Man was I ever suprised today when I took my youngest and a good friend with me to go do some shooting. You see I injured my right shoulder 2 months ago, and finally went to the doctor after 6 weeks of pain. She told me I tore some tendons that connect my muscles. I have been having trouble drawing my bow, but I just limited my activity so as not get any bad habits started.
Well today, I pulled up my bow for the first shot, and I couldn't even pull my bow back 6" I was floored. I let down, and tried again with the same results. My longbow is 57# @ 28", so I borrowed a 45# Kodiak Hunter and got a couple shots off with that one, but once I got home, I was finding it difficult to get to anchor with that one.
I just wanted to share with you my pain, and to hopefully motivate someone that injures themselves, to seek help sooner than I did. Believe me, you don't want to find out you can't draw your own bow. It's a humbling experience.
You know I have shoulder problems like a whole bunch
Of guys on this web sight. Seems to me that all us
He-men are trying to shoot weight we don't need
when 45 pounds would do.
Broke my left shoulder a few years back in a motorcycle accident. I nursed it and didnt even try to draw a bow for months. I knew I could hurt it worse if it wasnt ready. I started back with a 20 pound fiberglass bow and shot it very conservatively for about a month. I then worked up to a 40 pounder and was able to hunt with that the last couple weeks of the season that year. It is not worth it to push it. Put the bow away for a few weeks and nurse the shoulder. Get a light weight bow and plan on shooting and possibly hunting with it this season. If you play your cards right you will be good as new sooner.
I'm wishing you the best and a quick recovery my friend! It's terrible getting old ain't it? :banghead:
QuoteOriginally posted by Cookus:
I'm wishing you the best and a quick recovery my friend! It's terrible getting old ain't it? :banghead:
You ain't Chitin.
Hey Mike, the doc just told me I have bursitis in my shoulder. Said to put heat on it for 10 minutes before shooting and an anti-inflammatory. Then alternate heat and ice after shooting. Seems to help. Good luck.
been on an anti-inflammatory for 2 weeks, and still can't roll over on my right side. I have to go in for a recheck in 4 weeks, and if not better then off to a specialist.
Got the heating pad on it right now.
I just had a total SLAP surgery on my shoulder and then some just a week ago...all from a work injury I had in jan 2010...couldnt do anything until last week on my shoulder due to other serious injuries...in a cast/sling for 5 more weeks then more PT (already been doing PT since day after surgery) for minumum of 6 months so take it easy and do what Dr. tells or reccomend before you get like me then you still wont be able to shoot and then you spend even more time on the TG site wishing you could do what ever body is doing...telling you it gets very frustrated....get a mri done...its possible to dislocate your rotater cuff and pop back in and tear your laberun all at the same time and not know it happen...get all the test if possible..will save you all the frustration in long run...my big goal this year is to hopefully hunt and shoot a bow and modify my cane so i can walk and get around in the woods....good luck
It is too easy to overlook the early signs of problems with the rotator cuff. Problems develop with age when the arm bone rubs in the socket.
You may feel it when you raise your arm, above your shoulder, or lay on it when sleeping. At first the pain is hardly noticeable, but it gradually gets worse, until their is a tear in the rotator cuff. At that point, it usually means surgery and an extended rehab program.
Don't ignore the early signs, get to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. In my case, the doc referred me to a physical therapist, and he showed me some simple exercises to strength the rotator cuff muscles, and after about five months, I was able to shoot pain free.
Ignoring the pain is not the solution. Self diagnosis is not the answer either, get help.
Mike take it easy let it rest and heal. More time for arrow making. Still enjoy shooting with the kids! You just get to work the launcher that's all. Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend!
Those shoulder problems arent fun...but giving it a little rest and working your way back up slowly will do wonders. U will be back to normal in no time. I wish u the best!!
Torn tendons usually don't heal by themselves. I think you'll have to have them surgically repaired by an orthopedic surgeon.
Mike I am so sorry to read about your shoulder.
I got your back buddy and will be speaking to "The Great Healer" on your behalf.
Do what the drs tell you and I will be praying for a swift and complete recovery.
God bless,Mudd
The ironic part of the whole thing is that I was at the gym trying to get in better shape so I would be able to shoot better and more confidently. Sammy Hagar came on the radio, and I thought I was stronger than I actually am, now I am paying the price.
Mike, I feel for you. Have the Docs do their best. Had shoulder surgery 3 years ago. Torn Rotator, bone spurs and torn Biceps tendon. What we do to ourselves. Healed for 6 months and started slowly. Went very well, started at 30# @ 28. Have been shooting between 57# @ 27" (my draw length) and 45# @ 27". Before injury and surgery, I shot a Skookum LB 75# @ 28". Only problem I have had is over shooting, to many arrows. I was down for 3 weeks and had to work up again, find your limits. Take her slow Mike and good luck. Praying for you.
Mike, that sounds about like what I had. Doc put in a couple of screws to tie the tendons down while they healed and hopefully grew back to the bone. It took quite a while, well over a year, before I was able to start gaining any appreciable strength in my left arm. It took much longer before I could really start to shoot again. Then I snapped a bicep tendon in the other arm so I got more rest for the shoulder while that surgery healed. I'm gradually creeping up in bow weight to where I was before. Whether you have surgery or not, listen to your physical therapist and follow their directions. I had a really good one and he kept me on track for recovery. Good luck with it and don't get discouraged. It can be a tough recovery.
Mike I forgot to tell you that there is most definitely light at the other end of the tunnel.
I had a motorcycle accident that tore two muscles into and broke two tendons where they attach to the bone.
I couldn't even lift my arm to brush my teeth or feed myself. I learned I could do a lot of stuff left handed..lol
They were able to sew the muscles back together and reattach the tendons. I was back to shooting a lighter weight bow a little sooner than my dr preferred..lol
I am living proof that there is hope.
God bless,Mudd
Just made appointment with orthopedic surgeon for tomorrow to see what the problem really is. Right now, I am not to happy with my normal doctor. She gave me a 30 day supply of pills and said come back, and I don't see it getting any better. If anything it got worse.
get it looked at and get well soon
QuoteOriginally posted by BUFF:
get it looked at and get well soon
Have no fear Marty, we will be there come he'll or high water.
Mike, find the best Orthopedic in your area get it fixed as fast as you can,so you will be ready for fall hunting.I fell off a roof last Memorial Day weekend.Blew up my roto cuff and tore my bicept in two on my right side.Doc put me back together and said forget shooting your bow that I will only get back about 70 percent after fully healed.When Oct.came no way could I pull my bows not even close.I did borrow a 50# wheely and could shoot fairly good as long as the deer did not get right under me.Killed 2 deer in Nov.then in january I bought a 46# BW recurve took 2 javelina with it in March and now back to shooting 50-55# all the time.So like I said get it fixed ASAP and get on the road to recovery. I can still not lift my arm over my head,but I can shoot my bows.Good Luck to You my friend.
I've had problems with my shoulders for years. My left shoulder has really been given me troubles this year. I went to the Dr. ,And he assured me that it wasn't the rotator cuff,but the therapists he sent me to told me about
"A little bone spur "
it's so small it shouldn't be given you troubles "Shouldn't be given me troubles" That's their words, But I'm down to a 36 # bow, And it gives me a little bit trouble to get to 27 inches,I'm normally a 29 inch draw, I'm afraid that little bone spurs is pushing on nerves and it's not so little, I've worked therapy for it for about a month and 1/2 now ,With no improvement. They may have to take that sucker out, I want to wait until January !
But I hear you guys clearly "Don't wait "
Carl
Partial tears can heal themselves with the right PT regiment. Full thickness tears require surgery. Pretty simple so warm up the shoulders before shooting, loosen up really good. Full thickness tears will never get better, no sleeping on the injured side, no easy "parade rest" position. I've got a discrete full thickness tear & will see the doc in a couple days. Been practicing shooting lefty & will hunt that way if a have to/can. I've never had surgery, broken bone, etc. so didn't really think that just because I'm 53 now, that anything would really change; never warmed up much when younger, so on. Just the way it goes. Good luck,
Eddie P.
Mike, I'm sorry to hear that!!
Wish you the best...and will pray to that end.
It won't be the end of your bow-shooting days.....
I dealt with a repeateldy dislocated shoulder for years (before starting trad), then wrecked a motorcycle on the same shoulder. Tore ligaments, and had to have the shoulder capsule rebuilt. Time in total lockdown: 8 weeks immobilization!
After the 8 weeks---the arm would not move an inch!! PT and rehab---it works; do what they say--ALL OF IT!
I now shoot a 62# recurve and also a 54# longbow which is lately becoming my "go to bow", not because of pain or problems--jsut because it shoots so darn good!
Get checked out.....get it fixed.....and keep yer head up. It will not be the end ! :archer:
Just got back from the doc, and set me up for a MRI on Thursday. Also told me no bow shooting till he has the results. That's the hardest part, because I just want to keep going to see if I am able to draw my bow yet. Such is life. I promise to do exactly as instructed.
I have already decided to order a new set of RER longbow limbs, now I am just waiting to hear back from Kevin or Sue.
I'm with you Mike. Just had my shoulder repaired last Wed. Actually feels pretty good being only 6 days into it. Had a tendon fixed and a bone spur taken down. Also had 2-sists taken out. I start PT next week. He told me I would be ready in time for my bear hunt in August. I will be going if I have to take my daughters 30# bow.lol
As Mudd stated,there is light at the end of the tunnel. Best of luck to you.
Bad part is I have a new Liberty Contender coming real soon and all I can do is look at it. Maybe I could send it to one of you all to hang onto for me. :saywhat:
Like that is really going to happen. :bigsmyl:
Mike
Looks like I have a bunch of bows that I can now say...I used to be able to shoot those.
When I hurt my shoulder, I just let it go. Soon after I had a numbing in my arm that went to my fingers. The doctor gave me a shot of cortisone and told me to rest it. Instead of listening when I stopped hurting I went right back.
20 years ago I had to pull 70# or I was not happy. Well now that I am older and my testosterone doesn't have to do all the thinking. I am now pulling 45# and it is good for both 3D and hunting. There is something to be said about getting old.
so as long as i dont over do it. I am good
When you see the doc ask about Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP). It is what they use on all the pro athletes who have tendonitis, tennis elbow, etc. It uses your own blood and is a twenty minute procedure.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:
When you see the doc ask about Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP). It is what they use on all the pro athletes who have tendonitis, tennis elbow, etc. It uses your own blood and is a twenty minute procedure.
There is two possible amnswers if you ask, and one if you don't.
It can't hurt to ask. I will do that Bill.
Mike,
Sorry to hear about your problem, but am glad you went to see an ortho. My brothers and I tried to get my Dad to see a doctor about a sore shoulder and after several years, he did, once the pain got too bad. He had a large bone spur that caused a rotator cuff tear. I have had a few orthos tell me since that bone spurs are a common cause of rotator cuff tears. Good luck and let us know what the Dr. says.
Good luck Mike. I had rotator cuff and bicep tendon repairs on January 26th. I've been pulling my 53#@28" (I draw 29.5") for about 3 weeks now. Still a bit tender and weak so accuracy suffers a bit while I rebuild the strength. I was glad when the doc and physical therapist both cleared me to pull my bow. The doc had indicated 4-5 months after surgery before I could pull a light bow, so pulling my shrew after only 3 months was great news. Good luck if you have the surgery. A speedy recovery is possible.
Mike sorry to hear this. You are right it is never good ignore a problem and hope it goes away. Tracey and I will praying your recovery goes well
Mike, I've been through the shoulder surgery thing, torn rotator cuff, tendon reattachment and 4 or 5 other things. It's coming up on my 3 year anniversary and am happy to say my shoulder is 100% and you can barely tell where the incisions were. Whichever direction it's decided you should go FOLLOW your doc's instructions to a tee. Prayers for your quick healing!
I feel your pain.. I am doing therapy and seems to early to tell if it's helping.. I can shoot 45lb@28 fine but after a while I can't reach full draw. Now I shoot 30 shots a day. If I can't reach full draw I skip that day without even firing a shot just so I don't get a habit.. I just focus draw to anchor hold and let down several times.. That's it.
I am hoping to get my shoulder close to normal but even then I will stick to bows under 50lbs..
It's been a real challenge for me to keep consistant at 25 yards! I will continue to work my shoulder but only time will tell if it gets better..
I hope the best for you..