Surfing with torn rotator's cuff

[IMinCA]

So apparently I have a torn rotator's cuff. It's a hairline tear, but it sucks! My right shoulder pops when I raise my arm and make paddling more difficult. I'm already a beginner as I am but not being able to paddle for a long period of time makes it difficult. I'm planning to have surgery on my shoulder, but I'm going to do it after the summer. Does anyone else have shoulder issues? How do you deal with it and surfing? How do you strengthen your shoulder?

[jaffa1949]

Get your avatar off the trapeze immediately.
See a specialist sports medicine doctor come surgeon, talk about the fact you surf and show the movements you need and have a review with a Physiotherapist, have specifically planned recovery program to develop a balanced muscle structure in the joint.
MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE PLAN!!!! Shoulder injuries are a bane of the surfing community.
See the topic on Pilates,Yoga, health surfing and that SW has on the site, as a retired Chiropractor I am happy to recommend this, as it address many of the issues my patients had from poor exercise habits.
http://www.surfing-waves.com/surf-fitness/breathe.htm They are by Ryan Huxley

It's the first of a series of Blogs

[IMinCA]

Lol! I'm in the circus on my spare time

Thanks for the link! I'll do some light reading at work tomorrow.

[jaffa1949]

Lol! I'm in the circus on my spare time

Thanks for the link! I'll do some light reading at work tomorrow.

You might need to develop a ground routine for the circus, it will take a while to get a stable and balanced strong shoulder for flying! I'm being serious here as any hanging work with force directed through the shoulder joint will be relying on the exact damaged area, may even have been the initial cause

[Jimi]

Yep, I'd be stopping anything that puts your arms above your head, and especially under any load! DO see a doctor with sports expertise - not necessarily surfing, as tennis, baseball and swimming have similar injuries.

Physios will give you exercises to rebuild strength, but seriously don't expect to be able to get back surfing in the immediate future. If you dislocate your shoulder, then you're in a much worse position for healing and repairs. A weak rotator cuff is much more likely to dislocate.

[IMinCA]

Bummer...I guess I'll be seeing my PT again. Thanks everyone.

[Jimi]

don't be too bummed about it. A tear is fixable - just be careful you don't make it worse.

Incidentally, who/how/where was the tear diagnosed?

[surf patrol]

See the topic on Pilates,Yoga, health surfing and that SW has on the site

Latest one here - http://www.surfing-waves.com/surf-fitness/breathe-2.htm

[IMinCA]

don't be too bummed about it. A tear is fixable - just be careful you don't make it worse.

Incidentally, who/how/where was the tear diagnosed?

I hope I haven't made it worse....(Jaffa, I know I know... I am off the trapeze ) I lift weights, yoga, running and pilates, but I don't do much weight lifting now. It didn't really bother me, I mean it still doesn't, it's just when I paddle, I can't go very long before my right shoulder become fatigue.

I had a MRI done when my shoulder started popping. My ortho said I have a torn rotator's cuff. He gave me some fancy term to it...ok I looked it up it says tear of the distal supraspinatus tendon.

I want to say it was from a car accident back in 2008, the impact was pretty hard (total loss on car, air bag and etc) and it's my right shoulder - where the seat belt doesn't cover.

[IMinCA]

Thanks Surf Patrol!

[Jimi]

have a read of this website - from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and explains the injury pretty well.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00064

Obviously it will depend on where you fit in the severity of your injury, but there are non-surgical options to explore before surgery. Also the earlier you get advice on treatment, the better your chances of good outcomes without doing further damage.

Hope this helps.