Rotator Cuff Surgery and Bowhunting?

[pianoman9701]

I'm sorry for the problems you're having with it. I hope it heals up to their/your best expectations, even if very slowly. Do what they tell you, though. Give it the chance it needs to heal. I am a bit scared I'll need surgery, but i know if I do have it, I'll do exactly what they tell me to do. I was a medic. I've seen what impatience and male ego can do to ruin a good surgery. Best of luck!

[high country]

I feel your pain bro. I have always been an avid bacpack hunter, bow hunter/shooter and rifle looney. It shook my life up bad. I suggest sitting down at least once a week with your family and having heart to hearts. My wife and I had a rough time because of the pain I was in. Talking helps. It will suck for a long time before it gets better, but it gets better. The world will never know how bad a shoulder can freakin hurt.

[BAR C3]

I regret it because of the constant pain I am in now and the loss of range and motion I currently have and have been told I will lose.

It was not a tear, until they operated. I elected to have the surgery to remove an issue that caused me intermittent issues.

At my 6 week check up they told me that 50-60% of rotator cuff surgeries fail and require additional surgery.  I was told that my young age (40+) was a positive and that they surgically "tore" the rotator cuff was better than a real tear.

I am not able to shoot a rifle or bow for another 5 weeks and they said it could be up to 8 months to completely heal.

Think positive my friend! 
I just had my second surgery on my left in December. Tore my right first in 1999. I'm 42, so about same age as you. As much as I lecture people about keeping there rotators strong, I was stupid last summer and was throwing hay bales above my head. Between lifting weights since I was 12, playing football, working in the woods, being on SWAT, and rodeoing, I have done a number on my body. All started at 30. Rehab it and you can pull what you want. Keep your rotators strong by using the bands and continuing the exercises as long as your pulling a bow. I actually qualify to shoot a crossbow and refuse. Until I can't pull a bow back, I won't take advantage of it. My rotator was torn in hunting season and I shot at 68lbs. Matter of fact I told the doctor I wasn't getting the surgery until hunting season was over. Shot a nice 4x4. Fatigue did set in quicker and could not hold as long.
I just started strengthening exercises last week. I will shoot as soon as possible and I will be back to 68 lbs. I'm not rifle hunting again. Had neck surgery last year and had to rifle hunt last year. Hated it! If you want it bad enough, you will get there. 

[billythekidrock]

Thanks for the positive thoughts.....now you want to hear the real bummer? My shoulder is not my worst problem.

I have been dealing with bulged & torn discs in my back for about 17 years now. It is non-stop pain up the back, down the back, down the legs....blah blah..

Pain does change a person.

But it hasn't completely slowed me down and I have had great family and friends that have helped me over the years. Since my back injury in the mid 90's I have still been able to be successfull while hunting including a deer every year (but one) more than a dozen bear and a few bull elk.

I am not as fast or strong or even as willing as I once was, but I still try to get it done. Usually smarter and not harder anymore.

[BAR C3]

Thanks for the positive thoughts.....now you want to hear the real bummer? My shoulder is not my worst problem.

I have been dealing with bulged & torn discs in my back for about 17 years now. It is non-stop pain up the back, down the back, down the legs....blah blah..

Pain does change a person.

But it hasn't completely slowed me down and I have had great family and friends that have helped me over the years. Since my back injury in the mid 90's I have still been able to be successfull while hunting including a deer every year (but one) more than a dozen bear and a few bull elk.

I am not as fast or strong or even as willing as I once was, but I still try to get it done. Usually smarter and not harder anymore.

You know I was really torn on whether to have neck surgery or not. They say once you fuse, the other discs go above and below. I'm happy with my decision. It has to be eventually fixed. Rather enjoy my younger years then wait till I can't do anything. For those who have never endured back pain, cherish those years. I don't wish it on anyone. I ruptured a cervical and thoracic in one accident. Can't fix thoracic. I do feel the middle part now that I don't have neck pain, but it's nothing like what I was dealing with. Good Luck and take care of that shoulder and back!

[cohoho]

Any right handed shooters have rotator cuff surgery on their left shoulder?  If so, are you still able to draw and hold like before?

I just had this surgery a few weeks back and today was talking to a guy today who said he couldn't archery hunt anymore because of surgery in his left shoulder. He said he couldn't hold his arm out in the correct manner to hold the bow properly.

#1 reason I sold my bow, didn't have the surgery after I busted up my left shoulder in AK a few years ago, just hurts to be in that position.....AGE sucks!

[billythekidrock]

Thanks for the positive thoughts.....now you want to hear the real bummer? My shoulder is not my worst problem.

I have been dealing with bulged & torn discs in my back for about 17 years now. It is non-stop pain up the back, down the back, down the legs....blah blah..

Pain does change a person.

But it hasn't completely slowed me down and I have had great family and friends that have helped me over the years. Since my back injury in the mid 90's I have still been able to be successfull while hunting including a deer every year (but one) more than a dozen bear and a few bull elk.

I am not as fast or strong or even as willing as I once was, but I still try to get it done. Usually smarter and not harder anymore.

You know I was really torn on whether to have neck surgery or not. They say once you fuse, the other discs go above and below. I'm happy with my decision. It has to be eventually fixed. Rather enjoy my younger years then wait till I can't do anything. For those who have never endured back pain, cherish those years. I don't wish it on anyone. I ruptured a cervical and thoracic in one accident. Can't fix thoracic. I do feel the middle part now that I don't have neck pain, but it's nothing like what I was dealing with. Good Luck and take care of that shoulder and back!

My coworker is finally back to work after having neck surgery and fusion. He is still not sure if it was worth it. He is constantly wondering if his leg pain is from his legs, his back or his neck.





Yes Mike, getting old is a b!tch.

[Dr. Death]

Surgery scheduled for April 30th....

[MichaelJ]

Well.... this thread is not reassuring!

I broke my shoulder in 2009 riding a bull, and it healed back to about 95% of what it was.  I could still work out, but throwing a baseball/football would absolutely kill me.  Got an MRI a few months ago and I have a PARTIAL rotator cuff tear.  Since I will be leaving my job soon and getting off of insurance, I figured I'd get it fixed while I'm young and not worry about it later in life.  I still shoot my bow, and rifles, and it doesn't hurt me much.  Though I have to go pretty easy throwing the ball for the pooch or if I ever coach baseball I'd be pretty screwed for BP...

I just turned 23 and have the surgery scheduled April 23rd with one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the state (Dr. Broberg out of Wenatchee) and he says its really a minor surgery because the tear is only partial and I should be back up and running 100% in 3 months.  Hopefully I have better results than you guys!  I need to be back shooting my bow by August...

Mike

[Todd_ID]

And here I lay with a sore left shoulder reading the title hoping for some good success stories.  I'm left handed, so it's my draw shoulder.  I'd switch to right handed before I give up the bow.  You guys are making me nervous!

[Huntbear]

Everyone I know who has had this surgery, including myself, take 1 full year to recover.  Till you feel like you are 100%  Even doing EVERYTHING the doc and therapists tell you to do.

IF you are able to draw a bow and hold it by season start, I will truly be impressed.  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.   

[billythekidrock]

I just turned 23 and have the surgery scheduled April 23rd with one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the state (Dr. Broberg out of Wenatchee) and he says its really a minor surgery because the tear is only partial and I should be back up and running 100% in 3 months. 

From what I have learned so far....the positive is that you are young and will heal better than an older guy. The negative is that I doubt you will be 100% in 3 months.

Mine was a "surgical tear" and not a real tear so it should heal quicke and stronger, but at 8 weeks I can tell you that I am no where near 50% in motion or strength. I am not even supposed to shoot a rifle or bow until after my 3 month check up.

I wish you luck and if you have any questions you can pm me and I will try to answer the best I can.

[deleted BGS]

I have a slight tear in my rotator, and an impingement. I elected not to have surgery and to deal with it, but it ended the baseball dream. Doesnt hurt too bad to shoot

[BAR C3]

For those of you who have a tear but chose not do surgery or chose to wait, here is some advice. Don't wait till it's to late! My boss blew it off and can't get it now. He can't even hold a coffee pot in that arm. Your tendon's re-track. If they re-track to far, you can't re-attach. 
I definately can't throw a ball anymore!
Huntbear, I will be shooting by June! 7 months later 

[Huntbear]

BAR C3

You are doing well then.  Of course the doc also took out  a huge bone spur, and stitched a slap tear back to the bone on me...  I am still not 100% from surgery last June.  But getting better.