Shoulder replacement....

[Ozzman]

Curious if anyone here has had, or knows of anyone who has had a shoulder replacement and is still able to bowhunt? Just got word the other day that a shoulder replacement is in my near future, and being able to pull my bow back when all is said and done is my number one concern.

I am only 26, so I have a lot of years left in my boots, and I am really hoping I'm not toast here.

 

[trophyhunter]

Ozz: I know of a guy at our archery range that had the procedure about 3 yrs ago on his right shoulder. After a lot of rehab he can shoot a bow. He said he had to reduce poundage alot so most likely you will also need to reduce your draw weight big time. Most bows you can just purchase lower poundage limbs.

Good luck with your procedure.

))))-------->

 

[400bull]

I have a brother-in-law that fell off a latter at work one day and messed his right shoulder up big time. He had to have a couple surgeries to reattach ligaments and repair muscle tissue. After a lot of therapy and hard work he has been able to build up his strength to draw back his bow again.

400bull

 

[Wakin]

Hey Ozz, I'm your old neighbor (Hunter's dad). I've had 6 surgeries stemming from a torn labrum, currently bone on bone with a "V" notched into my socket so there is lot's of popping, grinding, slipping etc. My surgeon has sent me to 2 other specialists since he knows my lifestyle. I've needed a replacement for several years but they can't gurantee I will be able to pull my bow or keep wakeboarding, the only guarantee is reduced pain. Last year a specialist down in Provo said I'd only be able to lift 20lbs afterwards. I've decided to live on cortisone shots & deal with the pain - at least I can still draw my bow. I don't have much interest in using a cross bow so my plan is to start learning to shoot left handed for when the inevitable comes. I've talked to several people, some can shoot just fine afterwards, others can't.

Partial replacement could be an option for you but in my case there isn't enough bone left.

Suck deal for your age, my first surgery was at 31. What bow are you shooting? Stay with the easy drawing round wheels (I shoot a Switchback). Hunter has a Hoyt with more aggressive cams & I can't draw his, the cycle is too harsh.

 

[Ozzman]

Hey Clint,

I think I remember Mike telling me about some of your shoulder woes... Not even a little fun. Unfortunately, from the sounds of things, I am stuck in a rock and a hard place here. They are telling me either replace it now, and have 25 years 'pain free' with potential to shoot a bow... Or push it off until it is too late to even do the replacement. They are telling me I probably only have 1-5 years of wear left before my glenoid is totally toast making it impossible to mount that part of the replacement.

I am with you though, very little interest in shooting a X-bow. Guess we'll just have to see what happens, like you said, I could always learn to shoot left handed.

How'd you all fair on elk this year?

 

[huntin50]

I happen to be a archery hunter and a shoulder rehab specialist with 25 yrs experience. I agree with your Ortho advise. You might be able to shoot a 45-50 pound bow with good surgery and therapy results. A shoulder replacement takes care of the bone on bone pain. The rotator cuff muscles still need to have decent quality tissue for strength. The longer you have joint pain and can't move and use your shoulder very well, the weaker your cuff muscles get.

Changing to shoot left handed will be difficult. You likly won't have enough strength to hold your are in shooting position and your eye dominance will make things hard.

If I was in your soes I would think more about the cross bow option. Hunting rutting bulls that time of the year is a rush. It's a great time of the year to hunt. You still need to watch the wind, get close, and things need to work out. Best of luck.

I'm heading down to AZ for my 18 yr olds archery elk hunt Thursday. It will be fun.

Greg

 

[Wakin]

Just make sure you get a second (& third) opinion before you commit. I guess you should have joined the band rather than play baseball!

I took 3 weeks off work for the the hunt, killed a spike at 6:27am on the opener. Spent another week trying to get one for Hunter, he missed a few cows & hit a spike in the shoulder blade & didn't get any penetration. After that he was back at school so I spent the rest of my time off at Strawberry catching fish. Heading out next week with Colt Sampson, he has a Wasatch muzzy tag.

I'm getting my knee worked in November, getting old blows.


>Hey Clint,
>
>I think I remember Mike telling
>me about some of your
>shoulder woes... Not even a
>little fun. Unfortunately, from the
>sounds of things, I am
>stuck in a rock and
>a hard place here. They
>are telling me either replace
>it now, and have 25
>years 'pain free' with potential
>to shoot a bow... Or
>push it off until it
>is too late to even
>do the replacement. They are
>telling me I probably only
>have 1-5 years of wear
>left before my glenoid is
>totally toast making it impossible
>to mount that part of
>the replacement.
>
>I am with you though, very
>little interest in shooting a
>X-bow. Guess we'll just have
>to see what happens, like
>you said, I could always
>learn to shoot left handed.
>
>
>How'd you all fair on elk
>this year?

 

[mmwb]

I was thinking along the lines of switching bows, though Greg makes the point: if you don't have the strength in the right arm to hold the bow, you gain nothing. It isn't as difficult to switch shooting arms as many think, but the eye dominance could be a factor. A lot of right handed archers are left eye dominant and shoot right handed anyway. It can be done. You may find if you are right eye dominant and try shooting left handed that you will want a tad larger peep. You may learn to sight with the right eye closed and open for the shot or just shooting one eyed if necessary. Shooting opposite hand will seem awful awkward at first, but you would be surprised how soon it becomes natural. It took me a couple of weeks. Now shooting right handed is a bit awkward, though it doesn't trouble me to do so. It is less significant with a compound than the traditional equipment.

If you love the archery hunt, don't give up on the crossbow if it becomes the only option. You need to think bigger than just bow hunting though. You're young and have a lot of years needing that arm working for you.