i have had 2 shoulder surgeries in the last two years. One arthoscopic and one open repair for bankahart lesion. i have been surfing,skating for 15 years. i initialy injured it skating , came down in the transition on my right arm extended. I am eight months into my second surgery and feel okay. have surfed 5 times since but every time their has been one incident where the shoulder moves when paddling to hard to get in a wave. should i discontinue surfing for a while longer? what is the best way to train? i did 6 months of therapy ,and am now on a home program.- Cody Younghans

Cody,

    Sorry about the delayed response, but here goes. 
    Bankart surgery, or labral repair of the shoulder often functions to tighten the shoulder capsule, preventing further dislocation but  leaving you with an arm that is stiff in certain movements.  This stiffness is caused by scar tissue that formed during your healing process.  Although you participated in physical therapy, this may not have adequately prepared you for surfing and paddling.  In my practice as a shoulder surgeon, I will often if not always implement a sports specific program for athletes.  This program would be individually tailored to fit your needs and could be supervised by a Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer(ATC), or a sports trainer if they have adequate training.  The first step to achieving your goals is to achieve full functional range of motion. This is followed by strengthening the small muscles around the shoulder (Rotator Cuff), and finally we do plyometric exercises which function to make you strong at your end ranges of motion.  This last step is probably what you are lacking, and maybe a little motion too.  Hope this helps.

Brad Thomas
More info at www.Bradthomasmd.com or www.orthodoc.aaos.org/BradThomasMD


I have pain in my c section that sending tingling down both of my arms i must paddle to much what to due- Dennis Farrell

Dennis,

   Funny question only because I seriously doubt if you have a C-section, and certainly it would be tough for me to explain a scar around your lower abdomen causing pain in your arms.  But, all kidding aside, what I think you are questioning is about you cervical spine and this potentially causing sensations of tingling in your arms.  This is actually quite common in surfers and could be for paddlers too.  What is likely happening is that the nerves that exit your neck to supply motor function and sensation to your arms are being pinched as thay exit the cervical spine.  This can be for a variety of reasons including but not limited to stiffness in your neck musculature, a bulging disc, cervical stenosis (narrowing of the area where the nerves exit), or mass effect (something is in there and pushing on the nerves).  I would suggest you first see your doctor to make sure this is nothing too serious, then get into physical therapy v=because the great majority of neck problems are significantly improved with PT.

Brad Thomas
More info at www.Bradthomasmd.com or www.orthodoc.aaos.org/BradThomasMD

I want to start paddleboarding and was wondering how I should go about it. What kind of board, any special make/model, new or used? I live on the east coast so there aren't many paddleboarders, at least not in Manasquan, NJ. Thank you.- Ron Biesiada

Ron,

   Boy I sure hope you are paddling despite the fact that I never wrote you back.  Not intentional, just missed your listing, so sorry!  Believe it or not I have surfed Manasquan Inlet on several occasions and was quite impressed with the power of that place when it gets big.  As for paddling, I would suggest you do it any which way you can.  Definitely start used because these boards aren’t cheap and you may bag it if it’s not your thing.  Check out www.eatonsurf.com for a used board.  I think there are some guys paddling around the New York area, which is just a hop, skip and jump away for you.  I started with an unlimited, but would suggest a stock board probably, which is a little easier all around board to just jump on and go. 

Brad Thomas
More info at www.Bradthomasmd.com or www.orthodoc.aaos.org/BradThomasMD



Brad, I'm a novice paddleboarder. I have a 18' bark that I am having trouble knee paddling. I can knee paddle my 10' longboard no problem. Is my technique awful or do I need a change of equipment like a wider more stable board or ...? Thanks -Mark Jacobsen

Hi Mark,
   So knee paddling an unlimited board can be a little tough the first few times, and certainly harder than your longboard.  I’m sure you can get it.  Start by giving yourself a wide base at your knees and stay low and centered to start (all pretty basic).  No need to go for the giant pull to start, just paddle like you would your longboard.  If you find it is still too unsteady, try another board.  Paddleboards are all different, just like surfboards and you may not be used to seeing the subtleties in design.  A very stable board will have wide hips, vertical rails and a flat or concave bottom.  A narrow rounded bottom board, although fast, can be tough for any of us to be steady on.  Hope this helps.

Brad Thomas
More info at www.Bradthomasmd.com or www.orthodoc.aaos.org/BradThomasMD