Hi, anyone here have had injuries that were so significant that you can't shoot anymore ? I think I'm almost their, now what ?
Valley..., Not enough info (not trying to be nosy) but there are "para archers" that shoot with foot on the bow and using a "chew strap." Not saying that there is not a point where archery becomes untenable but...
Arne
I had a shoulder injury in the Corp. couldn't pull a bow back for awhile but I went to physical therapy and learned as much as I could about the anatomy of my shoulder so I could get stronger and shoot again. It's been 10 years now.Also have some fractured vertebraes in my spine and starting out with a 30# bow I was able to work myself up from there. Most of my bows now are 30-55# and I have no issues and never had to have surgery which is what they wanted. I also drink apple cider vinegar daily and that helps with inflammation and swelling when I do get pain. You have to start from low poundage and just work yourself up. Lots of good info out there on treating injuries. Good luck to you.
I tore both elbow tendons in '09 and '12, had surgery and came back strong as ever with no residual effects. What is your injury?
Sometimes it just takes a while to get everything back, have patience with physical therapy. I went through a similar issue. I had cervical spine surgery, artificial disk and titanium plates and screws now hold my neck together. 1 year later I went through surgery to repair a 90% rotator cuff tear and a ruptured bicep tendon. It took two years but I'm back shooting 60+ lb bows.
Lots of injuries, many set me back...but I always find a way.
Currently almost back to normal when I was told I would never shoot a trad bow again.(shoulder injuries since healed 100%)
(recently fractured my left hand....dammit)
But drawing low poundage already.....
No, but I have had some that required significant lay off time and permanent reduction in draw weight.
Have you had the doctor evaluate your situation? Perhaps physical therapy might help. Good luck.
I shot with a guy in the North American Longbow Safari a few years back with one arm He used a leather strap in his teeth to draw. Shoulder and neck are giving me much trouble, but I dropped weight and do exercises,including yoga, to keep what I have. You may have to find a work around, but shooting is very relaxing do not give up
Thought I was in trouble in 08, accident complete tear of bicep, 95% tear of tricep, 75% tear of lat, slap tear and most tendons ruined on my pulling arm. Took 7 anchors and several pins to pull and put everything back together but it worked.
Surgery in May and completed every painful PT they could throw at me. Built a few light weight bows through out the summer one handed, started slow, very slow by the end of October. Killed a coyote, a doe and a great buck in December. Took me a while but I worked my way right back up to my regular poundage bows mid to upper 50's and have never had any problems.
Like said above what kind of problems are you having? Maybe there's something you can do, maybe not. I'm stubborn but not stupid I give my surgeon all the credit.
Tracy
going to have quad bypass on the 30th we'll see how long it take the breast bone to heal.
Guys, I have had 3 rotator cuff repairs. 2 on the left 1 on right. AC joint removal on the right, both biceps are detatched. A broken neck has given me a cervical fusion and a herniated disk below it. 4 herniated disks in my back along with a broken vertebra, fractured hip amongst others. Seems like every year it's something, always wondering when enough is enough. I've had all the PT I can, I'm about the best I'm going to get I am told. I guess I'm just getting down with all the injuries and getting old. ...lol sure does Slow ya down
That new Silvertip u have on order should motivate u. Shes gonna be sweet.
QuoteOriginally posted by DesertDude:
going to have quad bypass on the 30th we'll see how long it take the breast bone to heal.
I had a heart valve replacement in March of 2013, it takes a while to heal enough to even think about pulling a hunting bow. I was pulling kids bows and up to 40lbs by fall but hunted with the smoke pole that season. To light for my liking but know big deal I healed up fine and got used to it, I was ready by turkey season and pulling 57#.
Tracy
Man that's tough. May start with just a couple pounds and see how much movement you have. If you can work your way up to 30, that's a good shooting bow with matched arrows. If not, you'll just have to make that decision do you wanna quit or try other types of bows. Good luck !!!
I lost a year with a torn rotator cuff and bone spur. Surgery made it like new.
Good luck Gary. I'll be back soon. Hopefully you are well enough to shoot together.
Valley, you may have to drop way down in weight to shoot 3-D and targets. For hunting you may have to go to the ole crossbow. I'd do that before giving up entirely.
I guess I'll have to get used to shooting less arrows that's all
Used to be able to shoot 50-100 per day. Now if I get 36 in I'm doing good
I had a lot of work done on my shoulder eight months ago. My collarbone had to be cut back, bicep tendon reattached and rotator cuff sewn in a number of places. I'm at a point where I'm shooting with a hunting weight bow again.
I'm not sure what your injuriy is, but you'll be surprise what you can come back from with the proper therapy and/or surgery.
I shoot every other day now. Give those muscles a rest, just like weight lifting.
I think I'll try the every other day shooting schedule
A herniated disk in my neck took me out of shooting for 5 months, and away from hunting weight bows for 10 months. 3 years later I'm still not shooting as many arrows as I did before the injury, but all is good and I feel I'm shooting as accurately as ever.
I did a bone-head thing and chopped off the last 1" of my right ring finger in a tractor cooling fan and feared I would be shooting lefty thereafter.
Kat (Ken T.) sold me a left-hand Bob Lee Red Wing Hunter (for too little) and I got so I was almost there shooting left hand. Good enough that I hunted left-hand that year (no opportunities).
But happily the stub tip had been reattached and I got back to almost 100%. It is still a little numb but has full strength and motion.
Shooting left was also an opportunity to relearn and rethink much of what I was doing - right and wrong. It really opened my eyes on form.
I have "severe" osteoarthritis in my neck and that is no real problem. But the arthritis I am getting in my shoulder and elbow joints is unpleasant though not limiting . . . yet. I tend to be more cautious when shooting that I have stretched first.
There are some very effective exercises for most sports injuries, talk to your physical therapist and ask to get you started. Rotator cuff injuries are mostly preventable with the right exercise. Good luck.
You may want to look at accubow.
https://www.accubow.com/collections/accubow-archery-training-device/products/rick-carone-signature-series-accubow
I am considering buying one myself.
I tore labrum and ruptured bicep tendon on left shoulder in 2015. Also took 2 bone spurs from joint. Last summer, tore labrum in right shoulder. Had repaired in February this year. Resected bicep tendon, removed 1 inch bone spur from clavicle, fused acromion to shoulder. Ruptured longhead bicep tendon sometime after surgery and not getting it fixed again.
Also have titanium plate in neck to fuse c5-c7 vertebrae and two completely deflated vertebrae in lower back.
Accubow looks like a good tool to work from 10 pounds on up and can draw right or left handed. Might be good tool for a lot of people. Good luck!
You can make your own training aid with a long piece of pvc pipe, eye bolts, and a string. Lengthening or shortening the pvc will allow you to increase weight as needed.
Funny this came up as I'm having surgery tomorrow morning on my bow arm shoulder to remove a bone spur thats rubbing my rotator cuff muscle and 'manipulate' my shoulder to break free my shoulder where its tightened up from the bone spur irritation - haven't been able to shoot my bow since March 20....Doc says I should be back to normal within 90 days.....Not looking forward to the surgery but gotta do it so I can shoot my bow again lol......
Log splitter right smack in the middle of my Palm and cut off every finger except the thumb. Just broke it and had 2 pins each finger ,Cut all the tenons ,artery's and almost bled to death . Praise be to God for good Dr.s at Union Memorial hospital in Baltimore Md.
I shoot with that hand but limited movement .
I had tenons removed from left leg and ankle area so I can have feeling in that hand as well.
L-5 S 1 fusion and rods/screws are still in my back.
I hunt on ground most of the time in a Huntmore 360 .
When I severed my right hand or should I say when my brother in law severed it by pushing the lever when I put log on I beam it took about 2 years before I could really pick up anything and lots of therapy.
Therapy worked and that was in 1985 and I was in my early 20's then.
I'm seeing I'm not the only one in a bad situation
Still a bitch, but can't give up I guess. I've been shooting bow and bowhunting my whole life. At one time the Doc told me I would have to give it up. I hope I never have to
Total shoulder replacement (bow arm) in 2014. Still not as strong as I need to be......shooting a pretty light bow, tho, as much as possible.
Pretty much lost the sight in my right eye. Switched to left hand, and feel bummed about it every once in a while, but after reading your list of problems......
There is always someone that has it worse.
Hang in there and keep the faith. It is amazing what you can do with enough imagination.