Dropping bow weight to Arthritis

[Gator1]

I have a question: I recently discovered that I have Arthritis in my Right Shoulder, (RH Shooter).

I currently shoot high 40lb recurves/longbows.  I was wondering if anyone else has Artritis, and was wondering if dropping some pounds would make much Difference.  As I'm currently shooting 47-50lbs. I am not sure 4-5 pound drop would make a big difference?  I am doing Physical Therapy which has made a tremendous difference.

Thank you

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

welcome to the club,  I am shooting 44 these days and not having any issue killing stuff

[George D. Stout]

There are ways to maximize performance and not lose much at all.  Skinny strings, dynamic release (if not already utilized), maybe try an elevated rest if you currently shoot off the shelf.  Keep in mind  that lots of game has been taken efficiently with even sub forty pound bows.
Work particularly on accuracy and arrow placement.

[The Night Stalker]

Over the years I have went down in weight considerably. I am starting to feel the pain of stupid stuff I have done. From 65lbs to 60 to 58 to 53-54 to 50. The latest bow was ordered a coupole of weeks ago was 46@29inches. I am back to the weight I shot at 12yrs old when I first started shooting traditional. I am 45 years old and I want to be shooting at age 65-70. I really need bilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgeries. My MRI looks like s**t. I am holding off till I just cannot function any longer. Hopefully, I can find a weight and the pain will go away.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I shoot 46@28 on everything from small game up to Muledeer and 50@28 fot Elk and up.Blake

[joekeith]

If you need some scope work done, as soon as season is over get it done.  Then do the therapy.
Then just keep shootin'.  Keep it loose, if can.  Start low and work your way up to what's comfortable for you.  Don't OVERDO it, but keep doin' it.
Get used to arthritis, "just deal with it", that's what they told me 20 yrs. ago.  Good luck.

[smokin joe]

I am now shooting bows on the 47 to 50 pound range. My 60 pound limbs are gathering dust.
George is correct. There is a lot you can do. I have 2 bows that use fast-flight skinny strings they are 47 and 48 pounds and both shoot much faster than my older 50 pound Bear takedown with its B-50 string.
I had rotator cuff repair many years ago and my shoulders are getting arthritic again -- along with my spine. And I now have an artificial knee and hip to boot. If you need surgery, then get it done. That way you will get back to good performance and a pain-free life sooner.
I am not sure we get weaker as we age, but I am certain our joints get more prone to injury and arthritis.
If you can still handle 40-45 pounds you will be fine. There are plenty of bows that are very smooth that will keep you shooting in comfort for years to come. And you can maximize performance, as George said.
Keep shooting.

[Mr.Magoo]

I have a 44lb. Turkey Creek double carbon that shoots just as fast as my 50lb Horne Brush Bow with the same arrow.

As long as you're not going after Buffalo I wouldn't worry (then all you'd need is a single bevel anyway    :D ).

[Pinecone]

I have an impingement to deal with in my left shoulder, so I have a number of 40#-45# bows that I shoot whenever it begins to become painful.  I have shot several mature antelope and deer with 42# and 44# bows and they never knew what hit 'em.  In addition, that drop in weight from my regular bow weight of 47#, makes a huge difference in how my shoulder feels.  IMO, even a few pounds can make a significant difference in managing bow weight to specific physical limitations.

Claudia

[Spectre]

I broke my right scapula and my back about three years ago. The doc told me that I would never shoot my bows again----at least not like I was accustomed to shooting. I went down in weight for a while, but decided that I was BY GOD going to shoot my heavier bows again. I took on a workout regimen(of my own making), and spent a lot of time in the pool. My belief is that when the bones are bad, we have to make up for it with muscle structure. It works for me.

Make yourself a sloshpipe and give it a whirl.

[Spectre]

Rats..

[JEFF B]

yup Gator1 i have it in my spine and sholders and i shoot #45 bows and i still can feel it but not to bad other days it hurts like hell. but i just get on with it and dont do to much to hurt it. so low poundage bows are all right as they still get the job done.

[j.j.johnston]

I am there too.  I used to shoot recurves, 85@28 was my favorite.  Twenty two years later and I am trying to find a set of 50@28.  I should have been much kinder to my body, but I sure had fun.  If surgery is in the cards, do it get it over with and get back into the fun as soon as you are able.  You never know how many days to be here so do not waste a single one.

[lpcjon2]

Gator 1, just pop a Viagra when you want to hunt then you can shoot 70#  and drag out an elk with one hand...LOL

[SL]

I have a touch of arthritis in my left shoulder. I still shoot my 55 to 60lb bows but I have to work out some and stretch a bit before. I take a 10 lb hand weight and just let  my arm hang and rotate my shoulder some and it makes a world of difference.
SL

[Gator1]

Thanks for all the feedback.  

 

[JCJ]

I have shoulder issues too. I dropped from 70# and went as low as 39# at my 31" draw when things were really bad. I have worked my way back up to the mid-high 40#'s but I still feel the pain if I shoot too much. I have tried a bunch of different bows trying to find comfort and here is something I learned. Some bows build their draw weight early in the draw and others seem to gradually build the weight. The ones that build it gradually are much more comfortable for me too shoot no matter what the peak draw weight.

[centaur]

I have arthritis in my right shoulder and found it hard to draw my bows (55 to 60# range). I couldn't do a pushup because of the pain. I started taking glucosamine with chondroiton, and now I have full range of motion and no pain while shooting or exercising. I'm sold on the stuff. My wife had similar joint problems, and she is now back to being able to not hurt when she walks.

[Cherokee Scout]

Dr did MRI on my shoulder when I went in for pain. I have torn rotator and advanced arthritis. He said I need a slice and dice!
I am now shooting 40 lb with just a little pain.

I had two other operations in 2009 so I am going to put off the new slice and dice as long as I can.

[shadman]

Bummer Mitch. If that new bow of yours needs a work out you can send it my way. LOL Seriously, no fun but you learn to deal with it. I have it in my hands. I shoot lighter weight bows and need to take a deep hook. Ain't no way I'm quiting!