Surfing Waves

I just had a shoulder subluxation surfing out here in San Diego, a week before I'm supposed to go to Costa Rica and surf. Bummer eh? I had full dislocation last June. So I guess it's easier to do it again once you have done it once.

It wasn't that severe, as it was subluxed for maybe 45 seconds and popped back in on its own. Very little pain, full range of motion (I actually paddled back out after about 10 minutes of rest) I went to the doctor and he didn't take X-Rays. It only really hurts when I put my hand straight up over my head. Probably 3-4 on the 10 scale.

Anyone have experience with subluxations and surfing? How gnarly is Costa Rican waves and how good is the medical system?

eightythree wrote:I just had a shoulder subluxation surfing out here in San Diego, a week before I'm supposed to go to Costa Rica and surf. Bummer eh? I had full dislocation last June. So I guess it's easier to do it again once you have done it once.

It wasn't that severe, as it was subluxed for maybe 45 seconds and popped back in on its own. Very little pain, full range of motion (I actually paddled back out after about 10 minutes of rest) I went to the doctor and he didn't take X-Rays. It only really hurts when I put my hand straight up over my head. Probably 3-4 on the 10 scale.

Anyone have experience with subluxations and surfing? How gnarly is Costa Rican waves and how good is the medical system?

Yow, that's bad luck especially with it being only a week out.
After a full shoulder dislocation the ligaments and tendons of the joint are stretched and often permanently by the dislocation , and you are right, it becomes easier for the shoulder to dislocate again.
Rehabilitative physiotherapy is important to balance and strengthen the structure surrounding the joint to prevent it happening again.

Each dislocation tends to make the shoulder more and more unstable.
There is ongoing tissue damage and the possibility of causing nerve damage to the nerves in and passing from the joint.
If the dislocation and subsequent subluxations are allowed to continue then the most likely repair is surgical and the the beginnings of arthritus is a possibility!
Before you get to that stage have a talk to a Physiotherapist who knows surfing and see if these exercises fit a recovery and balancing program for you
https://surfing-waves.com/surf-fitne ... tretch.htm

The nature of surfing is there is no guarantee that you won't injure your if you are going to a different surf spot, and as for hospitals in Third world or Central American countries etc bit chancy there.
I'd have fully paid up travel and hospital insurance! BTW read carefully any conditions or terms on pre-existing conditions. ( you have one, and you may need to pay extra on your premium to cover it)

I ended up canceling my trip. I figured with 1-2 feet overhead conditions and a freshly injured shoulder, with no guarantee on health services available it would have been stupid to risk it.

Luckily, after a visit to my doctor/physio, it doesn't appear a damaged my shoulder too much and it should only require 3 or so PT visits to get me back in the water!

Hi eightythree, welcome to Surfing Waves!
Sorry to hear about your injury, that's some bad luck right before your trip. I think you've done the right thing though. Re-book and enjoy to the full once you're back to full fitness.

Yep, thats bad luck about the trip, but I think you made the right decision. It's good to know what you're dealing with now, and how long you're looking at to get back in form.

Let us know how you go with the physio!