Shoulder surgery

[Jarhead0311]

Well doc gave me the bad news yesterday... torn rotator cuff and torn ligaments and tendons in my left shoulder. Surgery is scheduled for Sept. 26th..... On top of that I wont be able to work for 2-3 months which is gonna be tight. The worst part though is missing bow season. Finally get a chance at taking my largest buck ever and its gone... Needless to say I'm pretty bummed out. Having to sit on the sidelines and watch has never been my style. I want to get at least one last bow hunt in before but as of now I can barely hold my bow up long enough to take a shot.... its pretty hard to swallow for guy who was doing 30+ pullups 4 months ago to barely being able to hold up 10lbs....

Anyone here ever had shoulder surgery before? what should I expect??

[sotx]

I had it done 4 months ago. It is not fun afterwards. They had me sleeping sitting up for the first week and oh my lord was I miserable. The pain is horrible afterwards too. Those first few weeks were really tough. But 4 months out my shoulder feels much better than it had before surgery. It is still weak, I plulled back my bow last weekend, a big no no by the way, but I could do it. After the shot is when it really hurt had to drop the dang bow. Stupid move on my part. Doc says a year minimum for recovery. It is worth it though.

[sotx]

Get a crossbow

[rtp]

I had it done 4 months ago. It is not fun afterwards. They had me sleeping sitting up for the first week and oh my lord was I miserable. The pain is horrible afterwards too. Those first few weeks were really tough. But 4 months out my shoulder feels much better than it had before surgery. It is still weak, I plulled back my bow last weekend, a big no no by the way, but I could do it. After the shot is when it really hurt had to drop the dang bow. Stupid move on my part. Doc says a year minimum for recovery. It is worth it though.

I hope you didn't undo all the doc and your good work.

[sotx]

Well me too lol but I don't believe I did, bonehead move for sure

[rtp]

Well doc gave me the bad news yesterday... torn rotator cuff and torn ligaments and tendons in my left shoulder. Surgery is scheduled for Sept. 26th..... On top of that I wont be able to work for 2-3 months which is gonna be tight. The worst part though is missing bow season. Finally get a chance at taking my largest buck ever and its gone... Needless to say I'm pretty bummed out. Having to sit on the sidelines and watch has never been my style. I want to get at least one last bow hunt in before but as of now I can barely hold my bow up long enough to take a shot.... its pretty hard to swallow for guy who was doing 30+ pullups 4 months ago to barely being able to hold up 10lbs....

Anyone here ever had shoulder surgery before? what should I expect??

Im 6 weeks out from my second left shoulder surgery this year. First one failed for unknown reasons as I followed my rehab and doctor instructions to the tee. I agree with you about the worst part is missing bow season. If you are have surgery on the 26th, I doubt you will even be able to handle shooting a crossbow before archery season is over. Regarding, what to expect, I had my right shoulder done 8 or 10 years ago and it was a complete success. I can tell you that through 3 shoulder surgeries, they all felt different afterwards. I think everyone will have their own individual experiences. Basically you are looking at 6-8 weeks of passive ROM exercises once you start PT and then 8-12 weeks of active ROM exercises. Don't get in a hurry and don't do any active lifting of your arm during the passive time period. Good luck and I can sympathize with everything you are going through.

[Jarhead0311]

Geeze a year!?!? I can't be down that long if I want any chance of getting into the warden academy.... And I can't afford a crossbow and prefer not to hunt with it anyways.

[Jarhead0311]

Im 6 weeks out from my second left shoulder surgery this year. First one failed for unknown reasons as I followed my rehab and doctor instructions to the tee. I agree with you about the worst part is missing bow season. If you are have surgery on the 26th, I doubt you will even be able to handle shooting a crossbow before archery season is over. Regarding, what to expect, I had my right shoulder done 8 or 10 years ago and it was a complete success. I can tell you that through 3 shoulder surgeries, they all felt different afterwards. I think everyone will have their own individual experiences. Basically you are looking at 6-8 weeks of passive ROM exercises once you start PT and then 8-12 weeks of active ROM exercises. Don't get in a hurry and don't do any active lifting of your arm during the passive time period. Good luck and I can sympathize with everything you are going through.

Thanks for the advice! I'm glad it went well for you. Hopefully it'll go well for me.

[sotx]

3 surgerys eeeek, that seriously s u x bro. I can not imagine, Id lose my mind.

[RascalArms]

I've had a total of 4 shoulder surgeries...3 on right and 1 on the left shoulder. Do I win the prize?

The surgery on my left shoulder was due to a football injury back in my college years...piece of cake recovery.

The other 3 on the right shoulder took place over a 3 year span not long ago....and a TOTAL NIGHTMARE! A misdiagnoses and a botched surgery by one surgeon and thinking I was healed too early and pushing my limits too soon after the 2nd surgery (tearing repaired rotator cuff) led to a final 3rd surgery!

I'm still not "right" and can't throw a ball, swing a gold club or pull a bow back anymore! I hurt so much that I can't relax enough to go to sleep without taking 2 Tylenol PM's every night.

Advice:As rtp says don't get too aggressive in the rehab and push the recovery time. Those therapist know what they are doing....the ROM (range of motion) exercises seem so repetitive and stupid BUT they serve a purpose, believe me! Good luck...if done properly the results are well worth it for most!

[32drawlength]

I had surgery 6/25 to repair a SLAP tear in right shoulder & having a good recovery.
Your shoulder sounds more severe, therefore your surgery may likely be too.
Hope it goes well

[Bowyer]

I had surgery on right shoulder in May 2011 and was able to hunt with my longbow in October same year. It still hurts sometimes but not like before and does not slow me down. Just recently I injured the left shoulder, haven't seen the Doc yet but know it isn't going to good news when I do.
Don't worry Jarhead, missing one season won't be that bad.
Now...where is this big buck you speak of?

[iamntxhunter]

I had rotator cuff surgery on June 5th and wore a sling for a month. Just a couple of weeks ago I started doing small strength conditioning with bands, started with a 10lb but not maxing it out. Lateral raises are the hardest. Bicep and triceps aren't hard at all but I am not rushing it. First thing in rehab is getting ROM which will include a lot of stretching. I had orthoscopic surgery but I have seen some guys with a half moon scar and that probably has a lot to do with recovery time. Did therapy myself with a regiment from the doctor. Follow orders and don't be macho about rehab as time to fully heal is critical.
Best of luck to you.

[bowtech72]

I had a torn rotator but not that as bad as yours, the doctor let me hunt with my bow turned down and after some injections. I was only off for 2 months or so.

[Slingblade]

I had the same injury on the same shoulder as you last December. 6 weeks recovery and 6 weeks of rehab. I'm just now shooting my bow again. I might hunt this season but I'm not sure yet.