I have been out of the surf for 4 weeks today. Finally went and had a scan and X-ray yesterday for some diagnosis and getting a treatment going.

Common amongst surfer but how many SUP'ers have the same problem?

I tore my right shoulder rotator cuff badly quite a few years ago windsurfing. I didn't have an op and it took a long time to heal (not completely) but still gave me trouble over the years.
Since getting into sup Ive found its gotten slowly worse. My shoulder gives me grief a lot these days but doc has also put this down to many years of different sports and getting old, just turned 55. It hasn't stopped me so keep at the right exercises and rehab and all the best to you.

I've had rotator cuff issues most of my life from doing gnarly stuff as a kid and later from playing tennis which I can't do anymore. I noticed it was hurting a bit after 4 or 5 consecutive days of sup surfing last week. There is an episode on the PaddleWoo podcast about sup paddles and they were saying that paddles with flexible shafts will minimize this.

haha - appreciate the plug Secret Agent!A few quick facts about rotator cuff 'tears'1) imaging choice initially from GP's is usually an Ultrasound - benefits being cheap to the patient and to the government, downsides is that the pictures are as useless as **** on a bull in about 80% of patients...2) why? well, there was a landmark study performed in baseball pitchers (use their shoulders a fair bit, right?) in the US a few years ago - this study imaged every single shoulder of every single pitcher in the league at the time. What they found was (and I do not remember exact number) but a lot (upwards of 70%), of pitchers had rotator cuff tears. The clincher - some of them continued to pitch pain free and no dramas....Also, another study came out that MRI'd 1000 odd people over the age of 50 - some large percent (over 50%) had rotator cuff tears found - the clincher again, not everyone had pain or dysfunction...

3) What the hell is this guy on about you say? Yeah I understand that sounds whack, but highlights the importance of treating the person, not the picture. You may very well have a tear in your rotator cuff and it may be the source of your issues - but not necessarily. Just because you have a tear found in your shoulder, doesn't mean you can't make some improvements. Of course, a proper assessment is crucial.

I have made an appt to see Josh…….will be good to see someone that understands SUP movement. Just a pity he is booked out for a while as the waves are looking good at the moment.

Got all that - mri, ct and x ray -- a couple of years apart as my shoulder is getting worse and worse -- last weeks xray showed spurs in the socket and a grated off end of humerous - bugger all ball joint - going in on Dec 8th for a shoulder replacement ( scrape out spurs and put in new ball joint) -- approx. 6 months of no paddling!

Steve

**** big blades

Ive had major shoulder issues from many years of elite kayaking and canoeing and initially SUP just made things worse, After reading up on paddles and others experience with SUP and shoulder issues I chopped 2 inches off the length of my paddle and now I no longer have any shoulder issues. Doing this basically bought my upper arm to no higher than horizontal during any part of my stroke, Keeping the top elbow pointed down (rather than out) also contributed greatly. If your arm/shoulder is in a vulnerable position I'm not sure shaft flexibility or blade size alone is going to solve it.

burleighlocal said..

Deano72 said..
Get a smaller blade and/or flexier shaft.
I'm amazed at how many people I see trying to drag themselves around in the surf with a blade that is way to big.
I was using 84sq" blades but now with lower volume boards am using 74sq" and lovin it.
So much easier on the body and not missing any waves!

I use a Naish makani…so much flex and a small blade.

Good choice ..burleigh local..they are a nice soft paddle ..I just brought the wave naish ..8.0 ..seems to be similar to the makani fixed .
i just got the wave vario ..as i like to extend the shaft with different boards I use .or if its choppy.
hope you recover soon ...just take it easy ...a good massager I had ,she always said listen to your body ..if it hurts stop doing it .
the next thing she'd say is you stubborn males ..keep going till it breaks .oh yeah ..

I got into SUP because of bad rotator cuffs.... I couln't pop up on mu surfboards any more.
SUP has been fine with my shoulders.
I make sure not to macho out and race, or train hard.... but I spent 20 hours on boards last week.

I can't even tuck my pants in, or touch my hands behind my back.... but I can SUP all day

I hope you have a speedy recovery.... just remember not to push past a point.
I can paddle hard for waves.... but I paddle smart the rest of the time.

You might want to ride a board with a bit of easy glide, until you are stronger.

CarterSUPhysio said..

burleighlocal said..

Deano72 said..
Get a smaller blade and/or flexier shaft.
I'm amazed at how many people I see trying to drag themselves around in the surf with a blade that is way to big.
I was using 84sq" blades but now with lower volume boards am using 74sq" and lovin it.
So much easier on the body and not missing any waves!

I use a Naish makani…so much flex and a small blade.

Have you been for any more SUP sessions yet local ?

YEP…mostly every second day with the small stuff. The little 2ft+ pulse on the weekend was hard to stay away from but I managed as I didn't want to push it too hard. Getting better everyday. Looking forward to SUN/MON with the forecast at 2/3 ft…can't wait actually! Shorter blade is working a treat.

…and those larger needles really hurt the day after.

Deano72 said..
Get a smaller blade and/or flexier shaft.

And shorten your shaft (the paddle, I mean...)

having your upper hand higher than your shoulder when paddling lead to injuries.

first bit of good info regarding how to prevcent it in the first place,we have been at it since it began in our neck of the woods,got taught the correct technique by woogie marsh,keep your hands below eye level,shortening surf paddles is the easiest way,ten years later NO SHOULDER PROBLEMS