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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
How as your photography been effected by medical procedures
Will Powers, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 10:04 PM on 08.06.10 |
->> I know of people that have had retinal detachments and cataracts and have been able to continue their careers. Other than something like lasik (unless it went awry), has anyone had an unusual procedure that went well?
It doesn't need to be the eyes, but that is important. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 11:18 PM on 08.06.10 |
->> I know of a couple of photographers who have had arm/shoulder issues related to carrying heavy gear and have had to adapt to that.
--Mark |
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Michael McNamara, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:36 PM on 08.06.10 |
| ->> Considering the current job market and the size of budgets, a vasectomy might help prolong a career in photography. Or at least make it a lot easier. |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 11:53 PM on 08.06.10 |
| ->> Not an unusual procedure or anything, but I'm a type 1 diabetic (Had it since my early teens), and it can get in the way. Nothing worse than shooting an event, and suddenly getting low blood sugar.. you lose concentration, get really shaky, very irritable.. Usually I keep a little something in my bag in case, but I forget from time to time, so I've had to miss some parts of some shoots just to run to a concession to grab a juice or something :) |
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Ron Manfredi, Photographer
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Merrick (Long Island) | NY | | Posted: 11:56 PM on 08.06.10 |
->> Will,
I have had surgery for a detached retina, and the cataract that formed afterward. The lens that was implanted was set for distance, and I have no problems using my 1D series bodies with that eye now. I do wear glasses to correct vision in the other eye, and to allow close focusing with the eye that has the implanted lens. I know another shooter that has had similar surgeries, and he is also doing fine. Retina surgery recovery time for me was about 4-6 weeks of little/no lifting which might put pressure on the eye, but after that things were pretty much normal.
Of course there are the back and shoulder problems, as Mark mentioned, but you seem to be more interested in eye problems, so I thought that this might be reassuring. |
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Will Powers, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 12:53 AM on 08.07.10 |
| ->> There are so many things that can affect the eyes. Fortunately the odds are on our side. Glad that those on this blog don't have long term effects. |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 1:34 AM on 08.07.10 |
| ->> Broke my neck and back in 1996 and had several spinal surgeries up till 2002. Was told I would never walk again and by 2004 I was on my feet shooting again then did an embed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2007. Take that Doc! |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 1:41 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> I just recovered from badly twisted muscles in my back after shooting back-to-back heavy sports events. Carried a 500 and 300 and my TT mod system with two cameras up and down hills for 4 days on Vicadon and Red Bull...
After a week on the floor, I realize (even at 26) that I am not indestructible. Gotta take care of yourself and slow down sometimes.
Now I'm down a with strep. So uncool... |
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Neil Turner, Photographer
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Bournemouth | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 2:18 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> I'm currently suffering from an acute tear in my rotator cuff in my right shoulder. Painful as hell, means that I cannot carry anything on that shoulder and that even holding a camera requires some effort. The prognosis is that I will need surgery in a couple of weeks if it doesn't start to heal by itself very soon.
The extra issue of sleep deprivation is something that I am struggling with and I hate taking so many tablets just to function. Luckily it has happened at a traditionally quiet time of year.
Not sure what the trigger was but it is an injury closely related to sports and at the age of 46 I still play a lot of cricket - which alongside baseball is one of the most common sports to cause such an problem. It became unbearable whilst playing with the kids! |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 3:07 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> Tennis elbow from an overloaded Lowepro backpack camera bag, handheld 300 2.8 a frisbee obsessed dog and lightstands that flared and flared until I had to take off work at two newspapers much to their pissed off-ness. Newsflash, I hated every second of being laid up! Last year I finally had to have surgery where they detached the ligament, scraped out the entire elbow and reattach it, and fish out a pain pump myself a week later. Fun.
Also broke my hand six months before that on the other hand snowboarding and still can't grip right.
As Indiana Jones said, "It's not the years, it's the mileage." |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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| | | Posted: 3:19 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> Will,
In 2002 I had a fight with a Ford Taurus that I lost and have to have my right shoulder completely rebuilt. The limit in range of motion has impacted how I shoot.
I completely shifted from using a shoulder back to a waist pack and belt system following this injury. I had used waist packs a bit before the injury, but moved completely away from them while shooting (I use at times, rarely though, for transporting). The move away from a shoulder bag changed how I shot in a few ways, but in my opinion for the better.
Presently I have a completely torn ligament on the anterior of my right ankle and a nearly completely torn ligament on the interior of the same ankle ... which is drastically changing how I shoot. My stability is significantly thrown off as is my ability to move very quickly and pivot. I have adapted how I am shooting, how I am planning my 2nd & 3rd motion as I shoot, as well as how I am using long lenses. |
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Jeroen de Jong, Photographer
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Waalwijk | _ | Netherlands | Posted: 11:49 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> I'm currently suffering my second hernia.
Because of the heavy shoulderbag, putting it down, lifting it, walking with it.
My first operation went succesfull, but during the recovery I felt that it wasn't what I've expected. Made a new scan 8 weeks after the operation. Voila; you have yet another hernia. "But doctor, I didn't do antything, just lied in my bed and only got out for eating and walking around."
He was willing to operate a seccond time. After 2 months we deceided to wait and see how it goed. I'm not so disabled as during the first hernia, but I still have lots of lower backproblems (stifness and so) and that isn't going to be solved by any surgecal operation. Fyschio says he can't do anything about it. I'm going to have to live with it.
Trasht the shoulderbag and bought a waistbelt. Something I've should have done long ago..... |
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Thomas Campbell, Photographer
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Houston/San Antonio | TX | USA | Posted: 11:58 AM on 08.07.10 |
->> I got a nice little case of dysentery while in Southeast Asia. I dropped from 185 lbs to 135 lbs in about 3 weeks. Got to have a few fun procedures and now have a lifelong case of irritable bowel syndrome to remember the experience by. You can imagine the hilarious ways it impacts my shoots at times. Greasy food or stress is an exciting proposition.
I am very careful what I eat the day before and day of a big assignment or wedding. |
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Mark Perlstein, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Plano | TX | USA | Posted: 6:20 PM on 08.07.10 |
->> I cut off 3 fingers(had 2 re-attached) in my left hand with a compound mitre saw in 2001, was back at work in 2 weeks, shooting with a brace protecting my left hand. I am grateful for autofocus. I am not nearly as handy as I once was. :-)
Like most other shooters my age, I often have a sore back and tennis elbow. |
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Chet Gordon, Photographer
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Newburgh | NY | US | Posted: 6:30 PM on 08.07.10 |
->> I am on separate drops 4x / day to control the pressure in my eyes, as in the early stages of glaucoma. Fortunately it was diagnosed early and is treatable at my age (50). You cannot imagine the conversations I've had with my glaucoma specialist, particularly when the subject of corrective surgery came up last year. I never forget to take my drops...
~cg. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 8:49 PM on 08.07.10 |
| ->> I had a lobotomy...it has served me well in the newspaper business.... |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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| | | Posted: 9:07 PM on 08.07.10 |
| ->> You know Chuck, since we all know you were a cub photographer assigned to cover the Christ's Crucifixion ... you're doing pretty good for your age :0) |
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Dianna Russell, Photographer
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 1:47 AM on 08.08.10 |
->> Service connected (Army) disability that ended up with a right shoulder total reconstruction. And now arthritis and ongoing problems are giving me fits while shooting. As goofy as I must have looked with a 80-200 on a monopod while I waited for my 300 to come back from repair, it just hurt too bad and I had to use it.
The right knee that needs replacing isn't helping me move any too fast either. Even though it's H... getting old, I refuse to let it stop me. |
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Walt Middleton, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 10:08 AM on 08.08.10 |
->> Lets see...
Vasectomy didn't help at all with Photography... However life is a little simpler with it done. If you are done having kids... Get it done...
The ankles, well nothing that a lot of ibuprofen and stretching doesn't fix... Although it can be a pain in the a## after a football straight to Soccer day.
Shoulder, Tore two labrums in my right shoulder... after surgery that was a real trick to keep shooting and recover... First time I ever used an assistant for any job. Still didn't resort to a monopod even for the 300, now... shoulder is better than new (Due to rehab)but I have a terrible pain in my a$$, Oh wait that would be my 10 month old, 3 1/2 old, and that gorgeous 35 year old that convinced me to get that vasectomy.
Oh well I guess I'll just have to live with those pains...
It might be worth it...
But in all seriousness, every job, even those behind the desks have medical complications to them... I just heard on NPR that sitting for long periods of time actually lowers your life expectancy... Go figure... |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Indiana | IN | USA | Posted: 1:14 PM on 08.08.10 |
| ->> As Dylan mentioned, a diabetic reaction to low blood sugar is no laughing matter. I've had this occur a few times over the years. All you can think of is getting something in you to counteract the effects. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 3:13 PM on 08.08.10 |
->> After reading some of these posts, I'm glad all I've had to deal with is asthma and a heart attack.
They've basically figured out how to cure my asthma, I just have to take the "stuff". As for the heart attack, rehab, and now a modest running program have put me in better shape than I've been in for a long time. I have few complaints compared to what some of you deal with.
Walt, the heart docs are telling their patients one of the most effective drugs is sweat - in other words, exercise. Of course, 6 out of 7 heart patients fail to follow their doctor's instructions.
I hope each and every one of you can get the problems tended to so that you can continue to lead healthy and happy lives. |
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Michael Troutman, Photographer
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Carmel | CA | USA | Posted: 3:30 PM on 08.08.10 |
->> My elbow hurts pretty good ever since the U.S. Open...but the plantar fasciitis is 95% better after a year-and-a-half...and the sciatica is manageable.
:0/ |
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Eileen Blass, Photographer
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xxxxx | xx | USA | Posted: 4:07 PM on 08.08.10 |
| ->> I tore my rotator cuff tendon falling on a patch of ice and had rotator cuff surgery 16 months ago. The surgery was a success but the recovery was very long and very painful. I'm about 95% recovered...still have a strength issue I have to continue to work on with weights. I can identify with your problems with sleep, Neil. Getting comfortable was next to impossible. Rotator cuff tears don't heal themselves. It's rather that people learn to live with pain and the pain may improve or not, but it doesn't grow back together. The only way to fix it for sure is to have the surgery, and the surgery is tough because recovery is a long process that involves considerable physical therapy. But there is that attention getting fancy brace that holds your arm at a certain angle for many weeks. That brace always got a conversation going with whomever had the guts to ask...."what the heck happened to you." . Neil, I hope you get through this quickly and without too much pain. I do advise you to purchase the ice pack that comes with a water pump connected to a small ice chest. This machine is what really got me through the first days after surgery and anytime I had inflammation (daily for months). It delivers a constant flow of cold water to the ice pack which you just leave on your shoulder. That ice machine was my best friend. A nerve block during surgery also helped with pain the first couple of days post surgery. Do EVERYTHING your physical therapist tells you to do and you'll be fine (eventually). |
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Andrew Knapik, Photographer, Assistant
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Lincoln Park | MI | USA | Posted: 6:51 PM on 08.08.10 |
->> I have had two major surgeries on my left hip, and I will be having my first surgery on my right hip about a week before Chirstmas this year. I have a condition known as FAI - or an impingement of the hip. I am too young for a hip replacement, so I am stuck with what I have.
Before my hip problems really began - I was working mostly sports and event photography. My weekends consisted of a 15 hour day on Friday and Saturday, and about a 10 hour day on Sundays. This is coupled with the fact that I have a full time job outside of photography.
Ever since my first surgery, I have had to cut my days working - a lot. I now shoot more weddings, portraits, and some sports when I can fit it in.
How has this affected my photography - I move slower and with more purpose. I work less days - but also take jobs that pay better so I do not have to work as much. Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be uncomfortable - as can standing. Some major challenges for me include when photographing NHL and College Hockey. Sitting on the glass criss-cross apple sauce style begins to be painful after about 10 minutes. A period of hockey lasts about 30-40 minutes. I use a lot of Advil and Tylenol. I also do not shoot as much as I would like to.
I can agree with what everyone else has said - make sure that you do what your PT and DOC tells you too. If they say not to work for 2 months, do not chance it - do it. It is better for you in the long run. |
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Mike Last, Photographer, Assistant
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 12:56 AM on 08.09.10 |
| ->> Right on Dylan! Good to see another Type 1 around. Around 9 years with it now. |
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Rob Dicker, Photographer
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Lake Villa | IL | USA | Posted: 9:29 AM on 08.09.10 |
| ->> I ruptured a ligament in my wrist catching my 300 2.8 and D3 as they were falling to the floor. While being prepped for the surgery to fix my hand they found three coronary arteries were block - so I had a triple bypass, then had my hand repaired - they had to remove three bones and make a new wrist joint. Now I only have about 30 percent of the normal range of motion and still live with lots of discomfort, especially after a long day of shooting. Bottom line, catching the camera and hurting my hand saved my life. |
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Neil Turner, Photographer
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Bournemouth | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 9:36 AM on 08.09.10 |
->> Thanks Eileen... It's good to know that there is a way through this and having free healthcare here in the UK is also a huge comfort. The painkillers, anti-inflamatory pills and exercises are doing a good job and things are becoming more manageable. I think that tripods and monopods will figure a lot more in my life for the foreseeable future.
Big test tomorrow - I have a whole day shoot where I will have two cameras, a small bag and spend most of the day on my feet.
It's not until you read threads like this that you realise how physical our job is. |
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Timothy Hale, Photographer
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Fort McPherson | GA | United States | Posted: 10:03 AM on 08.09.10 |
->> I had a torn left medial meniscus repaired last May.
Two months ago, the same knee started hurting along the patella tendon, back of the knee and along the medial meniscus.
I've still been shooting during this time with the help of anti-inflamatories and a knee wrap.
Some days it hurts to walk and some days it doesn't. I'm actually most comfortable kneeling (with knee pads) than I am walking or standing. Go figure.
I go back to the doc tomorrow so I'll see what he says. I'm trying to avoid another surgery if at all possible.
T |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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| | | Posted: 11:46 AM on 08.09.10 |
->> Neil,
If it makes you feel any better, when I had my shoulder rebuilt, it was placed into a 90ยบ right angle brace for about 3 months. I actually went and shot jobs like that. It wasn't easy ... the really hard part was getting in the car :0) |
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Paul Cacciapaglia, Photographer, Assistant
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Houston (Friendswood) | TX | USA | Posted: 12:22 PM on 08.09.10 |
| ->> I had a total hip replacement this past May. I am usually very busy shooting several football games each weekend. Am still rehabing myself to get ready to shoot football this year. Hopefully all goes well with football starting in two weeks. |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 5:38 PM on 08.10.10 |
->> @Mike - this is my 12th year I think.. assuming I know how old I was in grade 9, ha.
You had any close calls? The worst part with me is that I start to sweat like MAD when I'm going low, so I'm stumbling around and dripping wet, it must look awful, haha |
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