Sailing for the somewhat damaged

[blackbeard]

A few weeks ago I fractured/dislocated a starboard shoulder. Silly accident (not sailing) and my own fault. I do not recommend this course of action. You may however laugh.
Problem now if the physio says I should not sail for about another 3 months to allow joint to completely stabilise. Consequently I am getting very grumpy, especially since I am now passed fit to do the washing up, and my two-tone blue NHS sling is retained only to excite undeserved sympathy.
I can't help thinking that 3 months is a rather pessimistic view of things. I need a few more weeks perhaps, but months?! I could understand it if I were proposing to do something adventurous, but with a good crew to do the muscle stuff and an easy-to-handle boat in fair weather, and enough sense to not grab things without thinking, I should be OK?
Boat in question is a UK Hunter 245, ie AWB about 25' long, bilge keels, inboard engine, can reef from cockpit.
How would the advice be modified for a GP14 dinghy?
Anyway, Nelson went to sea without the full complement of functioning arms ...

 

[Topcat47]

The answer is to sit in the cockpit giving orders....let your crew do all the work.....one hand for yourself and one for the ship is a good rule when at sea....your "hand for the ship" will have to be a deck-hand.

Go for it.....

 

[Sui Generis]

Nelson would have gone out in the gp14, never mind the Hunter 245.

You have a choice.

 

[William_H]

The problem ios that sailing is all crisis management. You will be tempted to use the bad arm just to help out. I was tempted to s8uggest that you completely imobilise the arm but you would need to wear a life jacket and it does seem bad to hinder yourself where safety is concerned. I reckon you will probably split the difference and go out sailing sooner than recomended. If it gets damaged agian just explain that mental health is important too.
Don't let me panic you but our winter solstice is only a few days away and then summer will be on its way again so you know what that means to UK sailors. (Incidentally what we desperatewly need here in Perth is rain.)
good luck olewill

 

[BrendanS]

It really depends on your age and ability to heal. Whilst I don't discount the theory that the physio is being cautious....bear in mind how you'd feel if they told you it will be 6 months if you did any serious damage. Have a heart to heart with the physio. Tell them what it is exactly you'd be up to on the boat with a decent crew. But also be truthful about the possibilities of emergencies happening on boat which might mean you'd have to put the arm into action. Then see what they say.

 

[fdmarsden]

Sent you a pm

 

[Superflid]

My sister ignored warnings about returning to work too early after dislocated shoulder and has had 15 years of trouble and 2 operations to show for it.
As someone who has suffered very different health problems, I'd think seriously if a few months sailing is worth the risk of years of trouble.

 

[ningcompoop]

One big problem with dislocated shoulders is that once it has come out, the damage done leaves the joint lax, and much more likely to dislocate again under much less force, until the joint has had time to heal and "tighten up". Recurrent dislocations can leave you with a unstable shoulder, that can "pop out" at the slightest knock - I once met someone who's shoulder had dislocated when they sneezed! - Ouch! The (only?) good news is some people learn how to put it back themselves. Surgical repair hurts and isn't gaurenteed to work. Other long-term complications - arthritis in the joint, nerve damage to your hand. 3 months is par for the course for these things, although it will feel like a long time. Ultimately its your arm, your decision, just be well informed.
Sorry Blackbeard, just noticed you had a "fracture/dislocation" - the joint may or may not be as unstable but you may also run the risk of none-union (not healing) of the fracture if you mobilse it too soon. Really the main consideration is that if you don't take it easy for the next few months, in a few years you may not be able to do anything but take it easy.

 

[RufusM]

Suggest a Swiss Army Knife - you know the ones with a blunt wood saw on them.

Insert into the joint just behind your shoulder and press (about 150 Newtons should do it - so you could use a lifejacket to give you extra leverage) and the arm will just fall off. No more risk of damage! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[LORDNELSON]

Get someone else to haul the boat out of the water and then use your good hand/arm to give her a good polish etc, do easy tidy up jobs inside. Do not go sailing until you are sure that the shoulder is healed. Its not on to keep the shoulder continually hurt - you just make life grim for those close to you! This type of injury, in my families experience, takes ages to heal and does not respond to rough treatment. Nelson had a crew of a few hundred men and did not expect whilst on board to have to do muscular work.

 

[AIDY]

I agree I suffer from the same proplem. I dislocated my left shoulder sailing, maybe 8 years ago. I was too keen to get back on the water and out in the sun. My shoulder is very unstable now. it's never mended. The smallest things can throw it now, maybe winching on the boat or even turning over in bed at night.... I keep putting an op off as i would have to be in a slink for 5 months. and i'm too active.

 

[blackbeard]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. Evidently I need a h-to-h with the physio but I fear a forthcoming dinghy sailing holiday at Salcombe will become a walking-on-the-SW-Coast-path holiday, especially if weather gets a bit blowy. We shall see.
Ironically, before the accident, I was helping (as instructor) with Sailability (sailing for disabled). We use Access dinghies which are physically undemanding to sail, so that may be one way of getting out sailing once my shoulder is a bit more capable, though whether as instructor or customer might not be entirely clear.
And, Olewill, you might like to know that we are having water problems here too.

 

[LeonF]

Lol....not at your ailment but the post title.. was expecting it to be another rant about something or the other with posters in a psychotic state!! Then I thought.. perhaps all of us who love sailing are somewhat damaged..
Seriously, I have just had key hole surgery on my elbow. A frozen shoulder was just about ok, then had two bouts of the arm locking at 180 degrees, taking a month to free itself. Transpired it was debris in the joint, a small piece of bone and other flotsam has been removed. I too am keen to get back to it, and the joint is making a remarkable recovery, but I am cautious about pushing it too soon. Remember it is in a weakened state and further damage could make it worse than it was previously. Good things come to all who wait..vent your frustration on YBW posters /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif