Rotator Cuff Tear - Now What ?!

[macbeth]

I've completely torn my rotator cuff, so that even if I do get it fixed with surgery, I probably should never again pull a cord on an outboard motor.

I currently have an 8' inflatable with a 2 stroke 4HP OB which we use occasionally to mostly take the dog to shore. It's a beast to start, probably contributed to my shoulder problem.

The question is: Now what do we do in the future ?

Any suggestions would be appreciated before next summer. Thanks.

[Ram]

I had this happen to me and it took about a 1 1/2 years to heal completly - i was like new after that, maybe get a smaller engine take it easy until you heal up

[DeepFrz]

Electric start, but surely you knew that.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha,
Sorry to hear about your shoulder. My brother had the surgery in both his shoulders. He can pull the cord on an outboard but it took him quite a time to recover.
I'd suggest getting an electric outboard or one that has an electric start.
I've had the recurring symptoms in my right arm but never went to the doctor. It seemed to heal after about a year of using my left arm to pull the outboard, start the weedwhacker or chainsaw, lawnmower, whatever.
Good luck and I hope you can recover thoroughly and quickly.
kind regards,

[zeehag]

will you be selling your boat, also, as you will no longer be able to sail a boat?/ you will still be pulling lines and sheets?/
the other alternatives---teach goggie to poo on deck then clean it up , or, get a cat-- they dont need walks.

i believe you will find that you will have more mobility than you think.

oh yes...and electric start. mebbe also electric furling. mast and jib. do they have that yet?? but what about winches==will you be able to pull lines????

[delmarrey]

Letric motor!

[scorpio49]

il had that done 6 or 7 years ago.i'm very lucky to have had a very good doctor.i start my honda 2000 every day.the only way i can remember which arm was bad is by looking in a mirror.hopefully it won't be that big a deal for you.

[martinjrichter]

Latitudes and Attitudes booth at the Long Beach Boat show had an electric winch handle, looked like it would help take the strain off of you shoulder. Around $400 I think.

I strained my shoulder and had to cut all physical activity for about 6 months. Not fun, so definately take it easy for a long time.

[sarafina]

Hi, I have done physical therapy for both shoulders and am sitting here and can feel the heat in the bad one after a long week. It's been 2 1/2 years since the original injuries.

My mom had traditional surgery done and had a bad recovery and very little improvement. Then she had this done;

Pig Intestinal Tissue Helps Human Injury - ABC News

Her Dr also did this;
http://www.chiromedicalgroup.com/prp

What a miracle it has been to see a 70 year old woman regain almost total use of an arm she could barely move.

Really, look into it, it is WAY superior to traditional repairs!

And then just do lots of pt after so you get strong enough to run your boat. And yeah, maybe an electric winch might be a good idea!

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by macbeth

I've completely torn my rotator cuff, so that even if I do get it fixed with surgery, I probably should never again pull a cord on an outboard motor.

I currently have an 8' inflatable with a 2 stroke 4HP OB which we use occasionally to mostly take the dog to shore. It's a beast to start, probably contributed to my shoulder problem.

The question is: Now what do we do in the future ?

Any suggestions would be appreciated before next summer. Thanks.

New OB maybe. I have a Suzuki 2.5 that starts easily. The Tohatsu 3.5 I had started well too.

Get the wife to start it?

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Ram

I had this happen to me and it took about a 1 1/2 years to heal completly - i was like new after that, maybe get a smaller engine take it easy until you heal up

Me too. It's a long, painful process, but if you work at it you can recover well. I was told I would never be able to do heavy or overhead work - EVER again. Within two years I was doing scaffolding on a casual basis.

Don't lose heart!

[captainKJ]

Originally Posted by macbeth

I've completely torn my rotator cuff, so that even if I do get it fixed with surgery, I probably should never again pull a cord on an outboard motor.

I currently have an 8' inflatable with a 2 stroke 4HP OB which we use occasionally to mostly take the dog to shore. It's a beast to start, probably contributed to my shoulder problem.

The question is: Now what do we do in the future ?

Any suggestions would be appreciated before next summer. Thanks.

I spoke with my famiy doctor today on your behalf. he suggested that you not go sailing at all. To help out a fellow CF member I will gladly take the boat off you hands while you heal. My doctor said it should be about 3 years,,,, just enough time for a quick sail

[jmackay]

Train the dog to start the outboard, if he has to go baddly enough he will learn quite quickly

[captainKJ]

Originally Posted by jmackay

Train the dog to start the outboard, if he has to go baddly enough he will learn quite quickly

save on gas completely. Get 2 dogs and train them too pull the dingy. Might start a whole new trend of dingy racing. They have the sled racing in alaska,,,just think of it. A whole new craze the cruisers can compete in.

[Pilotethridge]

Row! Hahaha, just kidding, take it easy on your arm and it will probably start to feel better in a few months, and after a year be pretty good. I find there are certain things I cant do, like bowling, but I can still paddle a surfboard. most things are no problem, sometimes you have to make an effort to do something in a way that wont hurt that shoulder. ibuprofen and/or alleve will help you get better faster