Work Related Injuries []

BlackWorksInc

BlackWorksInc

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So about a couple weeks ago my finger got crushed/almost severed working on a Rav4 window regulator. It's been a fun (sarcasm) experience, luckily the tendon and most of the nerves were spared and the finger wasn't completely severed. They managed to reattach the digit and shoved a titanium rod in my finger to help it heal up (did a damn good job too compared to how it looked before!) So now I'm not able to work for a while until it heals up (considering I enjoy off-roading, shooting, fabricating, and working on cars you can safely assume I am absolutely bored out of my mind and bummed out.)

I was a aprehensive about posting about this on the forum mostly because I am not looking to garner attention or sympathy, but I am genuinely bored and somewhat depressed (which isn't a new thing if you remember my depression thread from a while back http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-topic/155321-depression.html) over the situation. So I was just wondering how many of you guys went through similar things and how you coped with basically being unable to do anything fun for a while?

These days I am trying to look at it as an opportunity to relax, perhaps spend time with friends and family. But it is not that easy, I get bored and depressed because I feel "silly" that I can't do my job (and by extension the things I enjoy) because of just a little finger injury. I know it's rather depressive/self-loathing thinking, but I'm usually the kind of person that pushes themselves too hard and then some. So seeing that my left hand still functions for the most part as does the rest of my body save for my ring finger makes me feel like my injury is this little thing I shouldn't complain about (which logically I know it isn't, but when you're basically stuck home for a couple weeks sitting on your arse, these thoughts creep in.)

So I'd love to hear from my fellow injured members!

Post Note-
I was considering posting pictures since you people demand them all the time, but they are a bit graphic.
 
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So a little background info first. I'm a track and field coach for a local high school in Minneapolis been doing track and field on a team for 11 years now and I finally got my first major injury. I was racing with 3 other coaches on my team in a relay and we were kicking the varsity teams' collective asses when it came to my spot in the relay I was 20 meters from the next handoff and that is when my Achilles tendon snapped. it sounded like a gunshot and I thought it was the starter gun going off but next thing I knew I was on the ground with blood coming from my thigh where my spikes scratched it and no feeling and I mean none in my left foot. I somehow got back up and started dragging my foot trying to get to the finish line and that's when I collapsed, hit my head, and got a concussion. Next thing I know I'm in the hospital getting a ct scan and an mri. My Achilles was completely severed and needed to be reattached through surgery. So official diagnosis after surgery was 6 weeks in a hard cast and under doctors orders I was to only get up for the bathroom and eat some food then another 6 weeks in a walking boot. And now lots of physical therapy. Thank God for hot physical therapists! I got the boot off in the middle of august and I have to do physical therapy until December. But those first 6 weeks were f*&$ing hell. I read about 40-50 books(lost count) and played video games cuz that's really all I was able to do. I hated every minute of every day and it was actually depressing. And what's worse is that I most likely won't be able to compete at the level I was at ever again. All I can say is it happens for a reason and I can't undo it so it's time for one hobby to go on the back burner(running) and another one to come to the front(working on 4runner/jeep). I got a sweet scar though you should see the bear that thought it could take me. Hope you're recovery goes well dude and that you heal quick.
 
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I've been there.... I was out of work for two months right around two years ago. It wasn't a physical injury, more of an emotional thing. It's crazy how quickly you can run out of things to do when a week before you were out, there weren't anywhere enough hours in the day to accomplish even the most important of things. I tried to focus on cheap, easy, things to occupy my time. Figure out a small project that I never would have had time to do and make it happen. I spent a lot of time in the gym which was nice. Friends were good in that they realized I needed a little extra support and most came through. Aside from that, netflix, porn, and time on this site planning things I could do once I got back to work. I hope things work out for you.

ETA: My ***** g/f stayed true to form and left me hanging through most of it. I stopped shaving, cutting my hair, didn't really care what I wore out of the house etc... I met her for dinner one night and she told me I looked like a homeless. That was awesome. Hopefully your S/O does more for you.
 
hearno said:
ETA: My ***** g/f stayed true to form and left me hanging through most of it. I stopped shaving, cutting my hair, didn't really care what I wore out of the house etc... I met her for dinner one night and she told me I looked like a homeless. That was awesome. Hopefully your S/O does more for you.
Click to expand...

She sounds like a keeper! :wtf:

OP, sorry dude for your injury. I have no advice on the matter. Good luck!

Mental note: never fix window regulators on my own! :(
 
My story the original injury wasn't really work related but ended up being. I got into an accident and shattered my heel bone and lost part of my ankle joint was on crutches for 14weeks after the surgery. Then lots and lots of physical therapy. I hung out with friends and family.

I still managed to do a few wheeling related camping trips with my brothers. Just had to drive 2 footed because the cast and walking boot was to big. So after all that I walked for 3 days then injured it again and was back on crutches for another month.

Being injured shouldn't stop you from being you and enjoying your life. Just remember to keep your finger clean and be a little more careful. I don't see any reason you can't go out and play in your truck. How often do you hold the steering wheel with both hands anyways?
 
[MENTION=106706]MN4runnerman[/MENTION]

I feel for you man, I have a dislocated right shoulder that got me kicked off my college's pole vaulting team (injury happened long before I joined the team and didn't affect me too much, they just didn't want liability despite me being willing to draft a waiver) and it broke my spirit on pretty much all things exercise and sports related for a long while.

I wish you the best.
[MENTION=97032]hearno[/MENTION]

That's rough man, I have had a couple times in the last few weeks where things have gotten to a point where I don't think I could function any more (a good support structure helps keep you sane and the forum also helps a bit.) I can relate on the ex-GF issue, you didn't deserve to be treated like that going through such a tough time...

I'm trying to catch up on my stack of magazines by my desk; but like you said it gets boring after a while.
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION]

Thanks for the support :)
[MENTION=95853]toy4xchris[/MENTION]

It depends on the terrain, sometimes I am using my left hand to steer while manipulating my shifter (it's a 4th gen so it's automatic) or two hands to steer. The problem is that I don't want to bang it on the truck interior (something I do already if I don't drive one handed with it in my lap) and/or get lost in the moment and grip the steering wheel too hard which I have a tendency to (I have a titanium pin through the whole finger and don't want to tweak it/mess it up.) So Off-roading may be off the menu for a little while.

Been thinking about bench shooting one of my rifles, or honing in my single hand pistol technique. But like you said, it's about keeping the injury clean; I am having the stitches pulled out next week so I will feel a bit better when it's not giant scabby wound that'll suck up all that cordite and junk.

I'd honestly love to work on some projects for the 4Runner since now I have the time, but I don't see how I will be able to effectively machine/weld/wrench with one hand basically.

~

I appreciate the support guys! It makes me feel a bit better to know that others have had to deal with the boredom and despondent feelings you get from being laid up on an injury.
 
No work related injuries serious enough to keep me for doing what I love for a long amount of time, worst injury I sustained was getting a 4" grinder wheel stuck in my leg, out for a week or so.
But about offroading, just stick to some very very easy trails and just take in the sights. May not be what your used to but it is better than sitting around.
 
Three years ago broke shoulder and three ribs.

Several years ago spent 10 months in a full leg cast. Shattered upper and lower leg big bones.

Had seven surgeries on my left foot over a period of four years.

Assorted broken stuff when I was young. (Nitro Circus before there was one)

Yeah I know how you feel. The most important thing is to look at this as an opportunity, not a problem.
Is there a job at your work that you CAN do? If so try it! Be a service writer for a bit or sell caes or something. Try new things, something that does not require two hands. Don't think about what you can't do, think about what you can do! Gotta be creative sometimes.

You have a sharp mind. Use it. When I broke the shoulder and ribs a few years ago mountain biking it hurt. Walking hurt. Setting hurt. Lying down was impossible for several weeks. I slept in my recliner. I couldn't do anything. I didn't miss work but it was miserable. Couldn't ride, couldn't play basketball, couldn't do anything but after a week or so I could walk without too much pain so I walked. A lot. Around seven miles a day.

I don't know what kind of physical shape you are in but hey, now would be the time to get in better shape. Start walking or jogging Forrest and don't stop until you can go back to work.

Also listen to Alt-J's "Left Hand" song.
 
Sorry to hear BWI. All I've got to report is lots of old man aches and pains. You strike me as a bright guy ... as 1E said get busy with something - anything. Walking, running, there has to be some form of working out. How about volunteering somewhere? There has to be plenty of things you could do.

Only advice I got fer ya is don't get overanxious and eff up the digit. I didn't take care of a broken arm as a kid, and it has never been right.

GL
 
In the Military i broke all the Metatarsal bones in my left foot. At my current job I've torn both my knees, tore my rt. Hamstring muscle and tore my rt. Biceps tendon
 
Well, now I know how a window regulator works....

Glad you're on the mend. That's all the really matters. As someone who has spent weeks in the hospital, there's nothing better than getting out. And nothing worse than the fear you'll be back.

If you have some downtime and the drive isn't too bad, do some volunteering. Help someone learn to read. Be a big brother. Work in a soup kitchen. I've done all of those things. Nothing provides more perspective about how fortunate we are than when we see others who are far worse off. And, who are far more grateful for what little they have.

All the best.
 
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msp said:
Well, now I know how a window regulator works....

Glad you're on the mend. That's all the really matters. As someone who has spent weeks in the hospital, there's nothing better than getting out. And nothing worse than the fear you'll be back.

If you have some downtime and the drive isn't too bad, do some volunteering. Help someone learn to read. Be a big brother. Work in a soup kitchen. I've done all of those things. Nothing provides more perspective about how fortunate we are than when we see others who are far worse off. And, who are far more grateful for what little they have.

All the best.
Click to expand...

Little known fact about window regulators, they're secondary function is amputation devices when not being used for windows. :P lol
 
-No such thing as a "little finger injury" for people who work with their hands.
-This is a great opportunity to get into long distance rifle shooting, you don't need the use of your entire hand if you're using sandbags/bipod and your trigger finger wasn't injured
-get your ass to a gym and sit down on a recumbent exercise bike and watch TV or Netflix on your phone to stay fit
-walk and hike, the weather is cooling down nicely
-go on a road trip

ETA: also be glad that you got injured by a hospital that does replantation...
 
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LandCruiser said:
-No such thing as a "little finger injury" for people who work with their hands.
-This is a great opportunity to get into long distance rifle shooting, you don't need the use of your entire hand if you're using sandbags/bipod and your trigger finger wasn't injured
-get your ass to a gym and sit down on a recumbent exercise bike and watch TV or Netflix on your phone to stay fit
-walk and hike, the weather is cooling down nicely
-go on a road trip

ETA: also be glad that you got injured by a hospital that does replantation...
Click to expand...

Well luckily enough for me it wasn't completely severed, just almost crushed/torn off. I'm so thankful that the company doctor referred me to this hand surgeon they work with. The man did an amazing job (finger looks almost normal minus the stitches and scabs,) so I am very happy that they said once the pin comes out and some therapy I should have almost 100% function back.

I'm thinking about bench shooting/practicing one handed pistol in a little bit when the wound is a little more closed up.

The GYM!? What are you a monster! :cry:
Joking aside, I have been thinking this might be a good time to get myself in a bit better shape.
 
I took the tip of my right ring finger off in a CAT 3116 turbo. I used to work at NC Machinery. I was running it on the engine dyno and drop my hand into a spot it shouldn't have been and all i felt was the nut on the shaft. Took it down to my nail hurt like hell after about 45 mins. The turbo was cranking out 33 psi boost also.
 
Busted a couple disks in my lower back in the Army by falling off a Bradley. That ended my military career and then back on the home front had a old radiator hose on an older car break as I was leaning on it checking the cars oil at a full service gas station which ended up spraying me with boiling coolant which caused 4th degree burns on the left side of my face and on my left shoulder leaving scars forever. The cool part is I can't feel anything on the side of my face or shoulder as all the nerves are dead.

Hope you heal quickly!
 
Well, Service Manager's having me coming in to do administrative work until the pin comes out... so I guess that will keep me busy (miserable, but busy) until I can get back to wrenching. Thanks again for the support guys.
 
I just wanted to say that I feel for you. It's a bigger pain in the arse than expected to mess up the ring finger on your left hand.

About 3 weeks before my wedding, I got my left hand caught in a (chuck key on a) 3 jaw chuck metal lathe that had had the safety removed. I lost two finger nails and needed 14 stitches from related damage. My wife ended up having to pull my stitches in a Venice hotel on our honeymoon. I still, 5 years later, only have a spike of a nail on my ring finger.

All this to say that I feel for you and that you will be in our prayers.
 
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