Well we just moved across the continent to California. It is good to be back! However, the wrist recovery is slow going and frustrating at times. I go to see a new doctor in Berkeley on tomorrow to continue evaluation and hopefully setup a rehab plan. Today I stopped by the local box (MidState Crossfit) to do some warm-ups with the group class and let them know I will be in there when I can to start squatting. It felt great!
Last night however, I received a phone call from Zach Krych. This is an Olympic lifter who suffered an overcame a perilunate dislocation in both wrists. When I say "he overcame" the injury, I mean he totally defeated his old personal records and provided inspiration to thousands of people through his video 'Strong Will' (posted below). See below to read about our conversation.
Last night however, I received a phone call from Zach Krych. This is an Olympic lifter who suffered an overcame a perilunate dislocation in both wrists. When I say "he overcame" the injury, I mean he totally defeated his old personal records and provided inspiration to thousands of people through his video 'Strong Will' (posted below). See below to read about our conversation.
In 2003 Zach Krych was accepted to the U.S. Olympic Training Center to pursue his dream of becoming a competitive Olympic weightlifter, and to one day compete in the Olympic Games. After suffering a devastating injury in 2009 he was told he would never weightlift again and that his career was over. Against all odds Zach overcame his injury and eventually won a U.S. National Championship, and is now contending for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This is his inspirational story of struggle and success and how he overcame insurmountable odds.
Here are my unedited notes from our conversation. Zach is finishing up Vet school and was extremely pressed for time, but took a moment to call me and answer some questions I had. This conversation made his story much more real.
General questions:
Do we have same injury? Zach: Yep perilunate dislocation.
Did you have any additional surgery? Zach: 1 additional to remove some irritated nerve endings, may not be necessary for you.
How was rehab? Zach: it is really slow...making circles, squeezing puddy, small hammers. overhead weight ridiculously small (2 lbs)
What can I do about mobility? Zach: shoulder mobility will help compensate for wrists
What about my strength, it is pretty much gone? Zach: It will come back, but not in the same places on the forearm
What did you do for nutrition? Zach: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, take it all because you do not know what the limiting factors will be. (I think he used Shaklee products).
What to expect after rehab:
- Small (+5 lbs) increases and then a day off, see how wrist feels
- Pulling not really that painful (deadlift, pullups, etc.)
- Snatching hurts, especially with a wide grip.
- Cleaning can hurt - leather wrist wraps, something stiff to protect and load the weight away from the injury.
- 2 Aleve worked as well as 8 Ibuprofens, but if you're not lifting overhead too much there may not be much pain.
- Push-ups are actually extremely tough on the wrist - do the perfect pushups : ) with dumbells
Mental game:
- Don't think about how things would be different if it did not happen, it is useless.
- Be grateful --- For modern medicine. Imagine 100 years ago? You would be a cripple. For the ability of the human body to overcome challenges. Be grateful for the great people in your life. Sure you might have known they love and care about you, but did you know how they would support you physically and emotionally?
- Document the process - Write a blog? Video the progress...
Probably the most helpful piece of advice was to "be grateful". The mental aspect of this injury has been far worse than any of the pain. Recognizing all of the wonderful people around me is something I may never have been in good at in the past, but going forward I plan to change that.
So, to start, thank you Zach. I am grateful we met.
General questions:
Do we have same injury? Zach: Yep perilunate dislocation.
Did you have any additional surgery? Zach: 1 additional to remove some irritated nerve endings, may not be necessary for you.
How was rehab? Zach: it is really slow...making circles, squeezing puddy, small hammers. overhead weight ridiculously small (2 lbs)
What can I do about mobility? Zach: shoulder mobility will help compensate for wrists
What about my strength, it is pretty much gone? Zach: It will come back, but not in the same places on the forearm
What did you do for nutrition? Zach: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, take it all because you do not know what the limiting factors will be. (I think he used Shaklee products).
What to expect after rehab:
- Small (+5 lbs) increases and then a day off, see how wrist feels
- Pulling not really that painful (deadlift, pullups, etc.)
- Snatching hurts, especially with a wide grip.
- Cleaning can hurt - leather wrist wraps, something stiff to protect and load the weight away from the injury.
- 2 Aleve worked as well as 8 Ibuprofens, but if you're not lifting overhead too much there may not be much pain.
- Push-ups are actually extremely tough on the wrist - do the perfect pushups : ) with dumbells
Mental game:
- Don't think about how things would be different if it did not happen, it is useless.
- Be grateful --- For modern medicine. Imagine 100 years ago? You would be a cripple. For the ability of the human body to overcome challenges. Be grateful for the great people in your life. Sure you might have known they love and care about you, but did you know how they would support you physically and emotionally?
- Document the process - Write a blog? Video the progress...
Probably the most helpful piece of advice was to "be grateful". The mental aspect of this injury has been far worse than any of the pain. Recognizing all of the wonderful people around me is something I may never have been in good at in the past, but going forward I plan to change that.
So, to start, thank you Zach. I am grateful we met.
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