Well, recovery from my double knee replacement is going fantastic. My surgeon tells me that I am well ahead of where he expected me to be. On a visit last week he said he felt I could do most any kind of hunt this fall that I wanted to do! That's the good news...
Having worked construction for 40+ years pulling wrenches, running 1"-2" air impacts, beating hammer wrenches with sledges, I have had some hand pain over the years. About a month after surgery, I started having some pretty bad swelling in my hands and some pain and swelling in my deltoids. I figured it was a result of using my arms so much during my knee replacement recovery. It has stayed the same and on some days, maybe a little worse.
Physical therapist says I have some damage to my right rotator cuff, which we are addressing and it is responding well. The numbness and swelling in the hands? We don't know. I did a round of steroids that helped, but didn't eliminate the swelling. Activity helps as much as anything, but it is painful to shoot more that a few arrows at a time.
X-rays  and blood test were inconclusive so far and I meet with a rheumatologist next month. I am hoping it is not rheumatoid arthritis. I would almost prefer an injury that can be repaired. I am scheduled for the Black Widow Bear Hunt at Squapan Mt. Outfitters in late August and I am going to do whatever it takes to go.
Keep me in your prayers fellars!

Good luck on your recovery. It is always something !!
Pain or no pain, swelling or no swelling I'd be going on that hunt.

Mike got you in my prayers.

Added to my list, Mike. RA is bad juju.

Praying

As far as anything shoulder related, the latest thing I have heard is hanging exercises are being used by pro athletes. For sure its worth checking out vs the knife if you can get some help from it.

I hear ya Mike, after a couple of knees and some issues with one of them I thought I was good to go...........I go to Florida for a month and 10 days into it my gall bladder goes south and I wind up getting it taken out. All most back to normal but it just never ends. Best of luck, stay active and take care.......  

There are a few releases for those with hand pain. Some are strap releases and there was another that resembled a tab but I can't remember the guy's name. He was on Tradtalk. There is also a guy named David Alford on *********** who has come up with a good release system but he won't show it to most people without a good reason. If you contact him perhaps he will give you his insights. He may be in Australia now tracking the Tasmanian Devil. Good luck with the recovery.

I had a woman at gym who was in her late 80's tell me......"You gotta be tough to get old", man she was right!!!

Mike,
I have had a lifetime of injuries that may not be as harsh as a lot of folks have to deal with...but extremely limiting to say the least.
Do not exclude the idea of using a release with your trad bow if that is the only way you can shoot until you figure this out. I went through something similar, ended up using a release and a wrist sling one year(I could not close either hand at the time)and I took a great smaller buck which made it one of my proudest trophies.
Do what you need to do my friend, just hunt!

Jee Wizz Mike! Hang tuff Bro!

Good luck man.  Just practice making those few shots you can do count.  Thats all you'll need on a bear, maybe think of it practicing as if you are on a real hunt.

We're rooting for you! Good luck on the bear hunt, hang in there.

Both knees at once, you are a strong minded person. I had my left one looked at, thank God, mild arthritis. Have they checked you hands for arthritis?  I had to give up my Hill style bow because my hand would hurt for a day. Even 800 grain arrows hurt.
I worked using my hands almost my whole working life so I can relate. And yes, getting old is not for the weak of mind or body.

 Get healed up .

That stinks Mike. Lemme know if I can do anything...

My Daughter gave me some magnesium oil to use on 2 ruptured discs I have in my thoracic spine, a fairly unusual location.  I thought it was snake oil, but had relief in less than 10 minutes.  Took it home, told my wife about it, so she rubbed some on her knee.  It worked so fast and well that she ordered a bunch on-line.  This was about a month ago, and we're still getting results.  She bought the purest oil she could find.  

Murray

Thank you to all for the prayers, concern and suggestions. I am looking into all my options.

Hang in there Mike...hope you find a quick and meaningful solution!!