Shoulder Replacement -- my story - SUCCESS

[smokin joe]

I am having a total shoulder replacement surgery tomorrow morning. I have struggled with a bad right shoulder for years. I have had three surgeries to repair this shoulder and there is no cartilage left in the joint. So it is now grinding bone against bone and that makes for a joint that doesn't work at all.

I figure I am probably not the only archer who has a seriously damaged shoulder, so I am going to chronicle my recovery and rehabilitation experience here. I hope that my story of dealing with this will help guide any fellow archers who might be considering a full shoulder replacement.

With a little bit of luck and good rehab I will be shooting a hunting weight bow within six months.

I will be in the hospital for a few days and once I am back home I will post an update.

Wish me luck.

[Bill from NJ]

I sincerely hope all goes well, and wishing you a speedy recovery.

[nashoba]

Best of luck to you.

[Sam McMichael]

Good luck and best wishes for a quick and complete recovery.

[ron w]

All the best in your journey. Rehab will be tough but you have to stick with it. I'm having my right knee replaced on Dec 5th, had the left one done 17 months ago. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[Tater]

Best of luck with the surgery, and a speedy recovery..

Set of luck you!

Bisch

[Big Ed]

Best of luck, wishing you a healthy and speedy recovery!

[CRM_95]

Hope you have a quick and complete recovery!!

[Pops]

Best of luck hope all goes well

[Mike Bolin]

Good luck and prayers sent!!

[Tim]

Good Luck JOE!

[achigan]

Prayers your way Joe, and thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Larry D Jones had shoulder surgery 4 or 5 years ago and totally recovered in a relatively short amount of time.

[Michael Arnette]

You should just shoot a crossbow ( insert heavy sarcasm )

Seriously though I hope and pray for a speedy and full recovery!

[Michael Arnette]

...and not that it's a bad thing to shoot a crossbow, I think cross bows are wonderful for folks who can't use archery equipment...it's just good to see someone with enough love for archery to give it a good try

[olddogrib]

Good luck and Godspeed.  A veteran of knee and hip replacements and not to be a "Debbie Downer", but those I know that have had the "trifecta" all swear the shoulder is "hands down" worst of the lot!  I have had three shoulder arthroscopy/surgeries also, but they all call me "pantywaist"!

[Yewbender]

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

[sticksnstones]

I sure hope it went well and you are on the mend already! I'm glad you have a motivating event to keep you at the rehab!
Thom

[smokin joe]

I was sent home on Tuesday. The big challenge so far has been pain control.

Olddogrib is correct. Now that i have had the trifecta of hip replacement, knee replacement and shoulder replacement, I must say that the shoulder replacement is much more painful than the other two.

But now the surgery and immediate post-surgery period are over. now the early phases of rehab begin.

the exercises are simple, things like making a fist, but they are very important. So i am starting on that road now.

i'll write more in a day or two when I start to feel a little better.