Help!!! Shoulder Problem

[Stringdancer]

Monday was opening day, and a doe walked by, and I drew, but my bow arm colapsed... I have no pain, but I can't hold my bow at full draw. My arm (left) feels heavy to lift, and weak. While showering a few weeks ago, I heard a snap in my back between my neck and shoulder blades, and could not move my neck without pain, and now this, and think they may be related... I am going to the Doc, but wonder if anyone may have had this happen to them, and what the outcome was? It's even worse when I cant the bow......

[twotimer]

my eldest son had the same problem.left arm went heavy,weak,no strength.had the nerve test,it was fine,mri was next,tore rotator cuff,and a cyst had formed to protect the injury.had surgery,fixed the tear,scraped the cist down,outpatient surgery,immobile for 4 weeks,physical therapy,said he could go back to archery maybe late dec.had surgery first of sept.get it checked out.god luck.robert

[doeboy]

im going throught hte same thing now but it looks like i have a C6 bulging disc in my neck from an injury 3 years ago. Arm is week shoulder pain,neck pain, and no shooting my brand new widow! i can barely pull my wheely bow! get it looked at.

[limbow]

Doeboy,

I have a similar condition as you however my C6 is herniated and the C5/C7 are bulging. I went through a rigorous physical therapy program as well as a series of 3 Epidural pain block shots in my C5 region. This was 5 years ago and I am 80-90% depending on the weather. Inquire about a pain block epidural--See a neuro surgeon for this injury, an orthopedic will want to operate sooner than later, which for me was not an avenue I wanted to pursue first.

[Stringdancer]

Thanks all... I'm trying to get a apointment with my Doc but he can't see me for a week, time to look for another Doc,I think. What about a Chiropractor?

[Frenchymanny]

A doctor, and fast!
Nerve damage is always bad.

Good luck,
F-Manny

[limbow]

NO on the chiro--IMO. Some neuro doc's will not even see you if you have been to a chiro, my neuro surgeon included. Just my 2 cents.

[svenska]

I had the same thing..my doc said he could give me pain killers if I needed them and some muscle relaxers, but a chiropractor could help now. Three visits and mine was back to normal...no pills

[BigArcher]

I had terrible weakness on one side.  Same type of thing couldn't pull my bow cause the bow arm would hold the bow out. The MRI said herniated disc in neck.  
See a doctor but keep trying to work out and keep good supply of blood flooding the area.  I did and never had the surgery.  Shooting just fine now.

BigArcher

[Stringdancer]

Thanks everyone, I'm on my way to the Doc right now, and I'll let you know how it turns out.

[BRONZ]

I'm going to concur with most everyone:  probably a cervical spine issue causing impingement.  I would recommend an MRI to see if surgery or physical therapy would be warranted.  If you're lucky, just some time with PT in some cervical traction could put you back on stand.

BTW, love your avatar.  Jack Paluh's stuff is incredible.

[hunt it]

Almost 70% of shoulder pain is neck related. See what Doc tells you. You might want to invest couple hundred $$ in an inversion table. Hanging upside down few times a day does wonders to straighten out spine and cures many bad backs and necks.

[Stringdancer]

Thanks everyone, but it doesn't look good. I have a pinched nerve in my neck, and a torn rotator. Looks like the season is over for me before it ever really started.

Doc told me a cortizone shot would have me hunting in a day or two, but I would only cause more damage using my shoulder, and shooting my bow. I'm really down right now, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do..... Boy I'm ready to sell everything, this really stinks.

[LongStick64]

Hold fast my friend, Repair the rotator cuff, surgery will probably be the answer with a good 6-8 months of solid physical therapy. Your not done but on hold for a while. I would avoid the cortizone as well. It is actually one of the reasons why athletes choose to use anabolic steroids vs cortizone. The anabolic do a much better job stengthening the joint. I'm not suggesting you do that. Find a good surgeon.

[Butch L]

Hi Guys and Gals. This is my first post on here,Just breaking into Traditional Archery(lighter bow and looks more enjoyable). OK that's out of the way. String Dancer, I feel for you, been bow hunting for approx 10 yrs. now , 2 yrs in I have my 1st surgury on my back. Since that time I am up to surg. 9 approx 2 weeks ago to implant my 2nd nerve stimulator(1st stopped working properly). Went in yesterday to program it-NG- can't get good coverage. So far I have lost 5 hunting seasons to surguries. I have titanium from L2 thru S1. If it does not work out at next visit the next thing on agenda could be another surgury to implant a med pump(non narcotic). So all that to say, do what the Dr.s say ,but make sure it's a Neeurosurgeon and not an Orthopod. Only try a Chiroprator if Dr. says to (mine insists on it). Loosing 1 season is easier than trying to salvage this year at the expense of some or all the future seasons. I have not given up hope that I'll be back in the woods in a year or so(modified of course). I'll keep you in my prayers that you have a quick and speedy recovery.
            Butch L.

[red44]

Come-on now Mike, no need to sell everything. I understand it's ps-poor timing with deer season finally here, but you'll be able to get back after them next season when they're a little fatter. I'll think of it as Stringdancer's QDM.
Get the shoulder and pinched nerve repaired, follow the good Dr's orders bro. I feel for you man, but you can bounce back from this. I know it.