Nationality: USA
Current Position: Attending physician, Emergency Medicine, The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, HI
Favourite Surf Destination: Hawaii
Surf travel: California, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, South America, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe
Education/work experience: UCLA School of Medicine, University of Chicago Emergency Medicine Residency Program/The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, HI
Any other information you would like to add about yourself:
My family immigrated from S. Korea when I was 5 years-old and we settled in a small farming town in California between Santa Barbara and Ventura. I enjoyed playing all sports, but quickly grew to love surfing. And I have been fortunate to keep surfing a part of my life throughout most of my educational and career activities. I studied international economics as an undergraduate at UCLA then worked in business consulting in Boston, MA. I returned to UCLA for medical school and then shipped off to Chicago to complete a residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago. From there, I was fortunate to land a job in Honolulu, HI where I currently work as an attending physician at The Queen’s Medical Center. The past few years, I have had the privilege of working in the medical tent at the Vans Triple Crown Events on the North Shore of Oahu.
Hello guys hopefully you will have the chance to take a look. As surfing doctors I am sure your feedback will be way more valuable than anyone’s else. Briefly:
– 6weeks ago I had a Minor Fracture at T5 left Rib.
– I was about to pop up when I felt a snap in the Rib.
– No impact. No collision. So I guess it broke due to stress on the bone because of the constant weight applied when paddle.
– Now after 6weeks I can go training no problem. However, yesterday had my first surf sessh and paddling on a surfboard still hurts (even though a protective lycra I bought)
Do you have any tip to give me, i.e.:
– is there anything specific I should do / not do to recover faster (abdominals, plank, swimming etc.)?
– time expected to have no pain at all when surfing?
– if I have some pain is fine to surf or shall I wait?
– Any other tips?
I live in Honolulu Hawaii if anyone here can help I would be glad to come over to meet up and pay for the visit. Mahalo!
Lorenzo
Lorenzo,
Sorry for the late reply. It’s been a while since I’ve checked this. I hope you are feeling better by now. If you are still having discomfort or have questions, please call me (310) 721-9406. I live in Honolulu as well. Aloha,
– Reeo
Thanks Reeo.
– I recovered however I have to surf with this:
http://paddleair.com/ergo/
– Since it was a rib cartilage displaced fracture, the bone it’s still exposed and so it bothers if I paddle without protection.
– I wonder if I will have to surf all my life with this stuff. Not a big deal, but the feeling of the board on the chest is not the same as being simply in shortboards.
– As far as you know is there any advancement in the medicine field in order to fix rib cartilage?
Mahalo!
Lorenzo
PS I got back to Italy. Left Honolulu after 4yrs. But if easier I can try and give you a call if it’s easier to discuss and get som tips based on your experience. Thanks!
Thanks Reeo.
– I recovered however I have to surf with this:
http://paddleair.com/ergo/
– Since it was a rib cartilage displaced fracture, the bone it’s still exposed and so it bothers if I paddle without protection.
– I wonder if I will have to surf all my life with this stuff. Not a big deal, but the feeling of the board on the chest is not the same as being simply in shortboards.
– As far as you know is there any advancement in the medicine field in order to fix rib cartilage?
Mahalo!
Lorenzo
Mobile +39 338 719 58 45
PS I got back to Italy. Left Honolulu after 4yrs. But if easier I can try and give you a call if it’s easier to discuss and get som tips based on your experience. Thanks!