Shoulder Separation Recovery Time?
Equipment
While mountain biking and day-dreaming of my upcoming sheep hunt, the unthinkable happened to me yesterday. I hit a large pot-hole that I didn't see while traveling at a high rate of speed. The crash sent me arse-over-tea-kettle for nearly 30 yards on pavement.
I was fortunate my injuries weren't worse. I believe years of playing sports have taught me how to fall. I did the tuck-and-roll and took the majority of the initial impact on my right shoulder. Aside from assorted road rash all over my body, my only injury is to that shoulder.
The doc says it's a 3rd degree separation of the AC joint. He said treatment varies from self-healing to surgery with no consensus on which one is best.
My question is: Have any of you experienced the same, or similar, injury and how long was it until you could pull your bow back?
Gratefully,
Matt
Not sure about the injury. That sucks. Hope you get well soon.
Hope yours isn't as bad as my mother's has been. She fell in April, is in a sling today. She had to have surgery to get the shoulder back in when it happened, she had damage to the rotator and a bone chip floating around. Late in July, she had 5hrs of surgery for more repairs and will be in the sling until 8-28. If her surgery was successful, she will start PT then.
Good luck to you.
once you seperate it, without surgery there is a good chance you will do it again. had my left shoulder rebilt five yrs ago.6 months recovery. getting my right one fixed after this hunting season. you should be fine shooting a bow surgery is always something you can do later. maybe ask about some phy theropy??? be careful good luck
I believe shoulder seperations are classified as first, second or third degree seperation. Unfortunately, third degree is more serious. I had a first degree seperation of left shoulder...healed in about 6 wks. Best of luck.
hornybuck,
Yes they are classified by degree depending on the amount of ligament damage. There are 4th, 5th, and 6th degree separations, but they are very rare and they always require surgery.
The third degree, as mine is, seems to be on the bubble for requiring surgery. If I just let it heal on its own, the doc said I'm going to be left with an ugly hump on my shoulder. I told him that my swimsuit modeling days were long over, so the hump wouldn't bother me as long as the shoulder functions as before.
I can't imagine being able to draw my bow in 3 weeks based on how it feels right now, but I've always been a fast healer, so I'm going to remain hopeful.
Thanks to all who have responded so far, the positive support is helpful.
Matt
I have had multiple injuries to my right shoulder and I shoot R/H'd. My longest recovery with a compound injury (compound meaning two injuries in one, torn rotator cuff, and dislocated right shoulder) was 3 months with physio. However I was shooting my bow in a around the 6 week mark, but was shooting with some discomfort. 3 months and I was fully healed.
Over the years here are the injuries I've had to my right shoulder. dislocated (2X) torn rotator cuff (2X) and broke the last 1/2" of my callor bone (once).
Not to bad, if you don't pay any mind to it, you'll forgot it ever happened and the body has the ability to heal itself and generate new cells every 7 years. If you focus on the injuries your new cells will come in with cell memory and the injury will remain. Forget about it, and before long it will nothing but a distant memory.
Best of luck with your recovery.
PS. I never opted for any surgery, not once. No quake is cutting me open unless it is a lifesaving measure. If given the choice I always walk away, and let the body heal itself.
With that type of bad news from and M.D. I'd have a specialist look at it for sure.Even if that meant some travel time. You don't want to re-injure the joint, that could be far worse. What ever you do don't rush it.
I severely separated my shoulder several years ago. My shoulder was literally sitting 4-5 inches lower than normal. I was shocked when the doc suggested letting it heal on its own. The good news is no surgery and it healed up fine. It has even taken some additional hard impacts without re-separating (hard enough to break my collar bone and top 3 ribs). The bad news is it took months for it to heal enough to pull a bow. I am not sure how bad yours is but I was happy with my decision to avoid surgery. Good luck.
Kadbow,
Right now, my shoulder is drooping about 3 inches.
I'm glad you recovered fully, that's encouraging. The recovery period is a little troubling, though.
I waited 15 years to draw this darn ram tag, and I've never looked forward to a hunt more than this one. I've checked the Colorado regs and I think I can either get a refund on my tag and loose my preference pts, or I can get my preference pts back, with no refund, and get back in the pool for next year. Either way, it's disappointing.
Oh well, like I said, it could have been much worse considering I foolishly wasn't wearing a helmet.
Matt
My daughter went through a should separation surgery, except her shoulder was moving forward and not down. She's a softball player and her recovery was 6 months before she could touch a ball, an additional 3 months before she could be cleared to play again. Shop around for therapy first of course, then shop more if that doesn't work. Good luck!
I've had both shoulders out and broke and self healing has worked well for me. The first one was the whole top of the knuckle off left shoulder and the arm was twisted around behind my head. I have nerve damage in that shoulder and switched to left handed. the doctor set it and told me I was going to be an experiemental case (ARMY). I still have pain but I live with it- I can still shoot a bow and do most things without a problem. My right arm was pulled out joint by our stallion and the doctor s sit it and six months later I was shooting a bow, poundage dropped to 53lbs which is okay. I am back to about 62 know and with todays bows either poundage is good enough. I did a lot of working out and swimming. I used my daughters first bow 15lbs to start with. Hang is there you can do it. A Doctor once told me if they give you the option don't cut.
On 10-19-05 I fell and sustained a third degree seperation of my right shoulder AC joint. It was the most painful injury I have ever had. With that said by Halloween I could not take not hunting during the rut so I turned my bow down from 70lbs. to about 60lbs. and was able to pull it but it brought tears to my eyes. I adjusted my 20 yard pin and started hunting again. If you have the will power you will be able to do it. With that said it was six months before my shoulder was pain free and to this day it still pops out and grinds when lifting weights or while making certain movements. I however have no problems shooting my bow now set back at 70lbs.
An AC (acromioclavicular) separation is very different from a shoulder dislocation. Both injuries will put you out for awhile given how important the shoulder girdle is in drawing a bow. An AC separation, however, is not nearly as bad as the dislocation, although it will likely take 6-8 weeks to fully heal. Fortunately, these types of injuries are not prone to re-injury (unlike shoulder dislocations) and hardly ever require surgery (and when they are operated on, it's usually for cosmetic reasons (i.e., "I don't like the bump on my shoulder").
Jason
Grasshopper,
Your story is consistent with what the ER doc told me. He said, if I can handle the pain of drawing my bow at 3 weeks, I wouldn't do any further injury to the joint by trying.
So there is hope. Thanks, Grasshopper, I needed that.
Matt
Gray Ghost,
Your injury may limit your shooting distance but it will not stop you from hunting. When you do decide to try to draw your bow keep your elbow down near your side and pull string back to your arm pit area then raise bow to your normal shooting position.This will make it a lot less painful. Good luck!
Great tip, Grasshopper.
I'm already encouraged by my healing progress. For the first 24 hours after the crash, I couldn't lift my elbow more than an inch from my side. This morning, I actually combed my hair using my right hand.
I can tell I'll have to get used to a lot of popping and cracking coming from the injured shoulder, though. I can live with that.
Were there any specific rehab exercises that helped you the most?
GG
The Orthopedic surgeon gave me a list of excercises to do but I just went to the gym and did what exercise machines I could do and still bare the pain.I mostly stayed away from free weights except for shoulder raises with very light weight. You have to build scar tissue up to hold your collar bone in place.
GG, I did something similar rollerblading in 1998. It hurt to raise my right arm above 15 degrees.
However, without physical therapy, I had NO progress. It cost me a massive bull that year. I didn't have the range to put it where I wanted. It's that injury, years later, that has prompted me to return to the compound bow. I don't have the pain in that shoulder, but I can't seem to build it up enough to hold a longbow.
I'd suggest that you might want to at least get it massaged, to promote blood flow and healing. And sooner, rather than later. YMMV. Good luck.
Thanks for all the good advice and well wishes, everyone.
Shortbow...rollerblading? I'm not sure I'd admit that, here. ;-)
GG
Rollerblading in Boulder is good for the eyes, amigo.
Good luck with the shoulder. Can you at least operate the compound okay?
BTW, and you'd enjoy this, just got back from Campeche, Mexico. Did a little tarpon fishing, wonderful time there.
Shortbow,
At least you didn't hurt yourself figure skating. ;-)
The tarpon fishing sounds like a blast. I have a number of friends who go to Boca Paila every year for bones, tarpon and permit. One of these years I'm going to find time to join them. Glad you had a good trip. Send me a pic, or two.
As for drawing my compound, there's no way right now. Yesterday was the first day I could lift my elbow away from my side. It still feels like I have a constant bad charlie horse, but the range of motion is improving quickly.
I spoke with a therapist that specializes in sports injuries. He told me I am fortunate that drawing a bow doesn't require me to raise my hand above my head. He also told me of a shoulder harness that many football players use that should help. He's also going to put together an aggressive rehab regiment for me. I was encouraged after speaking with him.
GG
GG, it's like fishing a river. You look for the fish, and go to them. The coves in the mangroves look like the rivers in the Vietnam movies. Darn things even behave like trout. If they figure out you're there, they clam up.
Good luck on the shoulder rehab. The PT hurt like someone put a cattleprod in my shoulder, but it worked MUCH better after the first session. And after five, I had a functioning arm again.
The tuck-and-roll looked more like the wide world of sports ski jumper dude from my angle!!!! Next time maybe you'll take my advise and keep your speed under 45!!!! CUZ!
GG Transfer the tag to me, an I will let you guide.:) The way grasshopper said might be tolerable in a couple weeks, I hope so. Good Luck
Hey CUZ,
Hardy har har...I noticed you always let me take the lead on our rides. Seems I'm always running interference for you. Maybe you're not as daft as I thought. ;-)
GG
And the same to you. I see that you may actually go to a therapist!!! Looks like I may have to come out and be your pack mule for a few days!!!!!
One of fmy hunting partners suffered exactly the same injury on Memorial day. It took him good 4 weeks until he pulled a bow not sure if he could have before then...but he golfed in little less than 3 weeks. No surgery though that was a possibility for him....he just wanted to see how it healed. Leavinng for elk season on Wednesday...he's up to about 60 lbs draw weight and should be good to go.
I've been reading this site for several years and finaly had to join after seeing the shoulder question.I recieved a grade three seperation of the right shoulder in June of 06 while playing in a 38 and older baseball league here in central Alabama. The butchers aka surgens here in Montgomery were very eager to get me on the table but luckily my wifes cousin is a Dr at the sports medicine clinc in Birmingham and he let me know that under no circumstance did a grade three require surgery. But it does require alot of physical therapy that hurts like you know what. My injury happened like I said in June and I started rehab within ten days of the injury and by the time we had our last game in Sept I suited up and was able to throw a baseball again. Very slowly but without pain. It will be weak for a long time. I had to buy a crossbow just to get in the woods for Oct deer season. I've just started shooting my 45# recurve the past few weeks and its going pretty well. I'm actually iceing the shoulder now. I can get 30 or so shots before the joint fatigues and I have to back off. My advice to you is to find a good sports rehab clinic and use them.Ice that shoulder 4-5 time a day this speeds the healing. I went rehab three days a week for 2 hour sessions at a time all summer long .If you do what they tell you it will be fine but I don't know if you'll be ready for that hunt.It should tighten up some in the next few days on its own. Good luck and work hard on it.
Bama,
Welcome to the site and thanks for sharing your story.
I'm glad you didn't let them cut you. The more research I do, the more horror stories I read about AC joint surgery. I never really considered that an option.
My injury is only 5 days old, but I've already seen remarkable improvement. My therapist gave me some low impact exercises to try, but frankly I was already doing more on my own.
As with any injury, or sickness, I think the key is a positive attitude. It's very easy to start feeling sorry for yourself, but that's a waste of time. I figure the good Lord wanted me to really earn my Ram. If so, I'm going to do everything in my power to not disappoint him.
GG
I'm not sure of your age but I'm now 40 and consider myself in pretty good shape and I still have weakness and pain in the shoulder. Once your body heals and yes it will and its going to take time you'll be fine. I've been hurt alot in my years. I used to be in law enforcement for 13 years and before that a college athlete and I've had my share of pain and surgery. I've been knocked off a police motorcyle doing 70 mph in a T-bone type accident, been hit again on a motor and have broken a vertebra,had my right knee reworked, dislocated both sholders a total of four times ( one time on a bow hunt by myself and had to set it in the woods ala Lethal Weapon procedure)three concusions, fell off a two story building, car wreck at 120 mph (police chase in a car ), partially detached retina (motorcycle wreck impact), crushed right foot (motorcycle wreck), 1/3 rupture of right quad (football),broke nose twice,two broken ribs,lacerated kidney (football) and lots of stitches. If it doesn't kill it WILL make you stonger. You've got a few more days of feeling sorry for yourself then its time to get with it. Pic a bow weight your good with and practice alot.Keep us posted and don't forget to send everyone pics of YOUR RAM we know your going to get.
Bama' you are one mean motorscooter!! I had a shoulder separation, and also said no to surgery. I rehabbed mine, and have lifted weights ever since. At 66, I am still lifting, and have no plans to stop.Even after you recover, a little rotator cuff exercise is good insurance.
I read this old thread two weeks ago when I crashed with my mountainbike and hit a three with my right shoulder resulting in a separated shoulder grade three and also a dislocated shoulder. (Though the dislocation is not a problem for me as I’ve had problems with that before. Dislocated it the first time in mid 90’s and more times than I could possibly count since then). And since I’m from sweden with the worst possible healtcare I never got offered surgery or even physio. The emergency doctor said it wasn’t a problem for a guy like me and the ortoped doctor read my journal and concluded that this was not my biggest problem and sent me home.
Was desperate to find out if I would be able to shoot my bow for the hunt this fall...
And now two weeks later on the day I have let a few arrows fly. Hurts a bit but it’s definitly shootable and I shot 40 arrows before my shoulder said stop. Took the bow down about three turns so I’m guessing it’s at #60 now...
To get here I have done lightwheight physio with a rubberband daily. Started four days after injury. Nothing fancy, low wheight in all directions...
I will keep the physio going and shoot a few arrows daily now until the moose hunt starts in three weeks!
So if you had a shoulder separation grade 3 you can get back to shooting quite soon. It feels impossible at first but heals remarkably fast. Listen to your body!
Wapiti is one of the few that understand what the poster asked. It`s not your shoulder popping out of socket it`s that boney knob on the top of the shoulder. When football players get driven into the ground on their shoulder and they say he separated his shoulder....that`s what they are talking about. Unfortunately the pulling of the string back is the exact motion that is impeded by this injury. It may take longer than expected. I had my separated many times and it eventually resulted in arthritis and had to have it surgically repaired along with a torn rotator cuff. It looked like a egg on the top of my shoulder and if you touched it you would cry. Steroids can help but be careful they can weaken other structures in the area. Good luck.
Not all injuries are alike (or perhaps the grade 3 was misdiagnosed). You are shooting a bow more quickly than I could wipe my @$$ with the affected arm after a grade 3 shoulder separation. It took me a few months before I could draw a bow and had to drop my poundage from 70# to #48 to do so.
Remember to HEAT the area BEFORE you start, then ICE when done. One exercise they have you do is walk a peg board with your fingers. You can use on a wall. You take your arm up over your head. TAKE your time. HEAT then ICE.
If you are right handed than you are lucky as with this type of injury you may be able to shoot in a matter of a couple weeks or even less. If right handed and your left shoulder you may be out of action for a few months depending if you have surgery or not. I had a 3rd degree separation of my left shoulder in 2002. I am right handed and I ended up having to shoot right handed for he entire bow season. I could draw a bow left handed but could not even hold one up with me left arm, so no right handed shooting at all. I actually separated it playing football on a friday night and killed my best buck up to that time left handed the following tuesday. My ortho surgeon is a bowhunter and after seeing him that Monday he is the one that recommended I give lefty a try. Said It may hurt a tad to draw the bow but it would do no more damage. Glad I did, it saved my season. I am now at the point where I need a full shoulder replacement of my left shoulder, just holding out a year and a half til i retire. My surgeon says I will be back to shooting 65#s 4 months after my replacement!! Shawn
Can you use a crossbow ?????
Should say I had to shoot left handed the entire bow season!! Shawn
I had a bike accident in 2003 that ruptured tendons and ligaments in my right shoulder (bow arm). The accident and surgery we're the second and third of July. I left for Montana the beginning of September having shot five arrows to get my 20 yard mark. Every day in camp I would grit it out and set another pin. It was terribly painful but I ended up killing an elk.
