Shoulder Prevention

[JBL1026]

I dislocated my shoulder about two years ago and here recently it has started bothering me pretty bad (nearly popping out). Does anybody out there have a remedy that may help this...IE.. exercises or just lay off of it. I have ordered one of those EVS-CBO3 hoping that will at least keep me from over extending. If anyone has any remedies to this problem please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Josh

[Owl]

I'd see an ortho doc if I were you. Your shoulder may require surgery to stabilize it sufficiently and self-diagnosis and neglect may make the condition worse or ultimately irreparable.

[okieboater]

As one of the many boaters with experience with shoulder issues on this message board, I second the recommendation to get good medical recommendations. And, I would get two. I can tell you from personal experience that the shoulder issues I have had did not get better on their own and did not heal until I followed the Doc's Rx for as long as he said. Example, just because it feels better does not mean you can go out running the gnar - reinjury takes twice as long to heal.

sports medicine as well as a standard MD or DO Doc is a good way to gather information.

I would also ask this msg board for recommendations as to who they recommend.

[JBL1026]

Well I guess my next question would be does anyone on this board with a medical background have any advice or know of a good phycisian/sport doc that could lead me in the right direction. Anything would be helpful.... I guess I for sure need to take it easy on it until the rains come....

Thanks for the advice,

Josh

[Sir Kayakalot]

I'd like to know the percentage of kayakers,
playboaters and creekers especially, that have
injured their shoulders. I hurt mine when I first
got into kayaking while learning to roll. Practicing
my roll nearly every day for a couple weeks was
way too much strain for someone not use to the
required moves to execute a roll. So to all the
newbies out there, if your shoulder starts hurting,
don't be hard-headed, give it a rest. Once you
injure it, it might not heal to 100% for a LONG
time!



Tommy

[Jim Krueger]

Tommy, and Josh,

I can certainly understand how continual stress on a shoulder over several days could lead to significant problems. I could only suggest taking it easier, and learning more &better technique so as not to cause more discomfort.I do know that myself and others have injured ourselves all at once. In my case, I completely dislocated my right shoulder in 2.5 seconds on the Buffalo, just 5 minutes downstream of Kyles Landing...Thankfully after a short walk back, and a most uncomfortable ride up the mountain and into Jasper, I was so pleased Dr. Justice could put it back without further delay. One year later, and lots of home exercises, I felt like kayaking again, could sleep on that side, and eventually learned to roll, and more importantly, learned that I needed to consider how I extend my arms while paddling in the future, pressure to exert, etc.. I'm so grateful with the outcome thus far and , like others, can only have a better understanding of the discomfort and causes perhaps. The whole experience sure made me ' want to come to my friends with my hat in my hand', so to speak


Best Regards
Jim Moose

[Crane]

There are exercises that can build up the little muscles that help hold a shoulder in place... You usually learn about them after your's goes out:) I have a series that I do about 3X a week... since I hurt mine:) Your ortho or PT should be able give you a hand-out. If not, ask again & I'll describe what mine gave me! Good luck! Crane

[Shep]

Hi Josh! I enjoyed meeting you at the roll session last week.

Fortunately, I have never dislocated, but I have injured my R. Shoulder twice. This might be a shameless plug, but perhaps consider taking up canoeing! I actually got heavily into canoeing two summers ago when I expected to climb hard all summer, and then injured my right shoulder in early April. I was not able to raise my right hand above my shoulder, but I was able to canoe on the right.

Also, follow Crane's advice about doing exercises to strengthen the accessory muscles on that side.

Hope this helps,
Shep

[c8mb]

My ortho appt is Monday....right shoulder. It'd be even worse if there was water here because I don't have much will power. I'm glad the fall/winter swamp tour hasn't been posted yet.....It would just add to the temptation/torture. "Play now, pay later" gets me into trouble a lot.

Crane, I might need to see those exercises.

[Crane]

See Owl's link in the post below!! Good luck!! Crane

[Owl]

Good information in the pdf below but, again, no substitute for a visit to the Doctor.

[Crane]

That's a great link... and the advice to go ahead and get checked by a doctor is good, too! CRane