better support my spine . I was also advised to use ergonomically suitable chairs , improve my posture , avoid sitting in car seats for long periods of time , and keep my weight down . Over the years I ’ ve tried to follow this advice so I can stay active outdoors .
Duane with moon boot after he broke his leg in Australia .
Last year , I developed a tear in the meniscus in my left knee just prior to the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown . Fortunately , I was able to get some physiotherapy before the clinics were shuttered and some advice on how to manage the tear , considering my outdoor lifestyle . I now do exercises ( routinely ) to strengthen the muscles in my knee so I can navigate the outdoors . I wear a knee brace when appropriate . To make matters worse , I developed a terrible pain in my neck during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic . I resorted to chiropractic treatment . To my surprise , my chiropractor was able to resolve the issue so that my mobility wasn ’ t unduly impaired . And to think that I ’ d often wondered whether chiropractic treatments were for real . Now , I ’ m a believer ! Most recently , after I got my two COVID-19 vaccinations , I ’ ve renewed massage and physiotherapy treatments for sore rotator cuffs . I do three sets of daily exercises to alleviate pain in my rotator cuffs . I do other daily exercises to improve my upper body strength and limber up so I can be as mobile as possible . I also try to go on a daily walk , to better both my cardiovascular health and muscle strength in my back , thus avoiding herniated disc problems .
During a sambar deer hunt in Australia a few years ago , I slipped on a forest trail and suffered a spiral fracture in my right leg — a broken leg in medical terms . I was miles from the trailhead . I hobbled ( painfully ) back to my guide ’ s vehicle , fighting tears along the way . The pain was excruciating . Because I was vacationing in the wilds of Oz and headed to New Zealand , a doctor at a rural hospital prescribed a walking boot instead of a cast . I couldn ’ t drive , which didn ’ t sit well with my wife , Adrienne , who had planned to be the navigator . I had a hard time getting around our accommodations ; it was worse at airports . I wore the cast from the time I woke until I went to bed for over ten weeks . Talk about a lesson in ( not ) comfort . Fractured legs , broken ankles , and sprains are among the most common injuries experienced by ordinary folks . You can ’ t be too careful and should always watch your step — accidents can happen to anyone . news & views AUTUMN 2021 | 19