Olddogrib No way will I do a nerve bloc in my neck.  That sounds worse than the surgery!

With regard to cause & effect, how many of these injuries may be directly related to traditional archery?

The nerve block is a piece of cake, if a bit strange.

Tell her Susan, she'll thanks us when she misses out on all that nausea coming out from under general anaesthesia, lol. I will confide that I had one from an anaesthesiologist with the world's worst aim.  Hurt like heck, missed the nerve and numbed the whole side of my face...had to go the general route at the last minute because my number was up and the surgeon couldn't miss his tee time!  If they do it right, you don't feel a thing.

Sorry to hear it Katie.

I had shoulder surgery a couple of years ago, not as drastic as yours.  I met with the surgeon and told him, everything he does is in regards to me returning to bow hunting. I had a couple of rounds of PT for recovery. It did not get me where I wanted to be. I started pulling a light recurve when he said I was fixed and it was all he could do.  I wasn't fixed and had all but tears when I drew the bow.  I gutted through it and in about a week it got better. Took a while but I got back to my hunting weight.
Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands. But don't rush it and risk a setback.

Sound advice, see a doctor that treats sports injuries. And seek out a good PT unit that specializes in sports recovery.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Billy

Katie - I pitched baseball in college and tore my labrum but didn't get it operated on for 25 years. Unfortunately, they had to do mine twice as there was a 2nd tear.

My advice - get a good surgeon as mentioned above, do the PT and exercises exactly as recommended and take your time...patience really is a virtue.

I had one done in June and "tried" to bowhunt that fall. No chance, I carried it but never even pulled back.

I also bought a light weight bow and used that to build up to my normal hunting weight bows (52-65#), which I was able to handle the following season with no problem.

I personally slept in a recliner for about 6 weeks and take your medicines after the operation, don't chase the pain.

Best of luck.