Standup Zone Forum
General => Training, Diet, and Fitness => Topic started by: blueplanetsurf on February 01, 2015, 11:01:42 PM
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As many here can attest, SUP can be hard on your shoulders and injuries can take a long time to recover from.
Here are a couple of videos where I talk about a shoulder injury I have been dealing with, what helped me recover, and how to avoid injury. The second video demonstrates some rotator cuff exercises that I find very helpful.
I hope this helps others recover more quickly and not have to go through the long learning process, I wish I had started these exercises much sooner and not wasted as much time with the many other things I tried. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, your injury might be different, so you should consult a doctor.
More on this blog post: http://blueplanetsurf.com/blogs/news/16968292-sup-shoulder-injury-dealing-with-injuries-and-what-helps
http://youtu.be/XHsBl3pJwPg
http://youtu.be/QAOkU4sqQo0
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Good exercises, pretty much what my PT has me doing.
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Thanks for posting those! I recently stepped down from a Molokai to a Wiki Ke Nalu and it's helping, but I need to do lots of shoulder work as well.
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I'm nursing my right one now too. Looks like bursitis. The exercises and stretching are helping. Thanks for these, I need to get my shoulders stronger overall and these seem really low impact if done carefully.
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Thanks Robert... I really appreciate that you take the time to make such good videos.
You cover stuff that is common to many of us and offer sound advice and technique. :)
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Thanks for the feedback. Surfcowboy, my doctor thinks my injury as Bursitis as well with possible rotator cuff damage and tendonitis. I found some good information on the injury here if you want to read up on it:
http://physioworks.com.au/injuries-conditions-1/bursitis_shoulder
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Yeah thanks Robert. Great info. We all need it.
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Discovering the joys of SUS, priceless. Having your shoulder go out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c70Ifp4EgVk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c70Ifp4EgVk)
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Rotator cuff type injuries and site of pain can vary. My pain was deep inside the socket where your clavicle meets with the shoulder joint. When the ortho doc suggested it was rotator cuff/impingement I was like no way, as the pain wasn't on the outside. But after 3 weeks of PT, the 2 year pain I had endured had already subsided substantially. I couldn't believe it.
Basically had me doing some of the exercises in the video and more with a weight which essentially encompasses using all the muscles of the shoulder. This helps bring blood flow to the area as well to heal.
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Bursitis sucks, had it in my hip for 3 years and it stopped my mediocre running career. Have only had tendonitis in my shoulders, thx for posting the vids
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Checking in here, almost 3 months later and I'm almost back to 100%.
It looks like it wasn't bursitis but more tendon related. Stretching got me back. Ugh, can't there just be a pill? ;)
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I have been using elastics for about a month and I can vouch they are especially good for the shoulders. If I am feeling pain, I can do a few bouts with the graduated stress from the elastics around the rotator cuff, and pain goes away. They are great preliminary prep for going out on the board along with a bit of yoga and stretching.
It must be difficult to get all those little fibers in the rotator cuffs to fire, and elastics seem to do it better than weights. The elastics seem to comb out the complete sheath of muscle fibers.
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This video explains why strengthening the rotator cuff muscles is so important:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBR4N95asKo
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Hey Robert, didn't get a chance to say ciao. Good job on the Olukai. That's an impressive finish. Especially for a non-Maui dude.
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Thank you Bill,
The Olukai was an epic race, I really enjoyed it once I got into the rhythm. The vibe was great and I was amazed by the international turnout, a lot of paddlers from Oahu as well. Battling it out to the finish with Mark Raaphorst, Kathy Shipman, Kaeo Abbey, Sonny Hoenscheid, Jimmy Fitt and a bunch of other really fast paddlers in good conditions was exciting for sure, I plan to be be back next year.
It was my first race in a long time without any shoulder issues or pain.
In the video above he explains how strengthening the rotator cuff muscles tightens and pulls down the shoulder joint which prevents impingement at the top and that makes a lot of sense to me, so I'm going to keep working out those rotator cuff muscles.
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got nasty bursitis years ago from over-practicing tennis serve, followed by hitting with a ball machine for an hour. The machine won. I was debilitated for months. Functional only after 2 months of rest, then 3 months of PT.
I can feel the pain slightly in connection with paddling, but the range of motion is very limited compared to big topspin tennis swing and serve. Havent played tennis since i trashed shoulder.
Shoulder injuries suck most when trying to sleep. any shift or movement in the night complicates the shoulder and wakes one with pain. i am very careful with mine--anything remotely like the bursitis i had would make paddling out of the question. I couldnt take my damn wallet out of my back pocket--carrying grocery bags was a non-starter.
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This video explains why strengthening the rotator cuff muscles is so important:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBR4N95asKo
Robert this was so enlightening! I essentially did not understand the principal behind the mechanics and exercises.
Rotator cuff type injuries and site of pain can vary. My pain was deep inside the socket where your clavicle meets with the shoulder joint. When the ortho doc suggested it was rotator cuff/impingement I was like no way, as the pain wasn't on the outside. But after 3 weeks of PT, the 2 year pain I had endured had already subsided substantially. I couldn't believe it.
Basically had me doing some of the exercises in the video and more with a weight which essentially encompasses using all the muscles of the shoulder. This helps bring blood flow to the area as well to heal.
Checking in here, almost 3 months later and I'm almost back to 100%.
It looks like it wasn't bursitis but more tendon related. Stretching got me back. Ugh, can't there just be a pill? ;)
got nasty bursitis years ago from over-practicing tennis serve, followed by hitting with a ball machine for an hour. The machine won. I was debilitated for months. Functional only after 2 months of rest, then 3 months of PT.
I can feel the pain slightly in connection with paddling, but the range of motion is very limited compared to big topspin tennis swing and serve. Havent played tennis since i trashed shoulder.
Shoulder injuries suck most when trying to sleep. any shift or movement in the night complicates the shoulder and wakes one with pain. i am very careful with mine--anything remotely like the bursitis i had would make paddling out of the question. I couldnt take my damn wallet out of my back pocket--carrying grocery bags was a non-starter.
Since this is such a complex joint and so elemental to what we do it is very encouraging to hear the different scenarios people have been through. Almost want to make a separate thread called "What's your shoulder story" but I don't like to fragment or derail, thread momentum such a delicate thing.
Again, Robert that last vid was great I'm going to watch more of his stuff, I know he cant say it but I bet he is talking about P90x. Right now I'm not a happy camper but "hope springs eternal" so you planted the seed of hope. Arigato amigo.
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When I was getting out of college, my Dad said to me: "I don't really have much advice for your career, you will be successful, BUT if I have one thing I want you to remember it is to exercise and stretch your shoulders EVERY DAY".
He had shoulder surgery around that time, and has been able to rehab since, but it stuck with me.
I sometimes let the shoulder work lapse, and pay for it. However, it is amazing how quickly you can rehab them with good solid work like shown above. 1 or 2 sessions and they are good again. I like the exercises shown, should get a band. I do more yoga, mobility, and bar work.
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Have found that stretching and yoga have helped mobility in my shoulders and hips a lot. Yoga is good in that it gets you to focus where and how to stretch. After doing yoga for 14 days in a row on a vacation realized that my stretching routine was lacking a lot. Now back home have been incorporating yoga poses and stretches and really like the benefits. Lucky too that my daughter helps out as she knows all the different poses which sorts out my very poor form. Will never get to be very flexible - but should help reduce injury.
Really like the fancy named savasana pose the most - which is basically lie flat on your back and chill. :)
http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/savasana.htm
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Thanks for posting this. My shoulder has been bugging me for months (but I bought a board anyway), so this will be helpful.
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Anyone here dealt with torn tendons without surgery and got back to the sport?
THe repair healing takes 6 months minimum I am told...hence my desire to avoid it
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Appreciate the interesting videos. Both my wife and I have shoulder issues and maybe these suggested
exercises will help.
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Been dealing with a sore shoulder this winter, think I tore it up last season paddling. Didn't get out as much as I usually do, so didn't have the conditioning, but paddled hard with big blades the few times I did get out. Been resting it and seeing a Chinese massage therapist, whom I'm afraid of, he's been cupping it and getting in super deep with the massage. Doesn't wake me up late night anymore. Next phase is to start strengthening it back up, and start looking for some smaller bladed paddles. Thanks for posting the videos, exactly what I needed.
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I've had a sore shoulder for a week. I jammed my right shoulder on the side of a door way a week ago. I think I've got a case of shoulder bursitis, but I really don't know for sure. This upcoming Monday morning I'm calling my orthopedic surgeon to make an appointment and see if he can pin down exactly what is wrong with my shoulder.
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I thought I tore some tendons a few years ago from over paddling. I went and saw an orthopedic surgeon and after an xray and physical tests he said it was shoulder bursitis. He sent me to therapy with some anti-inflamitories and after 6 weeks it wasn't much better. Went back to the orthopedic and he gave me a shot of cortisone and told me to let it rest for a few months to reduce the swelling. At that point, just reaching over head caused a lot of pain as well as reaching over the car seat to go in reverse. Not much fun.
It took just about a year of nothing to get back normal range of motion with no pain. No paddling, no workouts. Then slowly getting back into things, and now a few years later everything is back to normal. Paddling and working out regularly.
The exercises in the videos are some of the same ones I did in physical therapy, so I still keep doing those. And I also ended up getting a Kenalu xTuf shaft with the small Wiki Blade which really is easier on the shoulders.
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I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon this afternoon. The news was not so good. I saw the x-ray and I've got a bone spur in the rjght AC joint. My surgeon thinks I might also have a small tear in my rotator cuff. So on March 3rd, I've got an MRI scheduled to actually know if I have a small tear or not.
Ah! The gifts of getting old. ;)
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The good news (not) is that is if you need surgery on your AC joint, it is one of the most painful surgeries that you can imagine. Those spurs or rough bones between the acrimoniom and the clavicle are fixed usually by a resection of the clavicle, which is chopping off about a half inch off the clavicle then letting scar tissue fill in the gap. It's lovely, I have had both sides done. The surgery is very effective though, once your get about 3-4 days into it you'll be off the oxycontin. They repaired some big tears in my rotator cuff, labrum, and biceps tendon at the same time, although somewhat inconveniently that requires more incisions, with the arthroscope. The ac joint is a full ax chop looking incision. It all worked for me, and hopefully it will for you too, if you need it. I have had both sides done. Swim at least 2000 yards a day with no pain. Plus paddling.
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Not necessarily a resection if the spurs are small. I've had several removed in various shoulder surgery, more just a matter of scraping them off.
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The good news (not) is that is if you need surgery on your AC joint, it is one of the most painful surgeries that you can imagine.
I had a large bone spur removed in my left shoulder AC joint. After the surgery, it wasn't too painful for me. Of course, I had hydrocodone to "snack on". ;) The surgery was done on a Wednesday morning and I was in physical therapy two days later (Friday). I did physical therapy for 3 weeks which was on a 3 times per week schedule. I was supposed to be in PT for 3 months, but I did a lot of PT at my home 3 times a week which is why I didn't need to PT for 3 months at the Sports Medicine complex. I'm an outdoor person and I wanted "get on with my outdoor life" I cherish. I rehabbed my left shoulder at my home for the next 11 months, every week, 3 times a week in one hour sessions.
I worry more about the tear, if there is one, in my rotator in my right shoulder. This is why my surgeon is having me take an MRI to see if there is or there isn't a tear. Of course, I'm hoping there is no tear at all.
I picked up my prescription for Lodine and something called a Dose Pack. I take the Lodine first for a week and then the Doe Pack after I finish the Lodine.
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I've had 3 shoulder surgeries over the past 10 years. One was to remove a bone spur; the other two were subacromial decompressions. For my shoulders along with a shit storm of other injuries (the list is way too long for my age), I've tried all sort of treatments: massage, physio, chiro, active release therapy, acupuncture, IMS, etc. All of them have a place and I continue to use them when needed. One therapy that might not be as well known out there (although maybe it is) is trigger-point injection therapy (TPI). It's a bit like IMS or acupuncture, but is a little different. In Canada it is performed by doctors as opposed to physiotherapists or other health care professionals. It's not a poke, relax and wait treatment like acupuncture and more resembles IMS. They tend to poke you more in TPI than IMS and really look release bunched up muscle/nerves/fascia. When they hit a tight point that releases, it is crazy! The muscle grabs the needle before a mini-earthquake/explosion goes off in the muscle area as the muscle releases.
Here's a little blurb on it:
Trigger-Point Injection (TPI) therapy is a long-established medical procedure used to treat muscular and fascial (myofascial) pain. Put simply, fascia is a thin layer of tissue found just underneath the skin of the whole human body. It is rich in nerves and can contribute to pain in numerous medical conditions.
The process of TPI therapy involves the insertion of a small hypodermic needle into trigger-points (areas of contracted muscle fibres which are identifiable as painful bands/nodules on clinical examination). A very small amount of local anaesthetic is injected when the needle is inserted. The combination of the needle insertion and local anaesthetic can help relax these abnormally contracted strands of muscle, relieving pain and restoring normal muscle function/range of motion.
I've found TPI to be quite helpful with recovery. It really loosens things up and helps with the process of increasing flexibility and reducing pain to allow you to get on with the strengthening component of recovery. The treatment is used for all sorts of injury recoveries, but they say it is especially helpful for shoulder injury and surgery recovery.
Oh, I also think recovery is aided by lots of sex (I tell my wife that), Guinness (I tell my friends that), and pizza/movie nights (I tell my kids that...though they don't need much convincing).
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I picked up my prescription for Lodine and something called a Dose Pack. I take the Lodine first for a week and then the Doe Pack after I finish the Lodine.
Actually I had it reversed. I have to take the Dose Pack first, then take the Lodine.
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Oh, I also think recovery is aided by lots of sex (I tell my wife that), Guinness (I tell my friends that), and pizza/movie nights (I tell my kids that...though they don't need much convincing).
SGPM therapy. A well understood beneficial approach. Just be careful how and where you combine the elements. Guinness is fine with pizza but sex at the movies...
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The imaging center called at 5:30pm Thursday night and told me my MRI on my right shoulder is scheduled for today (3-3-17), Friday at 7:00pm in the evening and to be there by 6:30pm to fill out out the paperwork before the procedure.
The Dose Pack worked pretty good and I'm now on Lodine (500 mg tablet) twice a day. But, every now and then when I move my arm behind me horizontally and even when I raise my arm over my head, I get an achy feeling, then a slight burning sensation in my shoulder joint followed by a "pins and needles" feeling running from my shoulder down my arm to the base of my hand. The feeling only lasts for a few seconds, but the burning achy feeling lasts for about 10 minutes and then goes away........until next time.
I had this feeling before I started taking the Dose Pack and this feeling has persisted since I've been taking Lodine for the last 8 days. The x-ray of the shoulder has shown a small bone spur in the AC joint and my orthopedic surgeon thinks the small bone spur has torn my rotator cuff and this is why I'm having the MRI done.
I'm hoping the rotator isn't torn and the bone spur is instead rubbing against a tendon thereby inflaming the tendon in the joint. My surgeon will look at the results of the MRI next week and then his office will call me and give me some options.
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Good luck NW!
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Hope things go well TankerBoy!
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Well I'm back home. They also did a cervical scan so the cervical scan plus the shoulder scan took 30 minutes total. The results will be known next week and I'm hoping my guess is right and my surgeon's is wrong.
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Well I'm back home. They also did a cervical scan so the cervical scan plus the shoulder scan took 30 minutes total. The results will be known next week and I'm hoping my guess is right and my surgeon's is wrong.
Good luck Nightwing! I am hoping your guess is right too! Having had right shoulder pains this last 6 months, I'm following your story closely.
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I dislocated and tore the cuff at 56 after a fall from height.
They definitely wanted to operate.
I figured that's 6 weeks of rehab minimum, blew off the surgery, and put my effort at the rehab....But I DID it.
stretching, light weights, constant ROM, and eventually swimming
What really helped tho was a good myofascial release massage person who broke the last of the scar down
it was touch and go for about 5 months but i am quite happy...have to stay on it, along with the rest of me...that was 2 years ago...
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I'm hoping my guess is right because if it is a small bone spur rubbing the ligament, the spur will have to be removed. Healing time wise, I'll heal faster with a spur removal than if the rotator has to be repaired.
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Good luck for your shoulder.
I’m here [paddling] because of a shoulder injury. I took up paddling to rebuild strength and mobility in my shoulder following a bad accident.
I smashed my shoulder into 17 pieces bailing off a bolting horse in Africa. Was planing for a shoulder roll but landed in a kind of pit instead. Whoops. Can’t remember how many ribs I broke too. 8 I think. Was flat out on my back in africa for a while. [long story]
It took about 6 months before I could raise my right arm enough to hold a car steering wheel. Even just 1/2 way up the steering wheel. Could barely shift gears. About a year before I could lift my arm up but i seemed to get blocked at only 90% of range. Thought I’d never get that back and kind of got used to it.
So I took up paddling (2007) as a low impact way to strengthen my shoulders. I was careful to do it right. So I never had stress issues. Learned mostly by watching the best guys carefully. Took my first lesson only a couple of years ago (with a top 5 racer).
Anyway. The good news is my shoulders are really good now and I have 100% mobility. Paddling has been great. Hope it can help for your condition too.
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My surgeon's PA called me just after 5pm with the results of my MRI. I lost my bet with my surgeon. My rotator cuff has a one centimeter length tear in it. The PA said he will discuss my MRI results with my orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and he will call me somewhere between 1pm and 5pm and let me know what my options are.
The only option I'm interested in is having the surgery to repair the tear and this is what my comments will be to my surgeon when I see him next and this is what I told the PA to relay my comments to my surgeon.
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My advice Night Wing, would be to listen first, then decide. Who knows, you might have some options that have not been discussed before.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
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Since I'm not fond of metric measurements, I had to get on my computer to see what centimeters is in the equivalent to in inches. One (1) centimeter is equal to 0.393701 of an inch. In other words, it's over a third of an inch. Or is it almost four tenths of an inch. Whatever, that is quite a tear.
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The OPA called me late this afternoon and confirmed I will be having major right shoulder surgery on March 29th. After going over my my MRI with a fine tooth comb, the tear is three quarters through my rotator.
I have to have all my blood work, EKG, chest x-ray and any other tests done before I see my OS on March 23rd where he will explain to me what will be done, how it will be done and whatever else the surgeon finds in that shoulder that needs repairing.
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the tear comes from a bone spur?
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D'oh, that doesn't sound like fun. Maybe get one more looksie before letting them cut you? Whatever happens good luck with the shoulder!
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@johnysmoke
A second look isn't going to change things. The MRI clearly shows a one centimeter tear. Since I'm a small framed guy, this is three-quarters through my rotator. I have to "baby" this arm until March 29th so it doesn't tear completely through. If it does tear completely through, then I'm going to have a really BIG problem.
The reason my surgery is scheduled at the end of the this month is because of Spring Break in my area. Some school districts have this upcoming week off for SB while other school districts have the following week off for SB. Many adults have their surgeries already scheduled for this time of the year because they can take sick leave from their work and be home with their children. My surgeon is booked solid for this time period.
I'm not in a lot of pain. Just an achy feeling in my right shoulder joint combined with my right arm feeling "weak" with a pins and needles feeling a few times a day when I've been using my arm too much. I keep my right arm in a sling to minimize me using my right arm. But I can't keep my arm in a sling all day. There are times I have to use my arm, like typing on my four computers to keep them updated and also driving.
I haven't taken any of the 30 hydrocodone tablets my surgeon prescribed for me. Right now, if the shoulder gets too achy, I just drink 3 ounces of George Dickel #8 Tennessee sour mash whiskey in a glass with 4 ice cubes. This doesn't make the shoulder feel any better, but it makes me sleepy where I can go to bed for a while, take a nap and when I awake, the shoulder joint doesn't feel as achy as before since I'm not using my arm when I've been sleeping for a few hours. I'm keeping the hydrocodone in reserve so to speak for after my surgery when I think I'm really going to need it
My orthopedic surgeon worked on my left shoulder 15 years ago and I've never had any problems with that left shoulder since that time so "I don't mind waiting my turn for him" for my right shoulder.
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Sounds like you've done your due diligence, good thing you caught it before it tore all the way through. Good luck with the surgery and recovery.
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This is what a tear can look like. Be careful with the rehab. Others that have shoulder problems should probs reduce use right away. SUP overuse can exacerbate and inflame this area very quickly. Hopefully your surgery will go well. At least you know your surgeon.
Know a few peeps that have recovered from this -> as well as many with knee and hip replacements. Seems to be much more prevalent as we age. One guy we know was told by his surgeon that he may have to re-break his knee replacement because he cannot bend his leg even 70 degrees. He is major pissed about that.
The exercises shown in the vids are good. Plus stretching and yoga help your range of motion. Moderation is always good as we progress in old age.
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Moderation is always good as we progress in old age.
My wife might tell you I could learn something from this ;)
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Hi QB - yeah am always telling myself to back off -> but it is very hard to do sometimes. Seems as long as there is no pain or soreness it is ok to push the envelope a bit. Cheers. ;)
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@Eagle
The smaller illustration picture you posted, that is what my tear looks like.
Since the surgery (29th of March) is on a Wednesday, I'm pretty sure my OS will have me in physical therapy two days later (Friday) since this is what I had to do when my left shoulder was operated on 15 years ago.
If this follows like it did with my left shoulder, I will ask my physical therapist if I can use my sup for "very leisurely flat water cruising" since sup surfing isn't going to happen for a long time. Of course, with a big cut on my right shoulder, until that wound heals over, I know they won't go for any type of water activity (lake or pond) because of the danger of flesh eating bacteria entering the cut.
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Hi NW - Ok -> you should be fine. When the tear pulls from the bone structure -> that involves a bit more time and rehab.
Had only some internal dissolvable sutures a few years back and kinda remember was back paddling like after just a few days or something silly like that. Completely the wrong risk -> but was suffering from withdrawal. Haha. Did not fall in the ocean and everything healed up perfect. Can barely see the 2" long incision now. Think I put some plastic over it and taped it up tight.
But since you know what worked for you last time -> you should recover provided no infection or complications. The PT is key to follow up on as you know. The gent that needs his knee re-done was a bad patient according to his wife. :o
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@Eagle
The smaller illustration picture you posted, that is what my tear looks like.
Since the surgery (29th of March) is on a Wednesday, I'm pretty sure my OS will have me in physical therapy two days later (Friday) since this is what I had to do when my left shoulder was operated on 15 years ago.
If this follows like it did with my left shoulder, I will ask my physical therapist if I can use my sup for "very leisurely flat water cruising" since sup surfing isn't going to happen for a long time. Of course, with a big cut on my right shoulder, until that wound heals over, I know they won't go for any type of water activity (lake or pond) because of the danger of flesh eating bacteria entering the cut.
New skin liquid bandage.
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@Eagle
The smaller illustration picture you posted, that is what my tear looks like.
Since the surgery (29th of March) is on a Wednesday, I'm pretty sure my OS will have me in physical therapy two days later (Friday) since this is what I had to do when my left shoulder was operated on 15 years ago.
If this follows like it did with my left shoulder, I will ask my physical therapist if I can use my sup for "very leisurely flat water cruising" since sup surfing isn't going to happen for a long time. Of course, with a big cut on my right shoulder, until that wound heals over, I know they won't go for any type of water activity (lake or pond) because of the danger of flesh eating bacteria entering the cut.
New skin liquid bandage.
I'll ask my OS if he'll go for the new skin liquid bandage for me. But since he started his practice in 1985, he's old school so I won't be counting on getting his approval.
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There are four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, and your recovery time and the stuff you can do depends on which ones you have torn and how they are repaired. I've had more than my fair share of shoulder surgeries, with injuries that go back to my motorcycle racing days, though most of the actual rotator cuff stuff stems from rollerblade hockey.
The most common tear, and most likely since you identified with the smaller picture is a supraspinatus tear, the muscle on the top of the cuff. If you've torn this in the belly, or more than halfway through anywhere, you won't be paddling for quite some time. Probably six months. At least you won't if you listen to your doc and PT and don't screw up and need surgery again soon. Lifting your blade, lifting your board onto and off your car, and pressing down on your paddle can easily tear the healing muscle back apart. Then you're back to square one.
DON'T screw this up. I've done it, I don't recommend it. Your doc won't be happy about doing it all again--and you won't be either.
Take time to heal, listen to your doc, and if your PT pushes you too hard, too early, and you feel burning pain as opposed to just tired pain, push back or get a new PT. You need to do the exercises longer than you think, and longer than your insurance will let your PT work with you. Keep doing them until you feel your strength is back to normal--that will be about a year. The basic rotator cuff exercises are a good preventative exercise--I do them once or twice a week, more than a year after my last surgery. On both sides.
And listen to your doc and his PA about wound care. You probably shouldn't get it wet for a week or more. And no, don't use liquid bandage. It has some vicious solvents in it that shouldn't be on a deep incision. 3M Tagaderm is clear, flexible, waterproof and stout. the Nexcare stuff is almost as good but it's thinner. Use a thin gauze pad under it so you can see if it's leaked. There's no way to tell whether or not liquid bandage has failed. Your first indication might be when you rush to the ER for a galloping infection. Been there, done that, nearly died. The best recco--wait. Not just for going in skanky water but for getting it wet in a shower. Remember that after you get the stitches out, that the stitch holes need to heal closed.
My most recent surgeries were arthroscopic. That's better from a wound standpoint but requires a lot more experience on the surgeon's part to get a good result. I had a great result, but my doc was one of the best in the world. I was lucky to have him, and from what I understand, lucky that he liked me and didn't pass me off to students when the surgery got long. What was supposed to be a 1.5 hour surgery turned out to be almost 4 hours. Everything was screwed. He said I was fortunate my arm didn't fall off. I assume that was a surgeon joke, but it was a mess.
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Dang it pb, now you're making me think I need to drag my sorry ass to the real doctor.
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This is what a liquid bandage brand says ->
Do not use
Over sutures
My incision had nothing to do with the shoulder or rotator cuff area. But think that it would be advisable not to SUP for a while. Paddling etc will really stress those sutures and possibly cause delays in proper healing. Think was told not to get my wound wet for 10-14 days or something like that. So would def check with your doc and PT first. ;)
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Liquid bandage isn't a thing that a surgeon is going to use. It's just a minor first aid measure, and I wasn't suggesting that you'd use it in the early stages of recovery from surgery. The product clearly states to not use it on deep wounds - and it damn well hurts if you do. What I was suggesting was that you can apply it over a wound that has largely healed in order to protect the scab and provide some waterproofing. You could also use the expensive waterproof dressings like Compeed do. I use both, just to be safe, and they have allowed me to get back in the water a little earlier than I would otherwise. But of course there is a risk for doing anything, so that has to be your call. Moreover, I live in a cool climate and we don't have many bugs here. Visting hotter climates, I was amazed in places like Hawaii and Bali at how quickly broken skin became infected, so I tend to now apply liquid bandage liberally to anything even resembling a break in the skin every time I go out, if I go to tropical climates and it seems to have worked well. But if I'd just had surgery I'd just do exactly what the docs told me to do, and no more or less. Very few patients actually do what they are told to do, and so end up enduring much more misery than they would otherwise.
You guys in the US are much more likely to get surgery for these kinds of injuries. Interesting.
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Okay, that's better A10. And yes, we do. I've talked to euro guys that are soldiering through what are clearly major supraspinatus tears without surgery.
They will never be the same.
Period, end of story. If they have ZERO strength laterally, and they don't have surgery, they will never have lateral strength.
t's a small muscle. Once you tear it, the wound gapes. It won't heal across it no matter how many acupuncture needles you stick in, or how much PT or platelet therapy you do. It's like fixing a broken bridge by repaving the road. Not gonna work. This is known (game of thrones reference). It has to be sewn together, and that has to happen before the edges turn to leather.
My last surgery was severed. retracted, and turned into a ball of fat and calcium supraspinatus, belly tear subscapularis, belly tear infraspinatus, severed long biceps tendon, and a joint full of calcium spurs. I've seen the before and after MRIs. I now have a shoulder. the supraspinatus will never be strong--too far gone. But everything else is aces. My weak shoulder is now my strong shoulder.
It's the difference between good and great.
In the meantime, the rest of me is coming apart like a cheap suit. But that's what 70 is all about when you beat the shit out of your body for 40 years.
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@PonoBill
Thanks for your comments. Since my surgery is scheduled for March 29th, I'll know "how things went surgery wise" after I wake up in the recovery room and what to expect when my OS sees me for my post follow up appointment in April.
I'm a good patient. If my OS says I can't paddle for 6-9 months, then I won't. This is the long and short of it. I'll just cry in my whiskey if I get this bit of extremely bad news.
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Make sure you ask for complete instructions. It's surprising how often some really important information gets forgotten. You need to know how soon you can take a shower, how soon you can take your arm out of the sling.. You should ask for advice on how to know you are pushing too hard. Most patients don't push at all. Doctors and PAs are used to having to encourage people to move--they don't get many people that want to work through any pain at all. They all know the standards of care, it's not that they can't tell you the right stuff, it's mostly that they don't bump up against people who are crazy to get back to serious exercise.
I showered before I should have after rotator cuff surgery about 15 years ago. Three days later I was back in the hospital with a major infection. Five surgeries to take out all the infected tissue and all the work the doctor had done. Two weeks later I left the hospital wearing a pump that pushed heavy duty antibiotics into a pic line that led to my aorta. I got to wear it for five weeks, becoming incoherent when the pump ran.
So yeah, my advice is--be careful, ask questions, be conservative, do what the doc tells you, and watch for any signs of infection. Redness beyond the surgical site, increasing pain, fever, hotness in the area. If you think you might have a problem, don't hesitate to see your doctor.
I gave Mark Raaphorst this advice when he had a severed long biceps tendon repaired. I think it might have saved his life when he got a serious infection. that might be too dramatic, but I wish I had known what to expect, my infection might have been caugt early, or might not have happend at all.
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This is what a tear can look like. Be careful with the rehab. Others that have shoulder problems should probs reduce use right away. SUP overuse can exacerbate and inflame this area very quickly. Hopefully your surgery will go well. At least you know your surgeon.
Know a few peeps that have recovered from this -> as well as many with knee and hip replacements. Seems to be much more prevalent as we age. One guy we know was told by his surgeon that he may have to re-break his knee replacement because he cannot bend his leg even 70 degrees. He is major pissed about that.
The exercises shown in the vids are good. Plus stretching and yoga help your range of motion. Moderation is always good as we progress in old age.
These pics bum me out. Not sure I want to see what it looks like. Do they do necks?
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@headmount
My orthopedic surgeon; besides doing shoulder surgery, specializes in joint replacement, spine (which includes necks), hand, wrist, elbows and foot & ankle. Basically; you name it, he repairs it.
If you're having neck issues, just do some research like I did 15 years ago (2002) and you'll find a good one. How I found mine; since professional football is a violent sport with lots of injuries to players bodies, I called (at that time) the NFL Houston Texans PR department to find out what orthopedic physicians the Texans used surgery wise to treat their professional football players since these players have million dollar contracts so I knew the Texans would have very good surgeons. My orthopedic surgeon's name came up during my phone call conversation and since his practice is located 25 miles from me, I called his office, found out he took my medical insurance and I made an appointment to see what he could do with my left shoulder at that time in 2002. Fast forward to today in 2017, now he is going to operate on my right shoulder since he still takes my same medical insurance.
BTW, my orthopedic surgeon, his sports medicine training was performed with the Houston Oilers physicians before the Oilers majority owner (the late Bud Adams) moved the Oilers to Tennessee in 1997 and were renamed the Tennessee Titans. Of course, since Houston is a large city population wise with a large TV market area for sports, Houston did get another NFL franchise in 2002 and they are now named the Houston Texans. I'm just lucky he never moved his practice to Tennessee.
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this simple exercise is great for shoulder injuries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfJA9da0EBY
it works for me!
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I've done some similar exercises and have heard them referred to "flossing the shoulder".
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@headmount
My orthopedic surgeon; besides doing shoulder surgery, specializes in joint replacement, spine (which includes necks), hand, wrist, elbows and foot & ankle. Basically; you name it, he repairs it.
If you're having neck issues, just do some research like I did 15 years ago (2002) and you'll find a good one. How I found mine; since professional football is a violent sport with lots of injuries to players bodies, I called (at that time) the NFL Houston Texans PR department to find out what orthopedic physicians the Texans used surgery wise to treat their professional football players since these players have million dollar contracts so I knew the Texans would have very good surgeons. My orthopedic surgeon's name came up during my phone call conversation and since his practice is located 25 miles from me, I called his office, found out he took my medical insurance and I made an appointment to see what he could do with my left shoulder at that time in 2002. Fast forward to today in 2017, now he is going to operate on my right shoulder since he still takes my same medical insurance.
BTW, my orthopedic surgeon, his sports medicine training was performed with the Houston Oilers physicians before the Oilers majority owner (the late Bud Adams) moved the Oilers to Tennessee in 1997 and were renamed the Tennessee Titans. Of course, since Houston is a large city population wise with a large TV market area for sports, Houston did get another NFL franchise in 2002 and they are now named the Houston Texans. I'm just lucky he never moved his practice to Tennessee.
Great point and tip. Thanks
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Good for you. When it comes to something hugely complex, like a shoulder joint, you want the best surgeon you can find.
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Good for you. When it comes to something hugely complex, like a shoulder joint, you want the best surgeon you can find.
How can you use 'hugely' with a straight face?
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Hugely is still fine, it's yougely that's been damaged.
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Once my surgeon opens up my right shoulder and repairs the rotator tear; since I know my surgeon well, I know he'll also look at everything in the there and if anything else needs repairing, he'll repair it then too.
I'm also sure he'll instruct my physical therapist on what therapy exercises he'll want me to do. I'm hoping my physical therapist I had 15 years ago is still in business and if so, I'll be going to him for my right shoulder recovery therapy.
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I know a lot of swimmers who've had to have rotator cuff surgery after years of crawl stroke, especially if their technique is off. The most recent was a guy on my team who was already getting prepped at the hospital, when his surgeon had to cancel at the last second due to illness. They told him the good news was they had a doctor who could fill in, although he was now a gynecologist, and hadn't done any recent shoulder operations. Since he was already prepped, my friend decided to go ahead, although he had some trepidation. Later I asked him how it went, and he said not only did the doctor do a fantastic job, he didn't even leave an incision scar, because he did the whole surgery through his ear canal.
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Ok, you got both hands in? Now clap.
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I did all my pre-op lab work earlier this morning (blood work, EKG, blood pressure, height, weight, etc). Everything looked good so my GP faxed all the results to my OS.
My surgery is set two weeks from today (29th). I see my OS once more on the 23rd and he'll go over my lab results and then get down to the nitty gritty and explain in detail how the surgery will go.
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Saw my orthopedic surgeon this morning at my 10:00 am appointment time. Went over the entire procedure and I went with the long cut (open surgery) instead of arthroscopic surgery. This way my surgeon can see the entire joint. My MRI showed a tear which is three quarters through the rotator. The tear is not where it is attached to the bone so that is a bit of good news. My bone x-ray showed the tear was caused by a hooked bone spur at the end of my clavicle which started the tear and once the tear started tearing, it just kept tearing to where it is now.
So the spur will be shaved off and the rotator will be repaired. I did ask about using my sup for leisurely flat water cruising and was told that would be okay around June 1st. I then asked about sup surfing waves and my surgeon said "maybe" by August 1st,but no guarantee for that date. I'm "guessing" he will want to see me during the last week of July and check the shoulder out with various exercises to see whether the shoulder can handle this type of activity.
My surgery is scheduled for (Wednesday) March 29th. I have to be at the surgery center by 7:00 am and my surgery is schedule to start at 8:30 am. I will be leaving the surgery center with my right arm in some sort of sling. Today my surgeon wrote a prescription (to be taken after surgery) for 3 medications and I will pick them up tonight after 6:00 pm at my local pharmacy.
Looks like I'm all set.
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Good luck !
I am another person with a undiagnosed possible tear waiting to hear how it goes . Still doing the PT / exercise route hoping it heals up . Started in my right shoulder and healed up but my left is almost a year out with the pain .
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My surgeon told me a tear this long, there is no amount of exercise that will heal this up because the bone spur caused the tear in the first place "so the bone spur has got to go". Surgery is the only way since left un-repaired, the tear will eventually tear all the way through my rotator.
On another note, just after lunch the Physical Therapy department called me and my first session of PT is scheduled for Friday, March 31st (two days after surgery) and the first session is going to last one hour. I don't have a time yet but I'm hoping for the 10:00 am time slot. And as an added bonus, the physical therapist who worked with me on my left shoulder 15 years ago, he will working with me again on my right shoulder.
I already know what he will expect from me in PT and he already knows I'll give him what he expects from me in PT. The last time I was with him was 15 years ago. I did 3 months of PT work in 3 weeks of time. My plan is to do the exact same thing this time around. I'll see if the last 15 years has slowed me down any. My primary goal is to be taking my sup on it's first leisurely flat water cruise of 2017 on June 1st. My secondary goal is to be sup surfing on August 1st........or before. ;)
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I've had three shoulder surgeries--two subacromial decompressions and one bone spur removal. The spur removal was by far the easiest recovery (though I didn't have a long tear i my rotator to deal with).
Good luck with the surgery and recovery.
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Today is the day for me. I'm up early. Will be leaving for the sports medicine surgery center in an hour from now. Surgery on me is scheduled for 8:30 am this morning. It is out patient surgery and if everything goes according to plan, I should be home by high noon with my right arm in a sling.
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Good luck for today. Let us know how it goes.
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Sounds like you're in good hands. You can always come here to dump any frustrations or pain stories in the coming months. For sure some of the sharp zoners will be able to get you smiling.
And maybe this september a tanker wake surf session could be on.
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Wishing you a speedy recovery NW!
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Returned home at 11:45 am this morning.
The procedure encountered no problems. The tear was more severe since my MRI was done on March 3rd. Instead of a 75% tear, it was now at 90%. Before the surgery, they gave me a nerve block so my entire right arm, wrist, hand and fingers are totally numb right now. This numbness is supposed to last between 10 to 16 hours. The block is to kill the pain because the first 24 hours after this type of surgery is very painful so this is why the block was used.
When the block wears off, I've got lots of hydrocodone tablets. I should be able to use my right arm without the sling too. And I've got 8 cephalexin antibiotic tablets.
BTW, I'm typing this post with my left hand using only my left index finger and it is taking me a long time to type this post. About 30 minutes.
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Glad to hear it went well.
Those nerve blocks are gold! I had my first without it and my second two with it. Definitely feels really weird not feeling your arm, but it really helps that first day. Keep on top of those pain killers for the first while! ...not just to stay comfortable in the short term, but they'll help reduce the number of pathways that develop to transmit the pain--good for the medium and maybe even long term.
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My surgeon's nurse called me at 6:00 pm this evening and told me the nerve block given to me should last for 24 hours and then start to wear off. At bedtime tonight, she wants me to take one hydrocodone tablet when I go to sleep tonight just in case the nerve block starts to wear off earlier than expected. I will take one hydrocodone tablet when I wake up in the morning also.
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Narcotic meds give me some pretty freaky dreams, so sleep well!
Mind you, they make me feel generally unwell as well, and rather snappish, so maybe I'm just not very tolerant of them.
99% of the world's use of hydrocodone happens in the US, I'm told. You get all the good stuff over there.
Hope you normally sleep on your back. Usually much easier with neck or shoulder injuries.
I had a cervical radiculopathy a while back. Excruciating pain. The only relief I could get was sitting up with my arm above my head. I was going shopping, walking around with my hand over my head, with people staring at me :) I hardly slept at all for the first 2 weeks. I was starting to go a bit nuts from the sleep deprivation. It seemed like the pain was never going to stop. But it did pass eventually, and the narcotics did provide a bit of relief, even if I did find myself saving them for only the very worst times.
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At bedtime tonight, she wants me to take one hydrocodone tablet when I go to sleep tonight just in case the nerve block starts to wear off earlier than expected. I will take one hydrocodone tablet when I wake up in the morning also.
Tip: if you are popping hydrocodone over the next week or so, go grab a big container of prune juice!
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@surfafrica
Everyone's system is different. Hydrocodone does not give me constipation.
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Don't worry about it too much. It's useful to stay a bit ahead of the pain, but wean yourself as soon as you can. I've had multiple shoulder surgeries, both sides. I generally only take the narcotics for a day or two after the nerve block goes away. Open surgery is more painful, but not intolerable. Relax, watch some movies. I generally find once I'm off the narcotics that basic OTC pain meds and a glass of scotch are equally useful. You'll have a little higher level of baseline pain, but nothing an active person can't handle. I think the heavy meds are for cubicle weenies. If you're used to pushing your body, a little convalescent pain is in the ballpark of normal. You can choose between feeling seriously fuzzy but less pain, or knowing where your feet are with a little bit more discomfort. I like to keep track of my appendages, but YMMV.
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Good to hear you are back home now Nightwing after the surgery. Looking forward to hearing how the rehab goes. I've always found a good PT to be my most important person in any successful rehab
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@PonoBill
Well, I'm up early. Just can't get comfortable enough to stay asleep while wearing my sling since I was instructed to do. I'll go back to bed and most likely cat nap the rest of the night away. I get to quit wearing the sling at 9:30 am this morning. That is around 7 hours from now.
I'm not a scotch man. I'm a George Dickel #8 Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey man. ;)
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@Off-Shore
My first PT session is schedule for tomorrow (March 31st) at 10:00 am in the morning. The session is going to last 1 hour in length. If things go as planned, I'll probably go to PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for at least a month with the same time slot.
When I had left shoulder surgery to remove just a bone spur in my left AC joint 15 years ago, I had the same schedule and I went to PT for 3 weeks and was released.
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Sounds like you are getting good care (no wonder US healthcare is so expensive - the level of care you are getting is far beyond what you'd get from a (free) European national health service) and that this isn't your first rodeo, so you know how important it is to do everything right. And you've got a great attitude. So there's three really good indicators for a great recovery. Hope the PT goes well.
That first paddle session after you've recovered is going to feel very sweet indeed.
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Yes A 10, that's the upside that so many of us would fear loosing in a universal health care system for sure.
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My right arm is out of the sling. And the nerve block has completely worn off which means my right shoulder is extremely SORE! I just took two more hydrocodone tablets and I'll take two more four hours from now.
One nice thing though, I'm now typing on the keyboard using both hands (and all of my ten fingers) and I can move my mouse with my right hand. Even though my shoulder is very sore, life is good again. :)
For any lurkers on here reading this topic thread, if you ever have to have rotator cuff surgery, take the nerve block when it is offered to you. If I would have declined the nerve block, an hour after surgery, I know I would have been in tears from the pain. The nerve block just isn't the right move, it is the SMART move.
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Today was my first PT session and I did lots of range motion exercises. I was sore when I started, then not as sore at the end of the one hour session. But I'm sore right now. Looking forward to my two hydrocodone tablets tonight at bedtime.
Then on Saturday, I'll have to repeat the exact same range of motion exercises at my home for one hour.
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Sounds like you're beginning to make headway NW!
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I'm making headway, but it is coming at a price. Although I've got much better range of motion today, those exercises I did yesterday, my bicep muscle is all black and blue colored this morning. And I'll have to do those same exercises sometime today. Have to build up my courage "first" though. ;)
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It's surprising how quickly they have you moving. I don't know which muscle you tore. My last surgery was for multiple muscles, two of them completely detached (Supraspinatus, long biceps tendon) and several at 50% (Infraspinatus, Subscapularis) and one minor tear (Teres Minor) as well as some spurs and splinters in the joint capsule. I was in the sling for a week, and only out of it for PT assisted movement for two or three weeks.
Sounds like you'll be back to normal pretty quickly.
Minor tear in a Teres Minor sounds like some sort of palindrome.
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I really liked the cryo cuff they gave me to keep the swelling and pain down, especially at night. Went thru a few bags of ice the first days after surgery, even used it after the first pt sessions. Had the spur/ decompression surgery last July. Getting a ski and adjustable paddle helped the most, as it was easier on the shoulder and allowed me to shorten it on the fly when it became uncomfortable. The shock of the catch of my Konihi 84 was too much. Built strength with the Ski, then used Mana 82 on SUP to get back in groove. Now I'm paddling longer distances than before surgery, but have to rotate between ski and sup. Good luck and stay optimistic, not paddling for a few months was the most depressed I've been since high school!
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I'm only doing 10 exercises right now. There are more planned, but my PT said the first 3 days after shoulder surgery is the worst since the pain level is way up there. Because of the pain, the natural instinct is to avoid doing the exercises, but my PT said he DOESN'T want the muscles and tendons in the shoulder joint to take a permanent set the wrong way. It take me about 45 minutes to all all the 10 exercises along with all the reps for each. I am a little bit more limber after doing the exercises.
Sleeping is the tough part for me. I'm a side sleeper who likes to sleep on my right side. To keep me from doing this, I have two big long pillows which lay right next to the right side of my body from head to toes. If I try to roll on my right side, the pillows prevent that, but this wakes me up at night. So I'm up and down at least 3 times a night.
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WooHoo! Today is a good day. 8)
I just got back from my follow-up surgery appointment. My OS was very happy with the results from the reports he was reading concerning my physical therapy work. The shoulder, 13 days after surgery, has 180 degrees range of motion.
And he took out my seven metal staples. BTW, two staples, the ones on each end of the long cut, they didn't want to come out. Some of my skin started to cover them up. But all is well now. And as an added bonus, I can totally immerse the shoulder under water in a tub full of hot water 48 hours from now.
Tomorrow in PT, my physical therapist will have me start doing strengthening exercises on the right shoulder.
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Today was my 12th and final session of PT. Even though my sessions were supposed to be 60 minutes long, I always came about a half hour early and the therapists there let me have 90 minute sessions. I have 100% range of motion, but there is pain in my shoulder. Not real bad pain, but enough pain to cause an annoyance. It seems like the pain just lingers on.
My surgeon came by and wanted to see how my shoulder was progressing. He told me there would be pain in that shoulder joint for about 3-4 months and then it should be gone. This is what happens when one has a torn rotator cuff cut 90% through combined with a large bone spur which did the cutting.
I have to practice PT at my home for 6 months (or longer), 3 times a week which will will be in 60 minute sessions. Now the bad news, I asked my surgeon if I could go flat water paddling on June 1st. He told me he'd rather have me wait until Aug 1st or when the pain in my right shoulder joint goes completely away. :o I'm hoping the pain in my right shoulder joint goes away sooner rather than later. ;)
I then asked him about sup surfing and got some more bad news. He'd rather not have me doing any surf surfing until Oct 1st. That completely took the wind out of my sails. :(
But I have to look on the bright side. There were some people in there with me (with different medical problems in relation to shoulder, knee, hip, etc) who won't be doing any type of strenuous outdoor activities for the rest of 2017 since their recovery time will take a year to heal.
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100% range of motion at 12 weeks sounds like a huge success to me. Those time lines are subject to change, just keep at it NW.
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100% range of motion at 12 weeks sounds like a huge success to me.
It hasn't been 12 weeks. It has only been 4 weeks for me to achieve 100% range of motion.
I had 12 sessions of PT and each session was 90 minutes long. Those sessions were 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 4 weeks. I was operated on 3-29-17. Today is 4-29-17. Since my surgeon knows I am an avid outdoor person like he is himself (he bowhunts like I do), he double stitched the tear in my rotator back together. Besides, my surgeon is very well known at the Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre, which also includes Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation, as well as Memorial Hermann Hospital at The Woodlands, Texas.
The pain in my right shoulder is really not a constant pain. More like a soreness and if I move my arm in an awkward position or move it real fast, then the shoulder lets me know it is still tender inside the joint. My home PT work will cover the exact the same shoulder exercises. I'll be doing 90 minute sessions, 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) until the soreness in my right shoulder joint is totally gone.
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Yes, I meant 12 sessions...
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"He told me he'd rather have me wait until Aug 1st or when the pain in my right shoulder joint goes completely away."
Double stitched is very secure and should hold while your tear mends.
My son broke his fibula and a long plate with 9 screws was put in. He wants to pull it out now as he wants to ski without pain. You can feel the plate and screw heads. After the consult and x-ray is was clear 2 screws sheared completely and were no longer connected. Anyways just go to show metal screws are not that strong and that it is good to do follow ups. Surgeon will pull everything out in the summer as bone is fused together.
Because your tear was not at the bone and you still had 10% attached - you are very lucky. Would follow up with another visit if possible to make sure everything is healed up ok. But no pain and full range of motion is a def a good sign. Sounds your rehab is on track and you are being a good patient. ;)
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Thought I would give an update on how I'm doing.
It has now been a little over 2 months, from Mar 29th, since I had my medical procedure done. All is going well. I do my PT exercises 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) in one hour sessions for each day.
I have a little soreness in the shoulder joint but the last time I saw my surgeon (Apr 11th), he told me the soreness will get less and less and it should be all gone in 4 months time. The soreness is not a constant soreness though. Feels more like the soreness from a slight bruise now. It does let me know it is there when I sometimes move my arm in a different direction than I normally do like reaching way behind me.
BTW, my surgeon's nurse called me last Friday. Just a general check up over the phone consultation and no charge for it either. She asked how my right shoulder was doing and I told her the same thing above in the previous paragraph.
Since she had my "goal sheets" in front of her, she knew I was not going to be able to surf the waves this year with my sup, but she wanted to make sure I hadn't done anything "stupid" like paddling on flat water with my sup when I'm not supposed to be paddling my sup until Sept 1st. I told her I was being a good boy and will wait for Sept 1st when I'm allowed to take my sup out for a flat water paddle (per my surgeon's advice).
She also told me when my shoulder has no more soreness in it (which should be at the 4 month mark), the shoulder still isn't healed. In other words, "don't go from 50 mph to 200 mph the next day with my right shoulder" if you get my drift. She reminded me a severe rotator cuff tear (90%) like I had takes about 12 months to "fully" heal.
I ended the conversation by telling the nurse, I've got the Zoner site to keep me company while I recuperate. ;)
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I'm glad to hear you're improving. Not so glad that you have to wait until SEPTEMBER to get back on the water!
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One of the last pieces of advice I got from my orthopedic surgeon was; "Concerning your right shoulder, I don't want to see you (and your right shoulder) on my operating table for the rest of 2017. If I do, I'll know you went out with your board to do a little flat water paddling BEFORE Sept 1st".
Did my surgeon put a little fear into me? Absolutely! And I can see his point of view. If I take out my sup and injure my right shoulder where it needs to be surgically repaired a second time, I go easily miss all of the summer sup season of 2018 as well. The key word for me is, "patience".