patient with the years. Well. looks like the trio has added another member and now we are a quartet! Later..........Mike

[HossInReno]

Ok Guys you have got my juices flowing. Here are the facts.. I have not vaulted since 1975...Yes that's 30 years and 60 pounds ago. Hmmmm. Let me guess. I have got to lose 60 pounds and get in some kind of shape. My PR back then was 17'6 3/4 "....That ain't going to happen again soon...If ever....LOL I would be glad to get any kind of training schedule that an old fart could follow. I don't expect to vault until next year. Any of you guys every been this out of shape at my age? (52)
HossInreno

[souleman]

Hoss, Bubba sent me the e-mail and you should have gotten a response from me by now. There are a lot of great "comin' back" threads on this masters category in PV power. Look them over as they can help you. A BUNCH! Later...........Mike