Pending Rotator Cuff Surgery

[Rebel Yelp]

I tore my rotator cuff in half in a skiing accident years ago. Take the therapy seriously.

What really helped me was swimming. I started swimming toward the end of my therapy. I highly recommend it. You won't aggravate your surgery and it will help your strength and range of motion tremendously. If you can, try to find a pool at a local gym or YMCA that you can join for a few months.

Hang in there bud... you're going to be better than ever!

[Winterhawk1960]

Thanks everybody !!!

Dixie Bowman,

Someone else suggested the same thing (swimming) and unfortunately I don't know how to swim a lick. Seriously, I just never did learn to swim, it most likely had something to do with having a mother that didn't know how to swim either and was scared to death of water.

I WILL, most definately take the therapy serious as I want to be back to shooting my bows as soon as possible. I have one bow that is only 30# and another that I have a 40# set of limbs for, so I won't have to start out heavy.

Winterhawk1960

[David Bartholomew]

Don,

Prior to surgery, ask/verify how the surgeon is going to “numb” the area up.   I personally don’t care for the “blocks”.  See if he’ll give you options.

Second point... and I am being very serious:  Ask the doctor or surgery crew folks who’s responsible for manipulating your arm (and yes, the wrist is attached) while you’re under.  (Manipulating the arm will be need in order to allow you surgeon access to the damaged soft tissue and subsequent repair.)  

The reason I say that is I don’t want you to come out of surgery with a very bad wrist sprain (due to over stressed ligaments).  Yup, you don't want to wake up with more concerns than when you started.

[Doc Nock]

The other note I'd chime in would be to push the surgeon hard to clearly articulate to YOU the fine line between pain and damage post surgery.

There are things you just should NOT do for a period of time or risk ripping out their work.

After that, it hurts like blazes, when you do the range-of-motion stuff, but find out that line between discomfort (pain) and damage!

They made sure I knew and I was months ahead of what they predicted.

Was cut 8/27 and shooting hunting weight bow by Oct 20th.  It wasn't pleasant, but it was worth it!

[Rookie@51]

Well Don I feel your pain too. I too will be having a scope done on my right shoulder on the 24th of this month. I have had problems with my right shoulder for years now and have had the shots to keep the pain away. They always work for me for a short time but the pain returns after a while. The Dr doesn’t think there is a problem with the cuff or the tendons but it appears that the top bone of my shoulder has thickened and is pinching the tendons causing the pain. They are planning on scrapping the bone to thin it and he said it will take away my pain. I should be back on my feet in 6 weeks. I ask him if shooting my bow would cause me to tear it or hurt it more and he said that if I was using the proper form it would be good therapy for my shoulders. He also shoots Trad equipment. I'm sure bull riding and heavy weight traing years ago and a whole host of other things have lead me to this crossroad in my life. I wasn't planning on living this long when I was doing those kind of things. LOL!!! Kind of makes the old saying "live hard and die young" take on a different meaning LOL!! So as I pray for you and your scope I too would ask the same from you. I will check on you and see how you are feeling and use that as a gauge to see where I will be. Also thank all of you for the advice and giudance about what to expect. The Lord has a way of giving us information without having to ask others. Lord please give Don a pain free healing process and guide the hand of the one who is doing the work. Also thank you for all those who have posted their comments and help so that we can learn from their expericnces as well. We love you Lord and ask this in your name with great expectations of you presents and touch, Amen.......Dusty

[Doc Nock]

Right shoulder mentioned above was the torn rotator...took a lot of healing.

Couple years later, had the "impingement" surgery to do what Dusty mentions.

They had me outa the sling and moving it next day! Told me I couldn't hurt it (damage). I think they forgot how hard I can push through pain.

It's never been as good as the other one. Therapists also thought there was a good chance they didn't get all the arthritic 'gunk' outa the joint areas.

"Arty Ritis" is my constant companion. Related on both sides of the gene tree so I'm sunk! Hate that guy!

[DTD]

Don,

You will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Hope the surgery goes well!

Doug

[Nosight]

Prayers from here...
 
AS said above, do as you are told during your rehab, do not push it hard.

If you do all of it you will be shooting alot sooner than you know..

Later...Buzz

[Winterhawk1960]

Well......I survived the surgery and am pretty darn sore right now, but I'm sure that this will pass......eventually.

I'm also "kinda" medicated....still, so I will give a better report on the findings probably sometime tomorrow.

Thank-You, one and all for the prayers, I believe they were answered.

Winterhawk1960

[Rookie@51]

Good to hear from you. I hope you are keeping  good notes so you can send them my way. LOL! I have you and Slayer1 in my prayer book and will be lifting you up dailey.......Dusty

[LONGSTYKES]

Don, Glad to hear that the surgery is over, prayers sent. Hoping  for the best, keep up the fight. You should be in great shape for your Elk hunt in the Fall. God Bless Don

[Doc Nock]

Praises it went well and without complications!

Healing is about listening and then doing what you're told...as much as you're told!

Let the healing begin!

[BenBow]

Good stuff. Prayers for a good recovery

[huntingarcher]

I fell of a roof memorial day weekend.I ended up going to a shoulder otho guy in Houston Texas.He is considered one of the best in the world.After the MRI he called me and said I would not want your shoulder.After surgery he said it was non-repairable,looked like bome went off in there.Said I was going have to use a crossbow.That was in June,last weekend in october I killed a doe with aloner compound set at 50#.Than another doe and a 8 point by end of november.At that point I still could not pull my trad bows which were all 60# and up.The end of january this year I called Black Widow and said what do you have ready right now that pulls Mid 40s.John said I am looking at a 62" PSAX camo 46# @ 28,that the guys in the back just finished for the demo fleet.I said send it to me.After shooting this bow for 3 weeks every day.I am pulling it to my draw of 29 1/2" getting right at 50#,and I can shoot 100 arrows before it starts getting to me.I can not lift my arm above my head but I can shoot my bow.Sorry to ramble on but when a one of the best Docs says you will not be able to shoot a hunting bow any longer its a little scary.So hange in there it can be done.LOL

[Rookie@51]

Good talking to you yesterday Winterhawk. I enjoyed our discussion alot. I thank you for the info you shared with me. God bless you and yours and I will continue praying for you as well. PS...I am able to type with both hands today. It continues to improve.......Dusty

[northoz]

Hope it all works out for you Winterhawk,I had a left wrist reconstruction last June,due to a fall at work,I am finally shooting above 50lbs,give it time ,it will all be good!!