Shooting with rotator cuff/elbow issues

[Crookhunter]

Over the years of lifting weights I have developed some rotator cuff and elbow pain. Do any of ya'll have the same issues when you shoot and how did you cope. I have a Dr appt Monday about the shoulder but hope this doesn't interupt Sept 27 because as of now I cannot practice. Thanks RT

[Mike Murphey]

Yes, a few years ago I had rotator cuff problems...I put it off until I couldn't stand it any more, had surgery the first of March that year and by bow season I could shoot but at lower poundage...it took ~4 months from surgery before I was shooting again....

[Crookhunter]

Mike did you have a tear that required surgery or was it something else

[DrenalinJunkie]

Had 4 major tears in my left rotator cuff in 06...... Took a few months to get back shooting but like said above, I shoot lower poundage now. To be comfortable I dropped 10 pounds on my draw(70 down to 60-62)

[Danw]

I switched to a bow with an easier draw cycle, still at 70, for now.

[kornsqueezer]

I have a slight tear in my right rotor cuff. I will get it fixed one of these days when I can't pull my bow.

[K9carlo]

I did the same thing, waited until I couldn’t take the pain anymore. I had surgery last Wednesday and they found one huge tear in the rotor cuff, scare tissue in the joint and torn ligaments. Today had the follow up visit and was told that I should be good to go in 4 to 6 months, I am hoping that it will be closer to the 4 month mark.

[Mike Murphey]

I had, over a 3/4 tear that the surgeon went ahead and cut and completely, and repaired....I slept in a recliner for 30-40 days, and was not sure if I could stand to lay down in a bed the first night after that time....went through 60 days rehab starting the day after surgery.....

[JGreen31]

I'm headed down the same road Crookhunter, I have started lowering my poundage on my bow until I have to get it taken care of. After these last few stories, I won't be looking forward to it and it sounds as though you have trouble regaining back to 100%.

A good friend of mine (built like a brick ****house) had a past college football shoulder injury and he's having fits with getting back 60 lbs draw weight.

[K9carlo]

The best thing I could tell you all is, get it looked at before it does more damage

[Mike Murphey]

I lowered my draw weight on my compound down from 65 lbs to 55 lbs and it was the best thing I could have ever down, even if I had no problem 55 lbs was great....I have switched back to my recurve and pulling 52 lbs....pass through on all white-tails....

[no1hogkiller]

The elbows, watch the "preacher curls" dont want to over extend your arm. I hurt my elbow some years ago when I first started bowhunting. After that couldn't even hold the bow out. Then the "recoil" of the bow just hurt the hell out of the left elbow. Several years later sprained an ankle. Doctor gave me mega doses of Ibuprophin. Guesss what? The elbow cleared up.
I have right shoulder issues. Hopefully, mostly bursitis. Back to bench press but not trying to go heavier each time. And just breaking 90 degress and not bringing bar down to chess.
Good luck.

[Texas Grown]

I'm in the process of trying to avoid surgery and going to Physical Therepy 2x a week and doing prescribe excercises/streches daily. Mine happened back in Nov. or Dec. I go for re-evaluation next Friday to see if we go surgery or continue the present course. I had lost a lot of my range of motion and could only draw 33 lbs on an 80% let off youth bow before I started Physical Thereapy. I couldn't even pull up my pants . I've got a lot of it back, Range of motion, but not what I had. Lost a lot of strength too. Hope to get most all of it back, one way or another.

[Mister Bubba's bulletman]

I had my rotator cuff removed 15 years ago.

Since all my other joints are about the same condition I don't notice the pain much.

Just shoot lower poundage, know your bow, shoot less reps and practice mental visualization of your draw to anchor point, target and sight line up, release and follow through.

You will be good for years of bow hunting.

[TX_Kevin]

I got a shot in mine of some kind or another, then just let it rest for about six months, lowered my poundage, and I am feeling much better now. It hardly hurts at all.