Clavicle pain Drawing Side

Bowwild · January 17, 2015, 03:35:00 PM

On the 27th of December I helped my son with some heavy furniture lifting/moving (sectional). The next morning when I tried to shoot my bow I started like I always do; 1/4 draw, 1/2 draw, 3/4 draw, then full. I didn't get to 1/4 draw before I had very sharp pain in the drawing arm side of my clavicle and neck.

It has been 20 days now and the pain persists. I also experience an unpleasant "pop" feeling in the clavicle when I have my arm above my head and lower it.

I'm going to the doc on Monday to see what's going on. I'm supposed to be booking a 5-person (family/friends) bear hunt any day (Idaho) but I don't want to put down a deposit if I'm not going to be able to shoot.

Anyone deal with similar?

tom cunningham · January 17, 2015, 04:27:00 PM

When I was having issues I had some relief by starting my draw below shoulder level... that seemed to take some stress off. Also went to a very light bow for awhile...good luck.

nineworlds9 · January 17, 2015, 04:31:00 PM

You probably strained a ligament or tendon in your rotator cuff/ clavicular joint. STOP bow drawing activities immediately. When this happens there are micro tears that can happen and lead to further damage and chronic issues if you do not address it immediately. Ice the area down for 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes of heat...this helps reduce pain and encourage blood flow. See your doctor as soon as you can. Depending on the diagnosis he may recommend an MRI to get an idea of the extent of any issues. Good luck and rest that shoulder! Remember- ice, then heat.

Bowwild · January 17, 2015, 06:53:00 PM

Whoops, sorry I posted this in the wrong forum! You can tell where I go to first on Trad Gang.

I don't know how to move a thread to the Pow Wow or I'd do it.

Thanks Chuck. I plan to see the doc on Monday. I'm 61 and I've found that some of the docs are difficult to motivate to help someone my age remain active. Then I explain the importance of archery too me.

I've watched my best friend of 40 years lose archery over the past two years; first cancer and now a frozen shoulder. The impact on his morale is profound.

RLA · January 17, 2015, 07:05:00 PM

Back in August I was experiencing the same issue you're describing. It has taken until now, four months to fully recover. It was a real scare for me. I stopped shooting completely for about six weeks, maybe more and it really showed in the early part of my deer season. I've since dropped bow weight from 55# down into the mid 40#'s and don't plan on going back up. No need to risk it.
I don't have the insurance or cash for MRI's and doctors, so I did a lot of self diagnosing research. All the symptoms point to a ligament strain, can't remember the proper name of witch one it was. Good luck, I can tell you it really stinks not being able to shoot. I shot injured longer than I should have. I'm sure that made recovery take longer. I finally just said I gotta stop and hope this get's better.

pdk25 · January 17, 2015, 09:18:00 PM

I damaged my distal clavicle pulling a saddle off of a bucking horse. Hurt to shoot my bows, but I did. Wound up with the distal 3/4" of my clavicle necrotic and very inflamed. Had to have surgery on my knee, so had them scope the shoulder as well. They did what is called a lapsrascopic Mumford procedure. Basically ground off nearly an inch off my clavicle. Rotator cuff and labrum were fine. I am good as gold now, but it would have been cheaper to back off from shooting and let it heal. Was able to shoot my lighter bows 7 days after the surgery, so at least I didn't miss much hunting time, lol.

njloco · January 18, 2015, 10:08:00 AM

If it's nerve pain, Forces of Nature nerve pain formula, you can also use Arnica Montana in different forms. If it's been more than 48 hours, put the magnets off the fridge on the area that's hurts.
Go see a good chiropractor.

Mike Vines · January 18, 2015, 10:35:00 AM

This has worked wonders on me when I feel pain in my shoulder...

In all seriousness, stop shooting, and do as you said, go see your doctor. Shoulder pain is something that either has hit us all, or will in the future. I had a similar issue a few years ago. Overnight, I lost the ability to draw my bow. Scared the crap out of me, but 2 1/2 months later I was back to normal.

Mike Vines · January 18, 2015, 10:35:00 AM

Double post

njloco · January 18, 2015, 03:05:00 PM

Mike that's funny, if you have to use that to shoot,
You really have issues

Stump73 · January 19, 2015, 09:29:00 AM

I hope you get good news and heal quickly and completely

Mike Vines · January 19, 2015, 08:04:00 PM

Well, what was the prognosis? Hopefully it is just a break from exercise to allow you to get back to shooting again.