I had a MRI on my shoulder today.........

[madness522]

That sucks Scott!  Can't offer any advise just a prayer for your recovery!

[trubltrubl]

I dislocated my shoulder in 1990 and as a result had a 1 inch tear in my labrum. I had surgery to the labrum and later a second surgery to fix the dislocation reoccurrence problem....my shoulder is awesome now...no problems....now my other shoulder has a torn rotator cuff( I used to play lacrosse, football, rodeo, hockey...you get the picture) that I put up with ...some day will need fixing. I think if you go to a good surgeon(do your homework on that) and you do the rehab...that is KEY ..I believe it really helps..Do shoulder excercises for your entire life and I believe you will be able to shoot until other body parts give up.

[JEFF B]

slayer i hope it goes well for you. i to have a  shoulder problem but it aint as bad as yours. well not yet anyway.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

What weight of bow is your primary shooter.

I am trying to get a feel on what some of the older guys are going through so I can avoid shoulder problems later.

One thing I have done this year is ordered a 40# bow for the off season. That way I can maintain form and practice without stress on my shoulder.

Paul

[2fletch]

I can't recommend any particular treatment or doctor, but when I start feeling any shoulder pain I'll either stop shooting for awhile or drop down in draw weight. If you can take an animal with a 40# bow than why use 70#? I try to shoot between 45-50# now but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I'd be proud to be still hunting at 90-95 years and shooting a 35-40# bow.

Good luck Scott. It sounds like you're talking with the right doctor already.


Don  

[Autodog]

I tore my front rotator cuff and long head of the bicep and had surgery August 18th. I am shooting bows in the 53-56 lb. range now without any problems. Started shooting again at 4 months after surgery. I started out shooting 3-5 arrows every 3 days or so. Do your therapy and start a strengthening program as soon as your PT gives you the OK. You will be fine.

[DennyK]

I had more wrong with my right shoulder then there was right with it. I had arthroscopic surgery 2 years ago to repair all the damage and to get rid of the arthritis and bone spurs. This was done on my bracing shoulder, I was shooting 50# in 2 months. I had a really good doc and recieved really good advise. The shoulder is back to 100% and there is very little to no evidence of the 5 incisions it took to be scoped. I'm glad I had it done. A word to the wise, if they offer you a nerve block after the surgery, TAKE IT! I did not have it and that was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Hope all goes well for you!

[finkm1]

I had the same thing last winter. " I think there may be a tear". I went to a orthopedic that specializes in sports med at Michigan State and she said it was just "shoulder impingement" 3 weeks of PT and I could shoot. It never quite went away. This winter both shoulders hurt, but with the exercises I learned at Pt I can still shoot.Take your time and make sure what is wrong before you really mess it up.

[BDann]

Don't jump the gun!  There may or may not be a tear in the labrum, so don't get too worked up about it yet.  Wait for the results to come in, and in the mean time, let it rest, use ice on it to reduce swelling and pain.  Use your head and don't do things that will aggravate it.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Dad had rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder two years ago in late winter (I want to say February).  He's 76 yrs old and right handed.  He skipped turkey season and followed Dr.'s advice and the home PT they told him to do.  He worked late in the first summer with light bows and got up to 40 lbs by October.  He killed a 180 inch non-typical that fall with a 42lb Black Widow, carbon arrow, and a big Snuffer.  He has worked up to a 50 lb bow and that is what he used this year.  He says his right shoulder hurts more now than the left one.

Best of luck!  At 36 yrs old I can tell its just a matter of time with my left shoulder.  30 years of archery so far and she's getting wore out.  I'm hoping for another 10 yrs before R-C surgery.

Ryan

[David Bartholomew]

   

I guess you’re getting the “pop sound” when you cross your injuried straight arm in front of the body (going to the other side)!?!?!  The pop is just a small part of the puzzle.

Ask your physician if he’s talking about a "SLAP" tear (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior)... also known as a bucket handle tear.  And yes, they do hurt, but... what can you do?!?!!

Rehab is like most concerns... meaning, it is all dependent on you to do the necessary work.  Slow movement... consistent, daily stretches BEFORE strengthening.  

If you’re looking at next October… you should have a pretty good chance at being in the woods then… flinging arrows.

Regards!
David

Orthopedic Massage Therapist

[slayer1]

Thats it David! I have one of the best shoulder guys around. My wife is a nurse in the OR so I had some good help finding the right physician. I go back Monday to find out on the exact diagonisis.

[troutremble]

Yep, four month recovery. I had this done 3 years ago. Had surgery in april and was hunting in sept. lived with it for several years, cant believe i waited so long. shoulder is perfect now, no pain, very little loss of motion. I had a good sports doc do surgery and was religous about rehab. first 2 weeks or so is hell but definately worth the pain.

[Buckskin57]

this post has been truly informative.I just went to Chiro. last night after work for my right shoulder.Good luck to you,Thanks.

[Buckskin57]

Chiro. didn't help after 200$ worth.Had MRI and DOC. wants TO DO SURGERY.4-6 MO. RECOVERY.I say no way.Know anything about cortozone shots?

[Robert Honaker]

slayer1...is your injury from shooting?

I see these type threads alot and noone ever says if the injuries are from archery.

My shoulders killed me for a long time. I mean bad, I was sure I had ruined my shoulders.

[Robert Honaker]

I always canted my bow. About a year ago I went to a striaght up form just like shooting a  compound and my shoulders don't hurt anymore.

[LKH]

Had surgery 17 Dec 2010.  The afternoon I got home we were putting my arm back in the sling and it felt like a rubber band broke in my shoulder.

Thursday I had an Arthrogram.  That's and MRI with injected dye.  Waiting to find out the results, but based on my symtoms I think I'm going back under the carver.

Shoulders are one of the worst repairs they do.  High failure rate and when you see the paperwork you have to sign, you know the lawyers think so too.

The best advice so far is to absolutely follow the therapy guidelines and limits.  Keep you ego out of your recovery.