Back in the Saddle!

[Autumnarcher]

Seems like forever since shooting my bow was a pleasant experience,and didnt cause me a good amount of pain in my bow arm elbow.

A long and frustrating hunting season last fall, and finally to the point I just couldnt shoot.
Over a year battling tendonitis,and I had enough. Surgery was April 12th, Doc cleaned up a badly inflamed extensor tendon, with a tear to boot.

Been doing PT for the past month, and my elbow and forearm are feeling so much better. No pain.
Certain actions, such as lifting something with my palm down still causes a little discomfort on occasion, but no pain. Strength is really coming back well.

Being I recieved my newest Thunderstick a couple weeks ago, it was killing me to shoot it and come up with the right arrow combination. I still put my arm band on to shoot, and limit my shooting, but thus far Ive been able to tune and bare shaft tune some arrows WITH NO PAIN!!!!

Officially, I havent been cleared by the Doc, but I know my own body wel enough to know when things are on the right track. It really feels good, and while Im gonna go easy on it for a while yet, Im so happy to be well over the hump, and able ENJOY shooting my bows again.

I wouldnt wish what Ive been through on any archer.

That bent stick sure feels good in my hand again.

[JohnnyWayne]

Welcome back  

I sure do pray I don't have to travel that path but stories like this give me hope if I do  

[GRINCH]

congrats and glad your pain free.  

[bendbig]

[Mudd]

This is awesome John!

I pray that things continue to heal and you can get back to your old form.

God bless,Mudd

[Gene Hall]

I'm battling tendonitis in both elbows.  I have had some success with cortizone shots for the 1st couple of years, but the last one didn't take.  I sure would hate to have surgery, but I'm 60 years old and I only have so much time left.  Question, how did you finally decide that surgery was the right course?

[Hot Hap]

Congradulations on being back.
Hap

[GWV]

Hope you continue to heal.

[ron w]

Take your time and work up slow.......good to hear your doing fine!

[longbowben]

Yes welcome back, glad to here your on a speedy recovery.Now lets see some action photos.  

[Autumnarcher]

Gene, after over a year of the Dr's motrin and hope program, and no impprovement, I was tired of taking pills daily that werent doing anything.

I consulted a sports medicine Dr, and had an MRI done. I had told my Dr u thought something was torn, and the MRI confirmed I had a slight tear of the extensor tendon. Pills arent gonna fix that, so I scheduled the surgery.

My wife had an elbow flare up after cutting firewood, and she mentioned it to her chiroprector who adjusted her elbow and the pain went away. So you may want to look in to that first.

Tendonitis is actually small micro tears in the extensor tendon, which cause pain and inflammmation. Over time the tendon gets irritated and kind of frayed. the surgery I had goes in a cleans all that junk off the tendons, allowing them to heal. PT consisting of strtching and strengthening ofthe forearm muscles will get you back in shape.

I recommend if you have had it a while and getting no where, find a good sports medicine specialist.

i didnt shoot at all the last 2 days, this morning my arm is a little tight, so I wont shoot today, just stretch it and do some exercises. Im taking slowly, but I can shoot a little here and there. Im down to only taking 1 motrin a day if its a little sore, maybe 2-4 times a week at the most. I hoe to be totally off motrin by mid summer. My liver will thank me. Good luck to you.

[KyStickbow]

Congrats man...glad to hear everything is going well!!!

[straitera]

Good enough John. Take it easy & have fun. Shoot straight. Welcome back.

[joekeith]

     Congrats......to be pain free would be a wonderful thing, enjoy it.

[Terry Lightle]

Great news,keep us informed on your progress

[StanM]

Hey John, really, really happy for you.  Good luck chasing elk this Fall!

[crotch horn]

Great news. Happy for you !!!

[JDunlap]

Way to hang in there and get back in the saddle!

[BOWMARKS]

   

[T Folts]

Good deal John
I have been fighting this in my elbow as well, hopefully I wont have to go this route, I get times of relief and it flares back up so we will see. I built a light set of limbs for my bow so that has helped..
Terry