: Have torn the bicep tendon where it attaches at the top front of my shoulder.
: Took 7 months to feel better and still have to be careful. The shoulder
: joint is quite unstable and all the parts are inter-related so you gotta
: be careful not to rush the re-hab. Anyway most moderate soft tissue
: injuries will heal in 6 weeks but tendon and ligaments can take much
: longer ( one or more years! ) due to reduced blood flow I've been told.

: The good news is that yes a narrow bladed paddle is much easier on your
: joints and some kayakers even use a 48" single bladed paddle again
: not too wide, no more than 5". With many shoulder injuries you can
: use the arm if you don't raise it above shoulder level. Just listen to
: your body.

west hit the nail on the head. listen to your body. i messed up my shoulder playing hockey this spring. its still not better. i went to a physical therapist a while back and she recommened doing push-ups against the wall for my type of injury. she asked if i enjoyed rowing, i said, "well i have a kayak?" she told me rowing exercises would be the best tpye of exercise for my injury. btw, i screwed up my right collar bone, and right shoulder blade. i paddel this past week in canada, i won't lie. it hurt, but that was a coventional paddle. i think if you can scam yourself a greenland paddle and change your style ( for me that means not anything over the top of the shoulder) you'll be ok. just remember...these types of injuries just don't "go away". take it easy for now, or you'll be one messed up person later in life.
build on,
brett the hitman hart