A date with the Knife, and a road to recovery.

Autumnarcher · April 08, 2011, 02:41:00 PM

Met with the doc this morning, a sharp sports medicine elbow specialist. After a lengthy discussion, surgery on my bow arm elbow is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Now I went in there expecting the worst, and hoping for better. The good news is its not as bad as I was originally led to believe by a different doc. He had be under the impression it was a major deal, reattching tendons etc. Not the case at all.

Small incision, clean up the tendon and a fewthings to improve blood flow to promote healing, 6-8 weeks and I should be good to go.
That meaning good togo for PT, and as llong as no pain, start shooting a lighter bow working back to my hunting weight.

He said I should haveno problems being good to go in plenty of time for my elk hunt, providing I dont over do it too soon. Thats not a problem.

So, after a year of elbow pain, eating motrin and not shooting my bow much,Im optimistic that I can be back in the lineup by mid to late summer.

I told the Dr, who's practice also involves most of the professional sports franchises, I dont play golf, I dont play ball. I fling arrows. Its not just what I do, its what I am. Im an archer.
And I want this problem fixed, so I can get back to being an archer, without worrying about pain every time I loose an arrow.

So Tuesday, hopefully, I can get on the path to make that happen.

Bowmania · April 08, 2011, 03:28:00 PM

I'll say something to the guy who counts for ya.

Bowmania

Shakes.602 · April 08, 2011, 03:32:00 PM

Always Glad to hear it isnt as Bad as Expected!! Just DO as the Doc Orders, and DONT Rush It!! Let that Bad Boy HEAL!! Anxious to hear how it all goes. God will watch over You!!

owlbait · April 08, 2011, 03:43:00 PM

Hey John, had something similar a few years back. The doc cleaned up a tear and drilled holes in the tendon to promote blood flow and healing. Turned out well. It was my drawing elbow. Just wanted you to know that it can be/ was successful for a like-minded archer, and I wish you success with your surgery.

straitera · April 08, 2011, 04:00:00 PM

Like to think I'm healthy enough to come back fast. My buddy in Oregon did too. He's bigger & stronger than me. Cost him another surgery. He didn't bowhunt last year at all. Coul'dn't even shoot the 40# bow I sent him. Best of luck. Do what they tell you.

Autumnarcher · April 08, 2011, 04:41:00 PM

Worst thing is it takes longer and I cant shoot. Oh wait, I cant shoot now. He gave me the option of delaying it and see if it gets any better. I told him it hasnt gotten better in 10 months, only a fool would assume doing the same would suddenly show different results.

There are no guarantees,everyone is different. My plan is to do whatever I need to get it right. Sports rehab/PT, whatever it takes. Count me in. Giving up is not an option. Some things just take a little more work, but at the end, the success is well earned.

jamesh76 · April 08, 2011, 04:52:00 PM

Hope for you a quick recovery. Good luck

sou-pawbowhunter · April 08, 2011, 04:59:00 PM

I'll be praying for your recovery to be quick and complete.

Mudd · April 08, 2011, 05:09:00 PM

I'll be praying for a quick and complete recovery.

God bless,Mudd

petertschantz · April 08, 2011, 05:18:00 PM

You'll be in my prayers as well.

God Bless

Pete

Jeff Roberts · April 08, 2011, 06:16:00 PM

It is best that you have taken care of it. My elbow bothered me for a couple of years before completely going out on me back in Nov 2010. Had the surgery in Dec and then rehab. I have just started back to shooting this week ( 6 months ealier than projected) with a dramatic decrease in bow poundage for me(from 65# to 53#). I also had to explain my archery obsession and lo and behold there was a doc in the pratice that also shot traditional gave me some special treatment. It will get better for you and shooting without pain will be worth every moment of sacrifice you are going thru now. God bless and look forward to the day.

30pointbuck · April 08, 2011, 06:24:00 PM

Hoping for a speedy recovery for ya,

Tall Paul · April 08, 2011, 06:27:00 PM

Glad to hear that! 6-8 weeks will be over before you know it!

Bonebuster · April 08, 2011, 06:29:00 PM

Sincere wishes for the best possible outcome.

I`ll put in a good word.

joekeith · April 08, 2011, 08:02:00 PM

Well....get 'er done. The sooner you do, then FOLLOW THE DOC'S ORDERS and don't push it, the sooner you'll be back. Good luck and keep the faith. Here's a pic of you in a couple of months.....

crotch horn · April 09, 2011, 06:05:00 PM

wishing you the best.

kennyb · April 09, 2011, 07:57:00 PM

Good luck to you, John! I know it will work out well as you have your mind set correctly!

Kenny

JimL · April 09, 2011, 08:30:00 PM

Prayers up for you brother.

Jack Guard · April 09, 2011, 08:43:00 PM

Get well soon man. The 10 months will fly by if you keep busy.

Keep us informed and stay in touch.

Autumnarcher · April 25, 2011, 12:26:00 PM

Well Im now almost 2 wweeks ppost-op. So far so good. Got the stitches out, wrapping is off, and its moving ok. I have a lmp the size of half an egg beneath the incision site, and the back of my arm is all kinds of interesting colors. Aches a little now and then, and Im in a wrist brace to keep me from flexing/extending my wrist and the tendons involved for 3 more weeks, the PT.
All in all it went very well.

I did an overnight campout with my elk gear to test some of the new gear and scout for turkeys.
No sign of turkeys anywhere, but what was really weird is I usually do a lot of stump shootin when I do that. I didnt even take a bow along. The whole way up there I kept feeling like I forgot something.

Doc thought I may- MAY be able to start shooting a light bow around mid June. I sure hope so, this is gonna drive me nuts. No spring stumpin( when arrows are easy to find), no bowhuntin turkeys, and no carp shootin.

But the procedure went well, and I just gotta give it its due time to heal.