I'm having a problem with my a-c joint in that it keeps popping/snapping when I draw a bow back. This is in my drawing shoulder not my bow arm shoulder. The first time this happened was four years ago, made a loud snap, it was sore for a while then went back to normal. Then last summer it did it again and was sore for a while then ok. I'm in a archery league this winter and for the last two weeks it's popping about 30% of the time and my shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand ache. I'm only shooting 52# and I'm not a small guy. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this and what they did about it. Thanks, Rob.

I have arthritis in mine. It was bad enough that my husband got me a Lady Kodiak 25# bow. I know it is arthritis because I WENT TO A DOCTOR AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED.

Even when there is a doctor in this house, he or she cannot give you advice unless they examine you and get X-rays. (Unless they advise you to go see a doctor.)

Killdeer  

I'm not looking for free medical advice ,I simply wondered if anyone else went thru this and how they coped with it. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

Rob, I had he same thing. I had a lot of bone spurs and lots of arthritis. The only way I could deal with mine was surgury. I also had a torn labrum. I was very glad that I had the surgury! Shawn

Rob, remember what a problem I had last year with my shoulder. I'd go to a osteopath that specializes in shoulders. Mine was encapsulated and arthritic, but with out xrays hard to tell what your problem is. The shoulder is the most complex joint we have (or so the Doctor told me).

I had a similar problem with mine. Chiropractic helped and I got a Should Horn workout tool that helps isolate certain shoulder muscles. It was like night and day after I started using that a couple of times a week in my exercise program. Now there is no popping and no soreness issues.

There's an interesting article in this mornings New York Times (17th) about Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy where they take a portion of a patient's blood and inject it directly into the injured area to promote healing. I'm wondering how the application of this could help archer's with shoulder and joint conditions.

Had my left ac joint removed back in December. Really seemed to make a difference. Broke my collar bone 3 weeks later so I can't say yet if it was the solution

I agree with everyone else.... See a doc, or at least a PT. I went to a PT and mine was cured with ice and NSAID, ( Aleve ). I had tendonitis and was severely inflammed. The ice three times a day for 20 minutes and two Aleves a day and three weeks later I was good. Do not discount something as simple as ice. I was amazed how much better I was after 4-5 days of strict icing three times a day. They don't ice down those million dollar pitchers in the majors for nothing !!! JMHO

nocams  

I feel ya.  I have a SLAP tear in my right shoulder.  In a nutshell: I tore the piece of cartilage in my shoulder, called a labrum, in three places.  Only surgery will fix it but I don't have the time yet.  So for now I cycle on and off the heavier bows.

i hurt my ac joint in the gym 25 yrs ago ,orthopedic suegeon said it needed surgery then, also kept it tore up shooting heavy compounds. laid off the gym for a couple years & it got worse.decided to get back in the gym and build up the muscles real good in my shoulders to try to support the shoulder joints,seems to have worked strength wise but the popping never goes away,i still feel some pain every so often,especially since ive been kind of hit & miss in the gym here lately. got so bad (before i got back in the gym)that i couldnt pull my shirt up over my head with right arm.still shoot med heavy longbows 65lbs @ 28".

I'd start by getting a script from your primary care physician for outpatient OT or PT.  See if they can alleviate your sx.  
If necessary, ask for their recommendations on a surgeon for your shoulder.  They will know, based on outcomes, who they would recommend/not recommend.  
If it is truly your AC, you may be able to control sx with ice, NSAIDS, and therapy.  If you have a lot of bursitis, a subacromial decompression may be appropriate.