Not Exactly Photo Equipment, but...

[rpcrowe]

I am getting old and have to admit that fact. It does beat the hell out of the alternative but, growing old has its own set of problems.

To walk any distance or over some uneven terrain, I have begun to use a cane. This is a problem when I am shooting because, what am I to do with the cane? Hooking it onto my belt or having the cane hanging from the loop around my wrist is a PITA. I have a cane that "sort of" stands straight but, I can't count on that.

I found one of these used on craigslist and decided to "bite the bullet" and pick it up...



This will also allow me to cary some gear like extra lenses or a bottle or two of water without worrying about the weight all that much. It will also give me a place to sit while I am waiting for an event to start.

I know that I will look like an "old man" but, I am an old man

[Donald]

Given my pre-surgery issues with my hip and, indeed, the post-surgery rehab still going on, the issue of what to do with a walking stick/pole has featured heavily in my photographic challenges over the past few years. Hopefully I'm now coming to the end of that, but the frustrations of leaning it against the tripod only to see it then fall to the ground, are well documented in my brain.

[rpcrowe]

I have learned (deduced) that the major portion of my back and balance problems stem from my left hip. What pin-pointed this to me was that I received a steroid shot in that hip which was supposed to relieve the pain. The shot was a cocktail of steroid and some fast acting pain killer.

When the needle was in - I felt tingling in all the areas that have been bothering me - from my back all the way down to my toes. When I walked out of the doctors office, I felt great! Absolutely no pain in leg, knee, foot or back. I also had no weakness and my balance was perfect. That lasted about 24 hours and then the pain and weakness returned - not as great as prior to the shot but still there.

I guess that it is time for a hip replacement. However, I will wait until I have done the Honor Flight before I opt for surgery. I don't want to miss out on the trip and this walker will help with that trip...

[Manfred M]

My recent (over the past few years) push for studio work, both in portraiture and in still life work is largely driven by mobility issues that are developing as I get older. The nice thing about a studio is that there are plenty of handy places to put a cane.

[DanK]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I think a lot of us who participate in this forum have reached the point of having mobility problems. I have, although, thankfully, mine have been manageable most of the time so far.

That's the primary reason I have been dithering about lighter equipment, but that will only lessen the issue, not solve it.

[rpcrowe]

No rough terrain to navigate in a studio either

[rpcrowe]

I picked up a used Nitro Drive Walker for $25 USD on craigslist.

[AaronRoberts]

Richard…. As you’ve no doubt figured out by now, steroid injections are a band-aid and not a cure. They provide only temporary relief. If you’ve been having pain and tingling starting in your back and travelling down to your toes (wspecially if it only on one side), make sure your doc orders a lumbar MRI. That history could easily be explained by a bulging or herniated lumbar disk (in the L4 or L5 region) with some impingement on the associated nerve root. Hip replacement will do nothing if that is the cause of your symptoms.

[Martin A]

I am 68 yrs old. Thirteen years ago, at the age of 55 I had both hips replaced within six months. The head of both femurs had necrotized and collapsed. Fortunately, I had an excellent surgeon and have had virtually no problems after a short recuperation with each. To anyone who is about to have this procedure done, please be sure to take advantage of all the physical therapy available to you after the replacement: it's very important for a good outcome.