Rotator cuff surgery
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Jasper
30-Dec-24
Scheduled for rotator cuff surgery at the end of January. I had 3 big bone spurs removed 30 years ago that was likely a result of shooting 80 to 95 pounds for years back in the 80s when bows were slow and we were doing anything for speed while tournament shooting. After shooting 70 lbs for years I suddenly couldn’t draw it any longer this past summer and had to crank my bow down to 58 pounds. An MRI showed a torn cuff and a severed bicep tendon. Interestingly the doc said they wouldn’t attempt to repair the tendon as they could actually do more damage. The only time I even know I have an issue is when throwing overhand like chunking a ball for my dog (other than weakness drawing my bow). It doesn’t even bother me lifting weights, shoulder presses, etc. They’re telling me 4 to 6 months recovery, which surprised me. But I’m sure they know. Anyone else have this surgery? How long until full recovery and able to shoot your bow? Thanks and God bless!
From: Charlie Rehor
30-Dec-24
Had that surgery 14 years ago. Every repair is different. Slept/dozed in a recliner for 3 weeks after surgery with ice on my arm. Rehab was tuff too. I could pull my bow (at 45 pounds) after three months. Full Recovery was a year but I did it in February so I wouldn’t miss any archery hunting.
I will never be able to throw a football or baseball very well but shooting my bow at 60 pounds is a piece of cake. Bottom line, I had to have the surgery so I’m glad it’s behind me. Good luck.
From: Stoneman
30-Dec-24
Jasper, have you investigated a stem cell protocol? Based on your symptoms I would give it serious consideration over surgery.
From: Pirogue
30-Dec-24
Interesting comment about afraid to deal with the bicep. My surgery was about 20 years ago, and necessitated because my bicep tendon resembled only one strand intact in a nine strand cable. Can now shoot a 60 lb fine. Like Charlie said, lot of scenarios, repairs, doctor opinions, etc.
From: WI Shedhead
30-Dec-24
If and when you do it- follow thier every instruction in PT and never miss a session. Do everything they say and if you’re lucky like I was, it will be easy peasy. At 53 I can do 20 pull-ups, shoot my 66 pound bow no problem, and the big one- I sleep through the night!!!
From: JB
30-Dec-24
Good advice from Charlie and WI Shedhead. Follow orders from Dr. and PT. I did and have great range of motion and strength. Shoot my bow at 60 with no problems.
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
30-Dec-24
I had mine done at 21, was fit healthy, best shape I've ever been in.. looking back i wouldn't do it again. I had labrum as well and cuff was 8 tears. Hurt to work over my head with pipe wrenches and throw a ball... still hurts to do both of those things. I was in a sling with bumper for 4 months and sling for about 2 more no bumper...rehab was constant, maybe i pushed to hard. But it hurts worse now than before surgery. It's my bow holding hand shooting has been fine before and after going under the knife..
Side note, I'd bet big money I need it repaired again. In therapy it didn't feel right and I think it was the therapists doing to much to soon.
From: Stoneman
30-Dec-24
I tore the labrum in my left shoulder 8 years ago. I endured pt and cortisone shots for 2 years with no improvement or relief. I couldn’t hold a gallon of milk with my left hand without pain let alone try to pour from it. I met with an orthopedic surgeon and had another MRI indicating increased bursitis along with the tear. The surgeon gave me a 50% chance of full recovery. Not good odds from my perspective. I met with a stem cell expert after much research and investigation. I opted for the stem cell protocol over surgery knowing I could always have surgery in the future. I followed the protocol by the letter and in 6 months my shoulder was 90%, and within a year it was 100%. That was 4 years ago. I will never automatically decide on surgery when there are other options.
From: Potro
30-Dec-24
Good luck Be patient, the recovery is at least 8 to 12 months
From: Middle Ground
30-Dec-24
Had right rotator cuff surgery 14 years ago where they had to cut all the muscles and tendons. Damage was too severe for a scope repair. Hurt like hell for 2 months. Slept in a recliner for 2 months. Never did a day of rehab but was tournament bass fishing in 2 1/2 months and pitching fast pitch girls softball practices in 4 months no problems. Total right knee replacement 1 year later and it was nowhere near the pain as the cuff repair. Tore my right bicep on a ladder trimming trees with hand clippers three years ago. Dr. said surgery would be worse and he was right again no problems other than a popeye bicep muscle. Tore left rotator cuff 3 years ago and holding out best I can and can’t lift a 5 gallon bucket with my left arm. Cringe thinking about the pain of another cuff repair. I’m 63.
From: Bob Rowlands
30-Dec-24
I had the cuff tendons of both my shoulders repaired in 1999 using open surgical technique. The doc told me the acromion bone spurs I had were type 3 and the worst he had ever seen. Couple that with a carpentry career and weightlifting and my shoulders were jacked.
It took a full year for 100% recovery, not 4-6 months. But that was open surgery not the arthro so common today. Good luck.
From: TreeWalker
31-Dec-24
Outcomes vary as can tell in the responses so far. One of the predictors is how many surgeries of the type you need which that surgeon has completed previously. I messed up my right shoulder over a decade ago. I was able to recap the rotator cuff without surgery but the impingement in the bone along the top of my shoulder needed a slice of bone cut away to resolve the pain. I followed all the post-op instructions, did the stretching exercises for the shoulder and was at 95% after 30 days and likely reached 100% by end of 90 days. No pain in the right shoulder since. Knock on wood,
From: Slate
31-Dec-24
Had it done and 1 full year recovery. I have absolutely no issues. Listen to your doctor. No joke it’s a tough surgery.
From: Lewis
31-Dec-24
Had it along with 6 bone spurs ground off I too slept in my recliner for a few weeks and iced it a lot.Did all the PT still not as strong as I wanted but I’m 78 the recovery is a bitch Good luck and a lot of good advice here Lewis
From: Chuckster
31-Dec-24
I've had both knees replaced (2014,2020), left shoulder torn rotator in 2017 and right shoulder torn labrum in 2007. The recovery for the knees were much easier compared to the shoulder surgeries. PT sucks but don't miss any sessions. It took almost a full year for the shoulders to fully heal. Good luck.
From: Groundhunter
31-Dec-24
I tore my right rotator in 2022. Two surgeons explained PT, and no surgery for me. I have no daily pain. But limited me for sure. They said I need a new shoulder and would do that, when the time comes, due to future pain.
What they agreed on, I would just retear it. I am 75, but do 200 minutes a week in water exercise, which.includes 50 min of Aqua jogging in deep water. I use to lap swim. Water does wonders. I consider my self lucky
From: BC
31-Dec-24
I had both done 12 years apart. Long recovery on the first one but second shoulder was a piece of cake. Surgery in July, hunting by October. They’ve come along way with this procedure.
From: Bob Rowlands
31-Dec-24
Open shoulder surgery recovery is a mofo.
From: Jasper
31-Dec-24
Thanks everyone for your comments and Happy New Year! I have consultation with the surgeon in 2 weeks and will discuss other potential options and get more details
From: Buffalo1
31-Dec-24
I’ve gotten 3 tee shirts on this subject.
Hope your surgery and rehab goes well. Listen to dr and PT. Remember ice is your best friend.
From: grape
01-Jan-25
It’s been said many times here, and I’ll say it again. Do what they tell you. Had mine done September 17. I asked surgeon if I could shoot my bow by end of May. He said “that’s a good goal”. I thought that was crazy. It wasn’t. I made it, but it was a bitch. I worked on it like crazy. No more pain. It’s a bitch!!
From: Acres4wildlife
01-Jan-25
I've had both of mine worked on. As mentioned, I also slept in a chair for a couple of weeks. It is a painful recovery but do your therapy as instructed and you'll be fine.
From: RD
01-Jan-25
I had surgery on Aug 21 this past year and my surgeon no hunting this year. My PT let me start pulling my 35# recurve 3 weeks ago and now I'm pulling 40#. He said full recovery is still about 2-3 months away.
From: Groundhunter
01-Jan-25
My wife had it, left shoulder. It was miserable a few years back. May till Dec. PT, plus all the PT I had to do for her at home.
Mine, surgeon said don't get cut, if you don't have too, so I was lucky. Cost me shooting a vertical bow, but so what. Changed my casting to left handed. Seemed easier since I have a left master eye, for coordination.
From: Quinn @work
03-Jan-25
I had this surgery on my right shoulder on December 5 and the left shoulder 15 years ago. I'm just out of the sling and will start PT next week. My recovery is 6-9 months. Pulling a bow back will probably be close to 9 months if it's anything like the last surgery.
Make sure to get yourself one of those ice therapy machines that pumps ice water from a cooler through a pad that wraps around your shoulder. It's a life saver that first 10 days. Try and get off the pain killers asap but you WILL need them the first 5 days as it's very painful when your nerve block wears off.
As others have said do your PT 100% and listen to your Physical Therapist and Doctor. Nothing you can do will speed up the recovery besides staying with the protocol your doctor and PT have laid out. It's a long haul.
I'm assuming you must have a small tear if they are saying only 4-6 months, but your doctor will have a for sure estimate after he's done the repair.
Good luck with the surgery!
From: Wapiti Chaser
03-Jan-25
Had both of my shoulders done one in 2021 and one in 2018. Do all the PT and go slow , after six months I was pulling 50 lb longbows. My right shoulder is better than ever the left not quite as good but better. My surgeon is a semiprofessional baseball teams shoulder surgeon so he knows his stuff. Told me if you get 80 percent of predamage use it’s a success . Glad I had mine done and taking care that I don’t have to do it again.
From: jons
03-Jan-25
#4 is coming shortly, this one is a reverse shoulder replacement on my string arm. 3 others were on my bow arm and was back shooting about 4.5 months, starting light #, all I use is a recurve/longbow but a compound caused more problems, using the back muscles more made a difference, use a BowTrainer for rehab and a pungi stick. Had to start over but it clean up my form, shot in the dark of my garage with a point of light on the target about 5 yds and move back with consistency. Got back to the mid-upper 40#s but this one is going to be a learning experience. Would use a mouth release but have front partials that is a problem. Right now I went pheasant hunting and couldn't get my 20 ga up when the rooster rose, my son had a good time shooting them and no I refuse to use a x-bow either. Over come and adapt-- Enjoy the hunt.
From: Lost Arra
04-Jan-25
Make sure your surgeon's criteria for successful surgery are the same as yours.
