Some help with an odd issue please.

[Xanthus]

Ok, so I love my Cobra, but any time I drive it for more than 30 minutes it starts tearing up my left shoulder. If I have to take a longer trip in it the pain from it can last for days. I cannot manage to lift much of anything at all unless I take about a week off from driving my Cobra.

Would power steering help?

Different seats?

Anyone got any ideas?

[ERA2188]

Do you have a bad back or some sciatic nerve issues?

[Dangerous Doug]

Sounds like you need to take a trip to a physical therapist. Take the Cobra and show them what you're doing and explain how you feel.

Solution could be as simple as holding the steering wheel with both hands, or stop flipping other drivers off during high speed, high wind friction runs...

Just kidding. Bummer, dude. Go to the PT and see what he/she has to say.

DD

[GlynMeek]

Can I ask some qualification questions...

What sort of seats do you have right now?
Have you ever had this shoulder problem before doing anything else, or do you have a history of problems there?
Can you 'feel' that the problem is exascerbated by doing anything in particular, e.g. steering, braking etc.?
Now for a really rude one...lol...how old are you?

Glyn

[Mastiff107]

I lift a lot of weights but my left sholder still hurts when I first get back to driving the cobra. I also can't walk right after I first get back to the motorcycle from pushing into the gas tank with my inner thight. Between the two I walk like Quasi Modo for a week or so (not my best look but probably not my worst). It's different muscles used pushing that thing around the road. When I'm highway driving and not doing a lot of shifting I make sure I steer with my right arm. Power steering would certainly help. I'm getting old so if I wait just a little while something else always starts hurting and I forget about the sholder.

[Excaliber]

I had a hip problem for a few months which made it uncomfortable to drive the Cobra, so I didn't. Eventually the pain went away and I was left wondering, "What the heck was that all about?" At the time it was even difficult to ride my motorcycle. I have no clue where it came from or why and then disappeared.

[Rick Yeager]

I think that Glyn's questions are appropriate. Where does your shoulder hurt? Does it radiate into your arm and hand? Is something like the seat belt lying against it ? Are you holding it in an uncomfortable way, or supporting your self with it? Does any thing else hurt too or feel weak or numb? Something as simple as moving your bill fold from one pocket to the other or installing an arm rest or changing the angle of the seat, especially laterally may make all the difference. A good physical therapist or trainer or some insightful physicians can be a great help. Probably a few of them are Cobra folks and would be glad to just look (esp. if you offer them a ride in it while they are looking ) Also listen to your body, with a little thinking and experimentation it often will tell you what the problem is.

Rick

[Bobcat]

For what it`s worth .... I used to do about 50k/yr in my job and had a lot of problems with back , hip , neck etc pain . One therapist asked me if I drove with my billfold in my back pocket .... which I did . Removed it and a lot ( but not all ) of the problems went away ( two hip replacements also helped ) .

[Ronbo]

When I worked for Motorola in my younger years one of the old-timers told me: "I'm not worried about what hurts today, I'll worry when I get up and nothing hurts!"

I fully appreciate what he meant now...

Guess It's just payback for all the abuse I've inflicted on myself over the years. I used to be able to sleep without injuring myself, now I can't.

Doesn't sound like anything more than nerve issues from having your elbow at shoulder level. There's not much to do it either clears up on it's own or you stop doing what aggravates it. Third (and worst) option is pain killers. Cortizone may help if it's a joint issue.

[terry251]

Xanthus,

I'm reading more and more articles about the billfold issue. I'm left-handed and carry it in my left hip pocket. My left shoulder also aches after driving the Cobra and my left forearm/wrist pumps up like crazy from using the clutch on the motorcycle. Both issues eased considerably when I quit carrying my wallet that way. Also, the pedals are off-set quite a bit in my SPF - possibly contributing to the issue as well.

Terry

[Silverback51]

One more question for you.

How big are you?

I'm 5'8" and weight in the 240 range. With my shoulder width I also have a problem in that I'm up tight against the door. Doesn't really hurt, but it's not comfortable either.

[Xanthus]

I am just shy of 6', I have to remove my wallet to fit in the little bucket seats I have, and I get a lesser pain in the other arm wrestling around my Mini with no power steering and it is right hand drive. Before you laugh it has 13" wheels which are giant for it and it has 155 HP which leads to massive torque steer. Now this pain in the opposite shoulder happens again only on extended trips. I am 35, not in shape, however save for a Mini sized spare tire I am in generally slimish shape. The pedals being offset are offset in the other direction in the Mini.

I know that low speed turning is a massive pain in the *** and that does tend to fatigue my shoulders noticably every time I have to manouver it. Now were that the issue I'd pay more for 3 trips around town in one day, but I pay more from driving her on the highway for an extended period of time. I really think for me I personally need power steering, but I was wondering if anyone knew if adding this may help with any of that.

I am well overdue for a plain old doctor so I know a PT may well be able to help some, but for now my massage therapist is well capable of eliminating the pain on a case by case basis. Then I have a long drive again and it has returned. I had hoped that maybe it was lack of strength and it would eliviate in time, but I just got that nasty virus that has been around here and have been not driving the open top car for over a week.

Just had a trip this evening that was fine, though it was short. I hope to get some more seat time tomorrow.

[Jerry Clayton]

Do you drive with your arm on the door top?

If so , probably your left rotator cuff muscle

There is some exercises for rehabilitating them

[Xanthus]

Sometimes, both in the Mini and the Cobra.

[SantaFe66]

I'm wondering if you snug down the shoulder straps when you drive? If you also rest your left arm on the door like most of us, you might be putting stress on your shoulder. I've had rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder and cannot tolerate any abnormal pressure on that side that would restrict movement up and forward. I don't use shoulder belts as a result.

Just something else to check. By the way, that is good advice about a Physical Therapist. The best advice and care I have ever gotten for my aches have come from them.

[Xanthus]

I do not use the shoulders unless I am on the highway, but I will be mindful of the amount of pressure I have on them.

[CHANMADD]

Hey!! I think you should invest in a couple of dumbells and maybe a lifting bar.Go and have a few races in those indoor electric Gokarts....that works your shoulders...No pain No gain!!

[CobraDan]

Xanthus,
When I saw you were living in Florida I thought you were just one of us old farts, I will be turning 69 next month. I drove my cobra without power steering for years but found it was getting more and more difficult when trying to park so I installed power steering. When driving power steering wasn’t really ever needed but it is really nice now when parking it. I also have my wallet in my front pocket to alleviate ass pain, I would suggest seeing your doctor as you are more than likely older than you think (35) and you will really like getting my age as getting out of bed each morning becomes harder and harder.

[Bob In Ct]

It's not the car, it's you. You're old (like a lot of us) and the parts don't work as well as they once did. I have a "pinched nerve" in my neck. The result is pain and numbness in my arm and shoulder. I still enjoy driving my snake. I'm very careful getting in and out.

Bob

[Xanthus]

Well this has me examining other options again. The Atom has always interested me...

Several folks have offered me a test drive in theirs.