Rotator cuff surgery is a pretty good surgery. I had it almost 20 years ago and have been great ever since. There is no such thing as a minor tear -- all tears get worse with time.

Cortizone is GREAT for bursitis.

Hint......take the offered pain meds, or you won't sleep the night you get the shot.  It'll feel GREAT..............until that evening.

I really enjoy the commentary both fun filled and insightful.  I was not completely clear on the injurys cause or you guys were not listening.  I did NOT hurt my shoulder shooting heavy bows,  I just was inquiring if anyone had fully recovered from a torn rotator cuff to shoot heavy bows again.  After the injury I could not pull any bow back not even a 45 lb yew selfbow I was tillering for a nephew.  I just wanted to get an idea on treatment vs recovery.  I run hard and stay in great shape, that will not change.  I want to keep enjoying all the sports I love and that includes combat sports.
I think it is a small price to pay compared to sitting around in a puddle of self-pity and twinkies waiting for the bright light.

Granite....

The problem with most shoulder injuries is.....you hardly ever know, exactly, when your injury occurred.

I played baseball, through college, as a catcher.  I played my last baseball game in 1986.  I had rotator cuff surgery in 1999.  Reckon when I hurt it, though?  

The worst my back ever went out......occurred while I was brushing my teeth.  I don't suppose my scrubbing caused that, either.

I'm not saying heavy poundage bows WILL cause injuries.  I'm just saying they could be..........slowly.

NO kick on heavy bows.  If I thought I needed to shoot a heavier poundage bow, I'd work into it.  Kudos if you need it and can pull it off (without hurting yourself).

Good luck to ya.

QuoteOriginally posted by Granite Mtn:
... I want to keep enjoying all the sports I love ...

I couldn't even lift a spoon after tearing my cuff- which is why I mentioned giving attention to those supporting muscle groups that do not get enough training even by guys like you and me who are in great shape. Prevention is worth a lot of cure. The prob is that our stronger shoulder groups protect them for awhile and then by sloppy technique (insert activity here) we injure it.
Bursitus is a good warning sign that your shoulder(s) cannot handle what you are throwing at them presently, given how you train.

Just sayin'... and welcome to the "new you"! ;0)

Joshua