Surfski Knowledge Base

Shoulder doctor recs?
Chance

May 5, 2025 #37401

Dear fellow shoulder over-users,

Can anyone recommend a doctor in the Bellingham area that is particularly good with shoulder impingement issues? I'm trying to drag my brother into the local paddle scene, but he is struggling with a shoulder injury.

Thanks,
–
C. Chance Campbell
(360) 865-0742

David Scherrer
May 5 #37402

I recommend Prime Sports.

Paul Reavley
May 5 #37403

Chance - here's a somewhat dated short discussion of shoulder specialists on Whatcom Paddlers: https://surfski.wiki/rotator_cuffs_1_19_2017

Maybe we can get some new suggestions now for this?

More general local rehab recommendations: https://surfski.wiki/bellingham#injury_and_recovery

And it won't hurt to start increasing understanding of injury: https://surfski.wiki/shoulders

Dan Mayhew
May 5 #37404

Hey Chance,

A few years ago I had a shoulder impingement. I went to Prime and fixed it. It took 8 months of no paddling and diligently following their instructions.

Once it was better I continued to work with them to strengthen my shoulders. My shoulders are stronger and healthier than before the impingement.

I am with David. I highly recommend Prime as a solution. Definitely a smart first stop before a surgeon.

Tyler Irwin
May 6 #37412

Lindsay Kizinkewich is probably the best around. She owns Precision PT and works out of the same building that Prime is in.

jordan
May 6 #37413

I had an x-ray on my hip last week which shows mild femoral-acetabulum (hip joint) impingement. Possible causes - bad technique, not enough stretching before and after paddling, prior injury combined with overuse. Waiting for an MRI referral, going to a sports medicine clinic at the end of the month. I've not been paddling for 2 weeks now. NSAIDs (oral and topical) help, but obviously a very short term solution. That's great Dan to hear that you were able to heal your shoulder! On the plus side of things, I was able to ride an e-bike up to Olympic Hot springs on Sunday and soak in a forest pool.

MelissaandSandy
May 6 #37414

I second that recommendation! Lindsay is extremely talented.

Carter Kiesau
May 7 #37418

We do have excellent therapists in town. If anyone does need to see a physician, we actually do have excellent shoulder doctors in this area (contrary to a recommendation made in the 2017 topic). I am a Bellingham Foot and Ankle surgeon, and below are the local/regional shoulder surgeons who I would trust for my own care. Hope this helps!

Matt Oswin
Dave Rust
Paul Haeder
Chris VanHofwegen
Chris Sheu (Skagit)

Reivers Dustin
May 7 #37422

Also consider Joel Hoekema. When I exploded my downhill bike ride, Joel was my Ortho guy. I knew him as a canoe paddler and ski-to-sea teammate.

My deal was several busted ribs and shattered scapula. Joel's preference was, if possible, to avoid the O.R. since shoulders (and a few other joints) are high range-of-motion integrated systems. Surgery is last resort. So he lectured me on care while the injury resolved. No motion for several weeks with frequent imaging to monitor progress (or problems).

Result: no surgery. Lots of P.T. (I still do some of it) and full recovery. For me, it's a big deal for an Orthopedic surgeon to resist surgery and encourage other modalities. That is not common in my experience. As confIrmation, LG just had Hoekema do his hip replacement. He had a similar experience, when he mentioned to Joel that his hip seemed to be better: the surgery was paused to allow possible resolution. But then LG had problems and Joel got him in fast-track. (For some reason LG wants to paddle a canoe with his legs now, but that's ok.)

Really great discussion.
RD