[asagaai]

I went surfing in huge surf before work, was running off a reef between huge sets and water was swilling around- ran along what I thought was a ridge but water hid a huge hole- which I fell into and put my arm out to prevent hitting my head and ripped my right shoulder out and broke 2 fingers on right hand.

Hospital- shoulder re-inserted, did conservative sling thing, exercises.

Then in surf diving over wave on shore, shoulder pulled out-back to hospital shoulder re-inserted.

Further exercising, got strong, training for rock climbing and bouldering low- jumped for a hold and pulled right shoulder out again. This time hospital said you need surgery.

I had a case where there was an orthopaedic surgeon who stuffed his right shoulder downhill skiing on snow. He went to Professor Sonnabend in Sydney, who operated on him.

I thought well if an oerthopaedic surgeon who was a top one at that went to Professor Sonnabend, Prof will do me.

Thats who I went and saw-Professor Sonnabend-got MRI done with dye, supraspinatus and rotator cuff, an orthopaedic surgeon from Canada who repaired American Football gridiron players was studying with him - asked him why he came to Sydney, he responded because shoulder surgery is most complicated joint in body, and Sonnabend made it look easy when its not.

He discussed keyhole v open surgery. Keyhole maintains full reach and flexibility, but not as strong as open. So an olympic fencer would go keyhole. With open - much stronger, but slight restriction at extremes of elevation.

Sonnabend looked at my size, fact that I rockclimb- went open operation. My scar is very very clean, almost invisible unless you know its there.

Was in hospital some 4 days cause I could not pee and had a catherter. Spent another 4 days odd in bed at home.

Had a brace on right arm for some 8 weeks, could not drive. Then brace off and did physio at hospital, and exercises in morning. Was painful, but not that bad.

Anyway, 8 months later back to rock climbing, and I now do gym, rock climbing, surfing, and right shoulder is strong and actually stronger now than my left.

My advice- find the very best orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in shoulders- they are like fine craftsmen and a good surgeon cuts clean and fixes the shoulder in a natural anatomical position with no nerve damage/stretching.

The top two in Australia used to be Professor Sonnabend in Sydney and Dr Des Bokor who repaired the professional football players shoulders.

I waited a year to get cut by Sonnabend- best decision - my right shoulder is trouble free and strong as. I have heard horror stories from other people who got non skilled shoulder orthopaedic surgeons doing the cutting.

Do not cheap out- get the very best shoulder surgeon - do your research.

Good luck