Surgery today, bad news.

[Glenn Hickey Jr.]

Sam...Sorry to hear about the surgery, thats bad luck. But look on the bright side, since you can't shoot at the KY Classic, you can ride up with me and Big Al, we have lots of room on the back of our bikes.  Keep your head up, I can always hook you up with a lefty bow.

[Curveman]

Sorry to hear about the surgery Sam! I have been there. Thank God though that the surgeons can repair so much of what goes wrong with our bodies these days! It was not that many years ago when they couldn't! I'd use the time to catch up on all my hunting and archery related learning. Get well soon!

[koger]

Again, thanks all. Ijust am going to miss hearing the Pfftt-whop of the arrows used to shooting  about 5 days a week, but what will be will be. I have started coaching the 4-H archery team so that will help pass the time, and the good news to be grateful for is that I had saved my paid sick time at work for the last 9 years, so I get paid while I am off and keep my job, again, we are truly blessed. Glen, dont know which one of you guys I could get on a bike and hug up for the ride to KY Classic, but that woudl be a site, 2 chunky fellers on a bike, one with a big pillow strapped to his arm, strapped to his bode! Wheeeww, wouldnt that cause a lot stares, laughs, and questions!!LOL!! Thanks, all , Sam.

[Gregg S]

It's been 8 weeks since my surgury. Listen to what the DR. and therapist say and don't push it at first. Once it's had time to heal they'll start getting your strength and range of motion back. They had me doing stretching exercises for the first six weeks, which I did twice a day religiously. The seventh week they added some isometric exercises to start working the muscles more. To my surprise, the therapist had a makeshift bow set up with the rubber therapy bands on Monday when I was there. It takes me about an hour and twenty min. to do all the stretching and other exercises now, but it's working. Listen to the Dr. and P.T. They'll tell you when it's time to start pushing it more. Good luck.

[ron w]

You'll come back, just do the proper rehab,slow and work your way up!!!

[WOUNDED EAGLE]

Been there,takes time with rehab, see if you can get those rubber bands from rehab center-blue & black ones to use at home, thay work great.
  I had my shoulders done R. one 6-01 & l. in 8-02 had massive rotator cuf damage from job ,took 11 mo. rehab. each arm, I went through hell for 3 years had to learn to do thing diferently.
  So take it slow and steady bont want to injure again.

[JEFF B]

good luck and do what the doc says. i have just had a prostate opp and i wont be able to shoot for about a month. and i will be shooting something lighter to start with. and belive me i am listening to the doc on this one for sure.

[Autumnarcher]

I had the same thing a little over a year ago. My PT told me " let pain be your guide". If it hurts,stop. It took me several weeks before i could draw a 25# bow. I did my stretches, and exercises religiously. When I finished PT, I continued with exercises they gave me on my own for a few more months, and the gain in shoulder strength was excellent. I did not have a rotator tear, just a spur removed and a slight SLAP tear repaired.

I was back shooting my hunting bow in 6 months.
It does suck, I was miserable for about a month after surgery. I'm 100% now, and glad I did it.

Good luck.

If need be, take your bow into PT with you and show them exzctly what muscle groups you use. I told my therapist I was an archer, and she envisioned a compound bow, which uses totally different muscles. I took in my longbow and she told me it was good I did as she could focus exercises that trad archers use.

[Toklat1]

I had it done also, I was shooting in 3 months. They told me it would be 6.  Get a bowfit when the therapist says you can and use it! My PT tailored my therapy so I could shoot again. Best of luck.  

[Plumber]

Relax I had neck surgery on 2-20 I cant shoot for 3 mo either but time goes fast I hope you feel better. Do what the doctor says.3mo is a long time for someone who shoots alot.but it goes fast.good luck

[longbow55]

Hope the healing goes as planned, enjoy the pain med while it last.

[Gordy]

Open heart surgery in November at 42 years old. Took almost two months before I could even half draw a 40 pounder. Haven't tried anything heavier but can at least shoot the 40 here 4 months later.

It's hard to swallow, but the big bows will stay unstrung for a long time. It took me years to add that 30+ pounds to my draw, now I'm hoping it will just be several more months.... many many more months.

Be glad in what you have (like your health ?) and don't push it....and keep it fun.  I've been refinishing a couple bows when I have the time.
Good luck and good health !