Arthritis pain

[Moon]

I have struggled with very sharp arthritis pain in the fingers of my drawing hand and was wondering if someone can recommend a mechanical release so I can continue shooting my bow?  I tried a Scott Caliper release, but it just doesn't feel natural and wondered if others were using something else.  

Any help/suggestions appreciated.  Thanks.

[Karl Kortemeier]

I suffer with rheumatoid Arthritis which is a bit different than osteoarthritis.  I am not sure which type you have, but mine comes in flare ups.  I had a pretty bad flare last spring and I tried a Scott Little Goose.  It worked pretty well, but I had to stop shooting before I really got used to it.  I tried a few different types at bass pro.  You might try stopping by there or preferably a local archery shop that caters to compounds.  They should have a bunch to try.

Good Luck!

[Al Natural]

Do a search, Mudd built one out of leather, still looks traditional.

[iohkus]

I'm currently using a Wyhn FreeFlight relax release (trigger is released to fire).They are not being manufactured any more, but the last time I checked they could be had on  e***. The only negative (personal) is it pretty much ties up your string hand because it is mounted in a glove and sits well into your hand, but it works great otherwise.
    I found it on e*** by going to the Wyhn web-site and they will give you a link.

[lpcjon2]

What the thumb ring thing about isnt that a release alternative

[Bowwild]

I was having sore fingers when I used a glove. I switched to a Cavalier Elite finger tab and the sore fingers have been gone for more than 1.5 years!

[Doc Nock]

I ended up one year with "trigger finger" in my ring finger tendon...hurt like blazes.

Saw 3 specialists before one figured out it was what they call "trigger finger", but NOT IN my trigger finger... (tendon swells up and won't go thru the li'l fishing rod guide like things hanging off your finger)

I found a release to at least quad-ruple the noise level on release. Bob Morrison, I believe, shoots a string release or did...said it was quiet.  His was arthritis induced I believe.

Those Wynn were the bomb...sorry to hear they no longer make that...probably not a big seller...

[Old Chief]

Moon, I have the same issues.  I also went to a Cavalier Elite tab and started shooting three under.  It took me some time to get use to the tab and the 3 under, but for the most part the pain is gone or manageable.  I also tried an old fletchmatic rope release, but for me that was a disaster.

I had to shoot primarily left handed for a few years.  I get about the same accuracy, a half inch shorter draw, and a stiff neck shooting left handed,(thus the half inch shorter draw). Taking the right supplements, doing some reverse motion therapy, having a chiropractor that is good at odd things and making certain that I did not over do it or twist my drawing fingers has allowed me to shoot right handed again part of the time with no stiff fingers afterwards.  I shot with a release some, I put a longer serving in the center and put silencers on each end of it to quiet the snap of the release. The release did not work for my longbows, I used a recurve with a more heads up form. I found that shooting left handed was easier.

[Mudd]

This may be helpful.

It's really easy to make and use.

I think the pictures are enough to allow anyone to copy it's design.

The trick is on how you use it.

If I were just using my thumb to squeeze the leather together to hold the string I know I don't have the kind of strength required to pull a bow over 35 lbs but used correctly I can draw and hold bows up to 60 lbs with ease.

 
 
 

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,Mudd

[wapitirod]

just out of curiousity if it's osteoarthritis your fighting are you taking any prescription meds?  I have severe arthritis in all my joints and I can't hardly move in the morning until I take my Meloxicam.  I was taking Celebrex which worked a little better but my insurance company wouldn't pay as much because it wasn't a generic. I have mornings my hands are basicly claws but the medication makes a difference but of course it does have it's drawbacks.

Good Luck!

[joekeith]

Arthritis sucks..I,'ve been suffering with it for a long time.  One thing I found to help the hands is Voltaren Gel 1%. Ya need a scrip' for it but it does seem to help the hands.  
Good luck, I know how bad it can be.  I've been on synthetic Morphine for years now.  Along with Prednisone, Meloxicam, Percocet, Cymbalta, Methotrexate, Oxcicontin, and more.  It sucks, but the alternatives are worst.  I've only made it out once so far this year, but keep hoping for some pain free days, or at least less pain.  
Take care, and good luck.

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Mudd:
This may be helpful.

It's really easy to make and use.

I think the pictures are enough to allow anyone to copy it's design.

The trick is on how you use it.
If I were just using my thumb to squeeze the leather together to hold the string I know I don't have the kind of strength required to pull a bow over 35 lbs but used correctly I can draw and hold bows up to 60 lbs with ease.
I hope you find this helpful.
God bless,Mudd

That's pretty neat!  

[Pat B.]

Mudd, how do you use the release other than just squeezing the leather tab?

[Hopewell Tom]

I have the Osteo version for some years now.
Try changing your diet. Some foods are "inflammatory" to your joints.
All the good ones of course:
caffine, citrus fruit, peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and others.
If I eat an orange each day, in a week, my wrists are on fire.
Then there are meds, of course...

[Mudd]

I tried to take some pictures of the building process.

Here is all you need: leather strap, scissors,clamp and glue.

   

Measure out to fit your palm

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

I will try to find someone to video how I use it.

God bless,Mudd

[LarryP243]

I have the same problem and for me the Alieve , 2 in the morn. and 2 every night  untill the pain lets up then i cut back to 2 a day and use Aspercreme rubbed into the knuckles 3 or 4 times a day. if this ever stopps working for me then i will go to the DOCS AND GET SOMETHING STRONGER

[Moon]

I'm taking Humira injection every 2 weeks and it helps a lot.

Thanks for the pics Mudd and it was good talking with you today.

[Pat B.]

Mudd, I'm just bringing this to the top hoping to see your video.. Thank you !

[Mudd]

Unfortunately Pat I will have to wait until I can find someone with a camera to make the video before I can post it...lol.

My main computer died and with it my only means of downloading videos from my camera.

It seems that the driver for the camera I need is no longer available so my camera is basically useless.

I have some calls made so..... hopefully soon.

God bless,Mudd