My Surfing Days Might Be Over

Agree with others. wouldnt take what doc says as absolute fact. Grab a handplane and a set of fins while you give your shoulder a break. When you go back, ease into it. If you're overweight at all, drop the extra LBs to give your shoulder an easier time.

 

Mine has popped out and it hurts. had to belly wop back in looking like a pooswah. Some suggested to me that stretching would help in preventing. I found some good routines. the only problem is when there's waves, I forget everything and get in ASAP.

 

Get a second opinion and take it easy for a while. Sports med specialists, PT and chiro guys are probably gonna view your shoulder with a different opinion than an orthopod would. Sports med docs are going to focus on rehabilitating your shoulder and any secondary issues from the injury that's throwing your body off. A good orthopod is going to give his opinion on whether or not you should have the surgery. Also, orthopedic surgery is literally one of the hardest specialties to get into out of medical school, you have to be REALLY REALLY REALLY intelligent. I'd try and be conservative with the Sports Med specialist first though before I went under the knife but that's me.

 

I agree with everyone else... This Doc stinks!

If every doc told athletes that they can't enjoy their sport anymore after a serious injury, there would be very little athletes left.

I have serious shoulder problems, and have had 2 surgeries, due to the repeated should dislocations. I have unfortunately gone down the surgery route, but that doesn't mean you have to.

The best thing you can do is make sure to keep your shoulders strong, and keep up with your exercises as much as possible. When it feels very strong then go for a paddle. Take it slowly, and I'm sure you will get back out there.

Shoulders, of course, are super important for surfing. Take care of them, and you'll be surfing a long time.

 

take it from a doctor...

I'm an orthopedic surgeon and I surf.

Your doctor is wrong. I have treated hundreds of patients with separated shoulders and encourage all of them to go back to sports. Most can, only a few need surgery. I only recommend surgery if they cant go back to sports and/or have chronic daily pain.

Many pro athletes have chronic shoulder separations and still play, don't be discouraged.

Keep in mind that a separation is different from a dislocation. A dislocation is when the ball pops out of the ball and socket joint. A separation is when the collarbone/wingbone articulation (the spot where a bra-strap would rest on the top of a shoulder) is stressed or disrupted.

A dislocation is may make your shoulder more likely to pop out again, esp while paddling. though surgery is not always the first line of treatment for that either.

happy to answer any other questions if you wish. send me a personal message and we can chat.

in the meantime, surf.

 

Been through the same thing. What my physical therapist (who surfs) told me was that a lot of doctors incorrectly assume paddling in surfing is the same as doing a freestyle swim. Try it yourself, pretend you're laying on a board while standing up and do a few paddles; your arm never has to rotate behind your back to do the movement. I went through with the surgery and I'm definitely not back to 100%, nor will I ever be. I'd say to do everything you can do to modify your paddling and your lifestyle before you go for surgery. Ice and stretching are your friend too.

 

I had some muscular shoulder issues because for 20+ years I had relied on my upper traps to do all the work paddling. It got bad late fall when I refused to quit surfing and my body tried to compensate leaving me 6 months later with a tweaked neck and a pinched nerve that made the left side of my body numb from behind my knee up into my face. Physical therapy solved it. They listened and preached momentary moderation (not quitting surfing). Within a few sessions and some serious work at home I could engage my lower traps paddling thereby ending my pain. After 8 weeks of twice weekly work outs I didn't even have to think about it anymore. I know its not the same as your injury but point is your body (with a good therapist/ doctor who listens) can quickly adjust and adapt. Surfing life is only over if you give up.

 

how nice is that? unless of course he stayed in a holiday inn express last night...

 

now that's awesome...

btw, i'm guessing we can't personal message on this forum, so happy to answer any orthopedic questions this way.

 

I have had issues with my shoulder from years of skating and surfing wipeouts as a kid. Then I got T boned and rolled over three times about 15 years ago. My left shoulder was screwed. Gentile yoga and especially daily tai chi practice has given me back the gift of a mobile and pain free (mostly) shoulder. Best of luck in your journey.

 

I am also a lap swimmer, so the shoulders get worked every day. I started to take two Advils 45-60 minutes before surfing, since it always seemed a problem after surfing. Since doing the Advils, my shoulders no longer give me problems. I copied it off some of the tennis pros like McEnroe--- he used to do Advil before his big matches. Once your shoulders improve, you might fne it helps for prevention. It's an anti inflammatory.

Definitely get a different doctor too! If I listened to all my doctors' advice over the years, I would either be dead or bed ridden.

 

I just encourage you to stay diligent on the exercising and continued strengthening of the shoulder.
I initially dislocated my shoulder about 15 years ago. I was really antsy to get back surfing as quick as possible, and I went on to dislocate the shoulder repeatedly.

As the doc, has pointed out dislocation, of course, is not the same a separation, but my point is to make sure you rehab properly before pushing it.

Avoid surgery if possible! I've lossed a lot of range of motion from my two surgeries, and in retrospect I really wish I had taken more time to rehab my shoulder before pushing.

Good luck.

 

Slashdog beat me to it!

This chick it doin it with one arm!