Had to have it done. Rotator Cuff

530Chukar said:
I had a similar surgery about ten years ago. It was close to a year before I felt 100%. Instability was my biggest issue over that year.

Today I was reading about stem cell injections to treat everything from arthritis, tendon/ligament injuries and tears even up to cases that would normally require joint replacement. Has anyone had any experience with these? In the case of a rotator cuff injury the study I looked at showed a 1" tear healing almost 100% within nine months. It would be interesting to hear from anyone that's used this stuff.
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530, what part of NorCal are you from?
 
My shoulder is toast from lifting. I can still pull my bow back though so I'm avoiding surgery. I'm afraid I won't be able to pull a bow back if I have it fixed.
 
I had the same concerns. Just started PT 2 weeks ago. Passive range of motion for now. Exercises that are mind numbing OT simple but physically excruciating. And then the Therapist manipulates the shoulder for about 20-30 minutes. Seriously must be the same as S&M. It hurts. And it hurts so good. Already seeing increased ROM and hoping to be allowed to do some active ROM soon.

Everyone I’ve heard from who has had this surgery ends being glad they had it done (rare exception, of course).

Keep you posted.
 
I have a feeling it wont be long before I have to have surgery. it hurts to lift my arm above my shoulder or even put a jacket on sometimes.
 
gsp said:
I have a feeling it wont be long before I have to have surgery. it hurts to lift my arm above my shoulder or even put a jacket on sometimes.
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look on youtube for videos telling you how to know if you have "impingement syndrome" vs arthritis in your AC joint. If you have impingement syndrome, there are exercises that will help a bit. But the real deal is that you probably have osteophytes/bone spurs, and long term, it will grind down your muscle and tendon there and make it worse. It can even make it tear/rupture. If you're symptomatic, go get it checked w a shoulder specialist. Think of it as that ounce of prevention.
 
I'm 60 years old and my shoulders are in pretty good shape. I've been a bowhunter for 40+ years. The only time I had serious shoulder pain was when I shot a compound (2 years). Moving over to a recurve and longbow, I noticed my pain went away. I've never shot or hunted with a stickbow of less than 55 pounds draw weight and my current bow is a longbow pulling 62 pounds at 28". I discussed this with an orthopedic surgeon who is a client of my business. He also bowhunted and understood the mechanics. His belief was that my low-elbow stickbow draw is far more shoulder-friendly than the higher elbow (and abducted) position of most compound draws. No proof of any of it, but interesting to consider. I also consciously don't shoot my bows more than is required to be ready for hunting. I figure the less yearly stress (from shooting) I put into my shoulders, the longer they will be without pain. I'm at a point where...if I required shoulder surgery...I would drop the bow and stop using it entirely. I'd rather deal with that versus living in constant pain or reinjuring my shoulder.

My mother had RC repair several years ago. It helped, but really just bought her some time. The pain post-op was bad for her. Rehab was slow but she made it. Still, the shoulder deteriorated and ended up painfully unusable. 5 weeks ago she had a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. She's doing well and is pain free but she will forever need to be careful with the shoulder.

I wish you nothing but pain-free success and a long future of hunting.
 
Had a SLAP repair done on my right shoulder in December of 2016. Luckily my biceps tendon and rotator cuff were intact. PT was a royal pain in the rear but once I got to the point where the doc could do some serious stretching with it without the risk of injury I progressed quickly. I was back to pulling 60 lbs by April (I'm naturally right handed but shoot everything lefty so my right arm is my support arm) I can't throw a baseball quite like I used to but it no longer hurts to hold the bow up. My biggest piece of advice is to stick with the PT and do everything they tell you to do at home. I probably cut it a little short and lost a little range of motion (can't reach back and cover my left shoulder blade with my right hand).
 
I should not have read this..... I'm scheduled for shoulder surgery January 30th. Bicep tendon and torn labrum. I'm not looking forward to any of it. And I am due to draw an elk tag this fall. Hope I get back shooting by September.

Honestly the only reason I broke down and scheduled it is it hurt to hold at full draw. I think I'm going to miss turkey season either way.
 
Arctic Hunter said:
I should not have read this..... I'm scheduled for shoulder surgery January 30th. Bicep tendon and torn labrum. I'm not looking forward to any of it. And I am due to draw an elk tag this fall. Hope I get back shooting by September.

Honestly the only reason I broke down and scheduled it is it hurt to hold at full draw. I think I'm going to miss turkey season either way.
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I hope your surgery goes well. I’m increasingly encouraged now that Pt has started. I swear, this must be what S&M is like. Or 50 Shades of Pt. I need a “safe word” at times. But I’m so glad I had my shoulder repaired.

Re compound vs recurve, I’ve been thinking about the mechanics of drawing, holding, and letting down my compound bows. The let down is the real bitch, of course, bc your let off suddenly reloads and yanks your draw arm. I have learned to let down w my bow arm instead. That helps a lot.

I guess my concern about a recurve is having to hold 65lbs and what that would do to your shoulder.
I also think I’ll only shoot to be able to kill instead of slinging arrows downrange for fun. No doubt that will wear in your shoulder.

Sucks getting older. Turning 56 in a couple of weeks. Just have to make some adjustments in what I do and how I do it. And hope it works out well.
 
Arctic Hunter said:
Mmcan,

Did they give you a time frame on when you could start shooting again?
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Active ROM exercises at 12 weeks, move reps and weight up as able.

6-8 months until its "normal", which is the earliest I'd think about drawing my bow.

I'll dial my bows way down for a good long while. Maybe always. Not sure if I need to pull 70+lbs this year or in the future (but damn do I like watching that arrow fly)
 
I'm trying to decide if I need to put in for an elk tag. I'll be almost exactly 8 months from when I have the surgery till the season.

I think I'm gonna try it. I may not be in any pull up contests, but I plan to do what I gotta do in order to go. I bought a set of 40-50 pound limbs for my halon 32. So I should be able to work my way up from there.
 
Mmcan said:
look on youtube for videos telling you how to know if you have "impingement syndrome" vs arthritis in your AC joint. If you have impingement syndrome, there are exercises that will help a bit. But the real deal is that you probably have osteophytes/bone spurs, and long term, it will grind down your muscle and tendon there and make it worse. It can even make it tear/rupture. If you're symptomatic, go get it checked w a shoulder specialist. Think of it as that ounce of prevention.
Click to expand...

My doctor appointment is tomorrow.
 
MontanaPT said:
Sunshine, could be several different issues. Rotator Cuff testing can be difficult as well. Depends on the experience of person doing the tests, severity of the injury, and accuracy of the specific tests. Best advice would be to rest/avoid painful activities for a couple weeks and you can perform your light rehab type exercises. If still giving you the problem in a couple weeks, see a qualified medical professional for an evaluation. Good luck with your shoulder!
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Just happened to check back on this thread.

Funny as it may sound, we got a cold snap down here in Florida and for some crazy reason, my shoulder got 50+% better ! So much so that I drew on a pig Saturday, held , ok, I’d say ? Released and smoked a 150 pound boar hog. No shoulder give out, but certainly was not like how it usually is, but yet good enough to hunt with.

I did some aerobic weight movements of 25 reps in each direction trying to get blood in the shoulders. Been trying to not lie sideways in bed on my left shoulder and it’s working,,,,, slowly, but progress indeed. I’m relieved Biggly !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This has been a good read. My shoulder has had issues since high school. Being a baseball pitcher at a time when there wasn't as much thought towards proper warmup and form has caught up to me. The pain has gotten worse since last fall. Not sure what I did but I know sleeping on my stomach was not helping. Now it wakes me up when I move at night and has really screwed up playing sports with my kids.
 
Arctic Hunter said:
I'm trying to decide if I need to put in for an elk tag. I'll be almost exactly 8 months from when I have the surgery till the season.

I think I'm gonna try it. I may not be in any pull up contests, but I plan to do what I gotta do in order to go. I bought a set of 40-50 pound limbs for my halon 32. So I should be able to work my way up from there.
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You can always apply and bank the points. Or go OTC?
 
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