Darn thumb.

[sweeney3]

I'm about to cut my thumb off.  I sprained it last week, and haven't been able to shoot for 9 days now, with no signs of improvement.  I can't even start my truck with my right hand of pull my wallet out of my pocket.  I'm essentially sub-primate on my right side, as I have no opposeable thumb.  I can't even hold a bow, much less draw it (I'm left handed, so the bow pulls right against where my swollen joint is on the right hand).  AND, to add insult to injury, the white oak Owl Bow that I ordered from Ed Scott last summer just came in YESTERDAY!!!  AND I CAN'T SHOOT IT!!      

Not a satisfactory situation.  I hope it gets better soon.  As it stands now, I can neither shoot, nor cast, and fishing time is coming up quickly!!

[Pat B]

Give it plenty of time to heal. Hot and/or cold compresses, anti-inflamitory meds and rest are your best bet.
  I sprained my thumb in high school(over 40 years ago) and didn't allow it time to heal properly. Even today, if I bump it just right it will bring me to my knees and tears in my eyes. Give it time to heal!!!

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I secon Pat. GIVE IT TIME! I am the worst taker of this advise and most of my injuries take twice as long to heal. I go into knee surgery on the 6th. If I have learned anything in my 36 years, I'm gonna lay off my knee until it is ready!!! My future self thanks me for it.  

[La. bowhunter]

I shot a 3 D tournament last weekend with an older gentleman who was shooting pretty darn good with his longbow and I didnt even notice till we were almost done that he didnt have a thumb on his bow hand. Why not just whack it off you really dont need it anyway. LOL  :D    :D    :D

[sweeney3]

I'm getting close to doing just that.  I tried holding a bow kind of split fingerish between my index and middle finger.  Bad plan.  At least, it seemed like it wouldn't be worth it.

[crossstickspro]

"If Vicks,Robutesin,or Percy's dont fix it, time will." My papa
 He's old fashon but most of the time this advice works for me

Larry

[WOUNDED EAGLE]

Uee cold compesses to bbing down the pain and swelling, get yourself a rist thum brace to immobelise it also take some ibuprofen 200 mg. tabs take 3 every 4 to 6 hrs.this proscrip. dosage. Take after you eat it take a couple days to kick in. The brace will help,{ the funny thing is an ingery like that you keep hitting it}. Been there did that.

   W.E.

[Rufus]

Pair of "501's" be a big problem with that thumb methinks.       Hey get it well soon. My third fingernail on my shooting hand is purple and what ever color you can imagine from a super pinch. Fortunately I don't use it much when shooting. Bad to not be able to shoot. Good luck with it.

[Bob Sarrels]

I that thing gettin any better yet.

[wharvey]

I feel for you. I also shoot southpaw and about a month ago I fell while on roller blades. The wrist protector did it's job for my wrist but unfortunately jammed my thumb straight into the pavement. Still not over it completely but at least I can shoot. To make matters worse, I seem to have some joint degeneration going on with my left thumb due to multiple disjointing. I'll find out next month at the orthopedic doctor.

I take prescription anti-inflamatories for gout so that may have helped. Looks like I may still loose my nail.  If you haven't been to a doctor I'd go to get it x-rayed to make sure it isn't broke.

[sweeney3]

Well I took a shot yesterday, but unstrung and put it right back down.  Nothing came loose, but it sure isn't ready to shoot yet.  I had to pay so much attention to the hurt in my hand that I couldn't focus on shooting anyway.  Another week or so may do it I hope.  I've stayed loaded up on anti-inflamitorys and have been alternating ice and heat the past couple days, and it's getting better now.  It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have that new, beautiful bow hanging on the wall asking me why I'm not shooting it.