I noticed a thread about medical stuff, so I thought I'd ask about another problem that is interfering with my surfing (good thing the tropicals haven't hit yet!). Has anyone else had problems with their shoulders? It seems I've got rotator cuff tendonitis in not one, but both shoulders! MRI's indicated no significant tears, but both shoulders hurt like hell when I raise my arms to paddle or swim. When I work out, the doc said "no military presses" at all, and I shouldn't carry any significant weight over my head! They gave me some specific excercises designed for rotator cuff injuries, but nothing much has helped (except ibuprofin) and he shot me with cortisone (which really helped, but only for a few weeks!), - I've been advised that repeated cortisone shots end up doing more damage to the tendons. Has anyone else had to deal with this?
i've had a couple surgeries on my one shoulder due to repeated dislocations... Its not the same as rotator cuff, but i "think" the treatment is the same -> strengthening with proper exercises as much possible. I'm not positive, but i belive thats also true for the rotator cuff. Paddling into a wave into the getup position is really demanding on the shoulders, so make sure you are properly healed before testing those shoulders out.
I second the voltaran gel. I have rheumatoid arthritis and when I get flare ups in my hands and wrists the gel helps take care of the pain. Also if you can get your doc to give it to you, Dichoflonac(sp?) is what I take daily to keep the swelling and pain down, I usually double up on it after a good day of bodyboarding, esp if I know I'll be back in the water the following day. Rez
yoga I've never had any shoulder issues personally, but I used to run into this old guy on the north shore all the time, had to be at least 60. He would charge some pretty big surf, and he would preach to everyone about yoga and how he didn't think he'd still be surfing without it. Again, no personal experience, just advice I received from a presumably reliable source. Good luck with all that, hope you get back out there soon!
a bunch of yoga poses are good for strengthening and stabilizing the shoulder muscles, but you have to be careful with some poses that put a lot of stress on the joints, like cobra.
I have had significant rotator cuff tears and surgery in both shoulders. Prior to surgery the cortizone shot and specific physical therapy helped a lot by strengthening the shoulder which helped toward better recovery. Be careful since you may tear again several times before you need surgery. It sounds like you might need to lay off paddling. Make sure you follow the doctors orders for long term results. If you want a second opinion try Dr. Lou Ruland at Anne Arundel Othopaedic Surgeons. He is a kite boarder and into sports related injuries. Dr. Jim McDonald at Oththopaedic and Sports Medicine Center is also tuned in to sports related injuries. Take it slow. Shoulders take along time to recover. Good luck. Hope it all goes your way.
Rotator cuff tendonitis I had a bout of rotator cuff tendonitis in one of my shoulders two years ago. MRI was normal. The doc I went to suggested thera-band exercises a few times a week, with plenty of rest in between. These were the exercises I did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGmS-J-W0Qw I ended up taking about 4 months off completely from surfing and really taking it easy when I first got back into it. Now, my shoulders occasionally give me pain, but for the most part I'm back to normal and can surf for 2-3 hours at a stretch. Good luck. My suggestion is to find another hobby for the fall as you do some rehab and let the inflammation in your shoulders calm down.
I went wakeboarding 2 weeks ago and hurt my shoulder. now every time i rotate my arm it pops! not hurting as much though, im young and still have the mentality that i'll never grow old and sore
Shoulders are complex animals -make sure to get a true diagnosis. I have been working through a shoulder injury which was originally diagnosed as bicepital tendonitis but after not responding to rest and PT I went to a very good sports therapist. She determined that it was a problem in the GH joint not- itis.. Her therapy has reduced the pain and increased range of motion. No drugs no surgery. Doctors are like mechanics, once they figure out what is wrong it is relativly easy to fix- the difficulty is the diagnosis. First one I saw wanted to immediatly use a cortisone shot- which in my case would have been treating the symptons and not the cause. Shoulders have so much stuff iside a tight space if something is imflammed or doesn't track right you will have pain It is too easy for Drs to say "rotator cuff tendonitis" This injury usually comes on over time, tendonitis is an over use injury. How did this come about? Did it gradually start to bother you? Do you lift regularly, a lot of benching and overhead work ? Shoulders are one of the most important body parts for a surfer - keep em strong and flexible Good luck JN
