THE PAIN OF GETTING OLDER (WHILE STILL ACTING LIKE A KID)

I was sitting in my chair in front of my computer, trying to get comfortable. Shifting my back support up, down and to the side. Trying to relieve the deep ache in the center of my back.
Meanwhile, my patient was describing to me how he injured himself while skating down the sidewalk in front of his house. I asked him if he was riding a skateboard, inline skates, or a scooter. He explained to me that he was wearing 'Healez' (if you have a kid you know what I am talking about). My patient is in his late 30's, and before I could ask him WHY he was wearing these shoes with wheels built into the heals, he explained to me that it was something he had always wanted to do, so he tried it. And in less than 2 minutes, he ended up with an open and ugly fracture of his tibia and fibula. He underwent surgery and has now made his way to me for his rehabilitation.

These types of ideas are what tend to get us in trouble. As I think about my lifestyle, many things have changed from my 20's to my 30's and nearing my 40's, but my level of activity and fitness has stayed about the same. The main difference that I notice is that I do not recover like I used to.  I can remember playing basketball all day, playing in 2 to 4 soccer games in a weekend, surfing for 3-4 hours at a time, skiing from 9am to 4 pm without stopping for lunch.  I can recall being a little sore for a day or two afterward, but nothing more.  Now, after a tough workout or a long surf session, I can feel the soreness and fatigue for 3-4 days. 

The power of aging is strong. Although I eat healthier, exercise more often, and get more sleep, I continue to find it more and more difficult to recover from my play time. As I listen to my patients describe the pain in their knees, I sometimes drift off and start to think about my own multiple areas of pain and discomfort.  My back is sore and occasionally "goes out" (which I have self diagnosed as a herniated disc). My right ankle has a significant loss of ROM and occasionally locks up (secondary to a high ankle sprain while playing basketball a year ago). My left ankle is stiff and chronically sore and swollen following an ORIF of an ankle fracture and syndesmosis tear while skiing in 2001 (this is now considered my "good" ankle). My left shoulder is unstable, and painful on occasion secondary to a dislocation while playing tackle football, followed by multiple subluxations over the years (self diagnosed again as a labral tear).  My right shoulder is intermittently painful, with severe pain and pinching felt when trying to bench press too much weight.

At this time, I can safely say that is all that is bothering me at the moment. But there is still time, I am playing racquetball tomorrow and am sure I will come limping home with some type of ailment afterward. My girlfriend always asks me why I keep doing these things to myself, why don't I take it easy. When she asks me those things, I never hesitate with the answer. "That is just the way I am, I will always play sports and work out hard, its just the price I have to pay." But is it all worth it in the end? I would not enjoy myself any other way.

If you are like me, you know what I'm talking about.

So raise your glass of water and swallow your Advil, for tomorrow is a new day, and you will be one day older.