eseybold

.....I am an orthopedic surgeon and 35 off skier. You do not need the surgery. The ulnar collateral ligament is only needed whenthe arm is arcing through the actually range of motion while experiencing a valgus load. A valgus load occurs when the hand is being pulled away from the body with the arm at your side and the palm facing forward. I am sure it would hurt right now if you tried to do it. Don't.  If I had the same injury, I would choose to put it in a hinged brace and let it heal on its own. You will be fine by next season. Listen to your doctor and follow the rehab instructions very carefully otherwise other problems with elbow instability could arise. Heal well.  Eric Seybold

 Guys,     Thanks for the information. At my injury I separated my right AC joint and ruptured my teres/lat on the left at the same time. I took no time off. I tried skiing the next day and yes....getting out of the water was a killer.I skied every day through the pain - skied poorly...... Two weeks later we had a clinic with Lucky Lowe and he saw me ski and recommended that I switch my grip to a right foot forward grip. Since that time my pain has left my shoulder but my biceps and brachiradialis muscles are absolutely killing me. I cannot crank my onside turn any more. I look forward to the off season. I am opting to not have it surgically repaired. Needless to say, as surgeon this makes me  really empathetic toward the weekend warriors that I treat. I have also learned that if you are late for a bouy(which I was - it was a tournament) just let it go........it is not worth it. Heres to safe and fun but still competitive skiing ! eric

I am looking for any other waterskier who may have ruptured his/her latissimus and or teres major muscle while skiing. I am an orthopedic surgeon and I ruptured mine 2 months ago going around 5 ball @32 off.  I want to know if anyone else out there has had the same injury and what they did while skiing  to compenate for the injury and subsequent loss of strength. Thanks.  I am left foot forward and it is my left arm.  Eric