What about shoveling snow this winter?

Woodstock Hippy · October 13, 2011, 06:46:48 PM

I know that this sounds stupid but my wife wants me to buy a snow blower for this winter and I really don't want to unless I have to. My shoulder is healing nicely so I don't think that will be a problem. I have my hip surgery (bilateral) on 11/15 and I'm hoping to be walking normally by Christmas. I'm no 90 lb weakling, I've been a Heavy Construction Carpenter all my life and a long distance runner and triathlete for half of it. I've shoveled every snow storm and loved it. If I have to I'll get the snow blower but I hope not to. What do you think, will I be feeling strong enough by the time the snow flies?

obxpelican · October 13, 2011, 07:01:54 PM

It's not that you won't feel strong by then, it's that you have to protect that hip, so what if it snows 3 weeks post-op real good, what do you do then? What if you fall right on a hip?

Buy the snow blower or pay someone to do it.

Protect those hips.

IMHO

Chuck

Ernie · October 13, 2011, 07:02:32 PM

I'd say just hire someone to do it until you are up to it which from my experience might be by the tail end of this winter. But certainly by next winter you'll be fine, and then you'll have a snow blower you no longer need!

powderhippy · October 13, 2011, 11:08:16 PM

Woodstock Dude,
As all the others have said, line up someone to do your shoveling/plowing for this winter. As guys (you know that testosterone gets us into trouble) we have that independant streak and want to do it ourselves. Being a heavy equipment operator is great, but your hip doesn't know that and doesn't care..!
You're having the surgery in mid-November. My restrictions were passive motion and walking for 6 weeks. Then no more lifting then 50 lbs till the 6 month mark. Both my hips are going strong by "listening" to my doc. Do the same. I take it Woodstock means NY state. That snow can get awfully heavy up there. You'll be bending forward and you'll put a bit of stress on that femoral neck. Don't worry. This time next year you'll be as strong as ever, even doing your neighbors yard..LOL.
Seriously, let your body rest this winter, enjoy the snow falling, and pay some responsible person to do the heavy work. Its cheap insurance for a long lasting hip resurface. PLUS you're helping to reduce our nation's unemployment rate.....! Have a wonderful winter, Shelly

ScubaDuck · October 14, 2011, 12:19:43 AM

Hey what about a flame thrower? It would be easier than a snow blower and a lot more fun.

I agree with everyone here. I wouldn't risk being out in the snow and slip and fall. But then I live in Oregon where we just have rain.

Dan

Tin Soldier · October 14, 2011, 01:30:23 AM

I'll do it. Like Dan said we "shovel" rain in Oregon (western OR). It's pretty damn easy. Seriously, if I were your neighbor, I'd shovel your snow for you. Every winter the family and a bunch of friends go up in the mountains and I shovel snow to make the best bobsled run EVER! The kids love it. Every one goes inside and drinks beer at night while I stay out and shovel. Love it.

From someone who over does it once in awhile, I'll recommend you hire the young neighbor kid to do it. Again, I'm licensed and certified to say that. I can understand the idea of feeling pretty stable, even at Christmas (5 weeks?), but the slightest slip or mishap could well be your demise followed with a speedy return to an OR with maybe not such an experienced surgeon cutting you open to try to fix you. I suppose you could try a little shoveling, ease into it, but you're still going to be in a vulnerable position.

My bro in Anchorage is always trying to come up with a crazy scheme to snow blow his driveway. I think he's got a bastardized lawn mower on a rope attached to a pole in the middle of his driveway. He sits in the garage with Carharts on, feet up, drinking Keystone light watching his "snow blower" go around in circles. Life doesn't get much better than that.

hernanu · October 14, 2011, 10:18:47 AM

Woodstock, I live in the Boston area, so I know the kind of snow that you face (although I think you might get worse).

I had my second done 11/29 last year, also faced things like clearing my car off in the middle of noreasters, on crutches. Pay a plow guy to come in and do the big stuff, hire a kid to do the walks, and make it your job to get that hip right. All it takes is a wet snowfall and you're lifting more than 40 lbs per shovelfull. Icy patches and icy rain will also remind you to step back.

There's a risk of neck break because of the loss of blood until three months go by, so at least until then. Let it go, you can go wild with the snow next year - we don't get powder, we get wet, icy snow with frozen temperatures so kick back and recoup.

double trouble · October 14, 2011, 11:25:38 AM

I was in the same position as you [also live in NY (LI)], last year I had Bilateral end of September, i do have a snow blower, but hired a service to take care of the snow last year. As you remember we got dumped on. Let it go this year there are plenty of winters to come.
Good luck on the surgery.

Woodstock Hippy · October 15, 2011, 06:11:52 AM

Thanks everyone. It looks like I will hire someone to take care or the snow this year. Actually I'll get two people since I have two houses to take care of, one in the mountains outside of Woodstock and one on Long Island. I'll get through this winter the easy way, then get back to normal next year.