Bowsite MD ?
General Topic
Anyone have any personal knowledge or experience with shoulder arthritis? Interested in hearing your story- how serious of a case, treatment and impact on shooting a bow. Tks
PM me I had shoulder impingement surgery in 2020
I had chronic shoulder issues after injuries and 4 surgeries. I had a stem cell injection and my results have been life changing. Its been 3years since my treatment and pain is gone and I shoot my bow regularly.
Soon. My wife is having her shoulder scoped on Dec 2.
Hope to get my golf, fishing and hunting partner back. She currently can't draw her bow
Arthritis and bone spur
Soon. My wife is having her shoulder scoped on Dec 2.
Hope to get my golf, fishing and hunting partner back. She currently can't draw her bow
Arthritis and bone spur
I met with shoulder surgeon today. I have shoulder surgery scheduled for 1/3/23. Surgeon will "scope" shoulder and clean out scar tissue & debris and reattach bicep tendons, if necessary.
Any bowsiters experienced this type of shoulder surgery. Would love to hear your post surgery experiences and recovery/rehab time.
I have already had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders. I could write a medical paper on these surguries.
Thanks
Well just had a MRI on right shoulder. Have a tear in the rotator cuff. Go in on Feb 7th. Shoulder full of arthritis and no pain. I told them because I work out daily in the water. They were amazed at that. Anyway if I can get in earlier they will call. Medical College of Wis and Froedert hospital. All I can do now is aqua jog in deep water have to keep right shoulder quiet.
Ground hunter,
Best to you on your upcoming surgery. I have had both shoulders “rotator cuffed”. He a good surgeon, follow PT directions and recovery and rehab should hopefully go well. Ice will be your “new best friend !”
Ground hunter,
Best to you on your upcoming surgery. I have had both shoulders “rotator cuffed”. He a good surgeon, follow PT directions and recovery and rehab should hopefully go well. Ice will be your “new best friend !”
I have arthritis- in a lot of places actually not just my shoulder.
A good PT and band exercises have helped relieve the pain and kept me from going under the knife. It might be worth talking to One first.
In my case, the way I was drawing my bow impinged on my shoulder joint. Doing the correct exercises to strengthen that area and the correct draw have pretty much solved my problems for now.
It’s hard to describe without actually showing someone in person but essentially my shoulders were slightly tilted forward when I was drawing. This creates an impingement in your rotator cuff. Do that for many years and you will get arthritis and other issues.
In my case, A combination of consciously rotating my shoulders back before drawing and the corresponding rotator cuff series of exercises keeps that joint open and strong and no pain.
Beendare,
I have been through MRI, 2 cortisone shots and much PT. I have got "trash" in shoulder and possible bicep tendon tear. Surgery is the only option.
Currently unable to draw & hold bow and cannot shoulder a rifle. Lord only knows what recoil would do to shoulder. I have lost my 2022 deer hunting season and trying to get in "shoulder shape" for 2023 season.
Hope you get positive results with your surgery, Greg!
Broke 3 ribs,right wrist and dislocated my right shoulder in a motorcycle crash in my early 20s I've suffered with shoulder pain ever since. 61 now and my shoulder pain has actually eased up a bit but I have extremely limited range of motion in that arm. 40lb trad bows and 55lb compound is the most I care to shoot these days. I'm currently hunting with an Oneida phoenix at 50lb.
I hope everything turns out well for you Greg. I have shoulder problems too, but if I do my band exercises daily it does them a world of good. My biggest problem is remembering to do them daily. I usually wait until one or the other starts hurting.
Let me know how it turns out.
When PT & bands are not working, but only making matters worse, common sense tell one to stop doing them.
My shoulder is just like having trash in the eye- the more it is rubbed, the worse it is irritated and the worse the condition get. The only way to resolve the problem is to flush the and remove the debris so the eye can heal.
As a shoulder surgeon for 29 years ( retiring next week! ) and amvictim of 4 shoulder surgeries I’ll do the best I can to generalize with some thoughts 1) shoulder pathology can be all over the place, it’s hard to give advice on a blog without specific knowledge of the symptoms, history, exam and X-rays and MRI. Be careful about what conclusions you draw without proper background 2) pick an experienced shoulder surgeon ( preferably fellowship trained but not always the case) and make sure he answers every question you have regarding surgery , risks and recovery 3) get lots of references. Ignore their marketing for most part 4) first class therapist is crucial 5) be committed, it can be rough but sometimes it’s not not too tough. DO NOT CHEAT and start back shooting, lifting etc too soon. To revise a failed shoulder surgery is usually a bitch with lower success rates.
Good luck and Godspeed on your recovery
Albert
As a shoulder surgeon for 29 years ( retiring next week! ) and amvictim of 4 shoulder surgeries I’ll do the best I can to generalize with some thoughts 1) shoulder pathology can be all over the place, it’s hard to give advice on a blog without specific knowledge of the symptoms, history, exam and X-rays and MRI. Be careful about what conclusions you draw without proper background 2) pick an experienced shoulder surgeon ( preferably fellowship trained but not always the case) and make sure he answers every question you have regarding surgery , risks and recovery 3) get lots of references. Ignore their marketing for most part 4) first class therapist is crucial 5) be committed, it can be rough but sometimes it’s not not too tough. DO NOT CHEAT and start back shooting, lifting etc too soon. To revise a failed shoulder surgery is usually a bitch with lower success rates.
Good luck and Godspeed on your recovery
Albert
Had the procedure your doing on 1/23/22. The surgeon said if you wake up and have a regular sling on, things went good. If Thiers an imobilizer sling on- not so good. Regular sling for me!!!!!
Had shoulder pain so bad could no longer sleep. The scoped and cleaned up the authritis, and shaved the bottom of my collar bone to relieve the bursitis. I had a 20% year in one tendon that he said d we oiled heal on its own. He reattached the bicep tendon. After a couple weeks was well into therapy. On April 17 I shot a turkey with my bow and in November shot the two biggest bucks of my life. Nearly one year later, I have 85% overhead strength in my surgery shoulder, and zero pain sleeping. It was life changing for sure. I guess what I can say to you is- 1). Follow your pt to a T 2). Make sure your pt works your shoulder out. I had a fill in one day and she was not good at all. It should be painful and sore when your done 3) follow an iceing regimin!!!!!! 4). Keep at your cardio or walking what ever!!!!!!!!! Lots of ass time you’ll put on weight in a hurry!!!!!
Good luck!!!!!!!
Glidingindian- very solid advice. Thanks for sharing.
My personal situation: 3 tears by MRI (rotator cuff, superior biceps tendon, and labrum).
I had PRP injections (high density platelets), in the rotator cuff, and superior biceps tendon, over 4 years ago.
I can shoot my 65 pound compound all day, still. I was seriously struggling, before the injections. I am pretty protective of the shoulder, I try not to do things to aggravate it. I stretch it regularly, and also ice it 4 days a week, by putting an ice pack on the strap of my loaded pack, when I do my treadmill run.
Just an "alternative" treatment experience, all I know is, it worked for me.
As a shoulder surgeon for 29 years ( retiring next week! ) and amvictim of 4 shoulder surgeries I’ll do the best I can to generalize with some thoughts 1) shoulder pathology can be all over the place, it’s hard to give advice on a blog without specific knowledge of the symptoms, history, exam and X-rays and MRI. Be careful about what conclusions you draw without proper background 2) pick an experienced shoulder surgeon ( preferably fellowship trained but not always the case) and make sure he answers every question you have regarding surgery , risks and recovery 3) get lots of references. Ignore their marketing for most part 4) first class therapist is crucial 5) be committed, it can be rough but sometimes it’s not not too tough. DO NOT CHEAT and start back shooting, lifting etc too soon. To revise a failed shoulder surgery is usually a bitch with lower success rates.
Good luck and Godspeed on your recovery
Albert
glidingindian, thanks for the post as that is of interest to all of us older bowhunters because sooner or later your information will be used by us. Badbull
Great posts. I tore my cuff first time at 73. I went directly to a great surgeon at Foredert in Milwaukee.... he was surprised on how I had no daily pain with all the arthritis in my shoulders. I told him 300 minutes week.in the pool, aqua jogging for an hour a day. He was impressed.
As a shoulder surgeon for 29 years ( retiring next week! ) and amvictim of 4 shoulder surgeries I’ll do the best I can to generalize with some thoughts 1) shoulder pathology can be all over the place, it’s hard to give advice on a blog without specific knowledge of the symptoms, history, exam and X-rays and MRI. Be careful about what conclusions you draw without proper background 2) pick an experienced shoulder surgeon ( preferably fellowship trained but not always the case) and make sure he answers every question you have regarding surgery , risks and recovery 3) get lots of references. Ignore their marketing for most part 4) first class therapist is crucial 5) be committed, it can be rough but sometimes it’s not not too tough. DO NOT CHEAT and start back shooting, lifting etc too soon. To revise a failed shoulder surgery is usually a bitch with lower success rates.
Good luck and Godspeed on your recovery
Albert
glidingindian,
What is your opinion of using a Game Ready Pro 2.1System vs. ice packs for icing a shoulder for 2 weeks post surgery?
Tks
Buffalo1 it's like comparing a ferrari to a camry. The game ready is an ice pack on steroids, the compression feels great. I'm a PT, most of my post-op shoulders get 15-20 minutes of game ready after we're done with our session.
As a shoulder surgeon for 29 years ( retiring next week! ) and amvictim of 4 shoulder surgeries I’ll do the best I can to generalize with some thoughts 1) shoulder pathology can be all over the place, it’s hard to give advice on a blog without specific knowledge of the symptoms, history, exam and X-rays and MRI. Be careful about what conclusions you draw without proper background 2) pick an experienced shoulder surgeon ( preferably fellowship trained but not always the case) and make sure he answers every question you have regarding surgery , risks and recovery 3) get lots of references. Ignore their marketing for most part 4) first class therapist is crucial 5) be committed, it can be rough but sometimes it’s not not too tough. DO NOT CHEAT and start back shooting, lifting etc too soon. To revise a failed shoulder surgery is usually a bitch with lower success rates.
Good luck and Godspeed on your recovery
Albert
Had arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder 1/3. Cleaned joint out of scar tissue, bursitis and clipped a smaller bicep tendon to allow more range and motion once healed. Was in low level PT for range and motion (one formal session and rest of PT at home.
Follow up dr. visit on 1/17.
Started advanced level PT which includes range and motion and strengthening on 1/18. Will be doing PT for 6 wks. Hope to be released from dr on 2/28.
PT is allowing me to putt now and may be able to start chipping golf balls in a few weeks. No date given on full swing of golf club or drawing my bow. That will be revealed with time. I am looking at a full golf tournament schedule and using down time to do research on outfitters for future hunts.
I appreciate all the advice and information shared by Bowsiters who have have personal experiences or are ortho specialist. Your input helped a lot. Tks
Buffalo1 I'm happy it went well for you. Keep up the PT and don't be tempted to overdo it.
So I had a torn labrum (2006) and torn rotator (2015) so I'm familiar with the symptoms. About a year ago, I started experiencing some discomfort in my shoulder that was getting worse over the next 3-4 months. Based on my symptoms, I thought I had a torn labrum again. My Ortho doc checked me out and suspected I had "calcification tendinitis of the supraspinatus". He gave me a shot in my shoulder and said if its not better in 3 weeks, go get an MRI. It took about 5 weeks but my shoulder is feeling much better.
Buffalo1, good luck on your recovery.
Buffalo1, Groundhunter...how did your surgeries go?
I've suspected a tear in my rotator for a few years. X-Rays just came back negative so currently waiting to get the MRI scheduled. I do have full range of motion and 90% strength. It doesn't hurt much with band work. It hasn't bothered me drawing my bow either. We'll see what the MRI says. I'm 36 and nervous about recovery time if I do have surgery soon. Kid's baseball (already started and I'm coaching), fishing and turkey hunting all coming up soon.
My surgery went well. It was a "clean out" of right shoulder socket. Issue was caused by scar tissue from a 20 yr old rotator cuff surgery. Doctor also cleaned out a lot of bursitis and smoothed up some rough bone. Dr also snipped a tendon to allow for more range and motion in the future. Healing time for tendon is 4-6 wks. I now have a "Popeye bicecp". I was shown photos of surgery- interesting stuff.
I began PT 4 days post surgery and did self PT for 2 wks. After 2 week post dr visit I began PT at a clinic with a physical therapist. I just completed week 4 today (going 2x per week) of 6 wks therapy. I have 2 more weeks of therapy to complete. Will then see dr to probably be released.
I am making progress. Lots of range and motion exercises with strengthening sprinkled in. I could not swing a golf club Tuesday- today I could swing and was told to slow swing speed down. I am allowed to putt and chip off of a mat. Forecasted to be a full playing swing by end of March.
There has been no mention of drawing my bow yet. I was asked the weight of my bow today (50# Elite Ritual). I hope we may begin on strengthening muscle to draw a bow in the next couple of sessions.
When I had my first rotator cuff (right shoulder) it was 13 week rehab time. At the time I was shooting a 62# bow and had to drop weight to 45# for the bow season.
When I had second rotator cuff (left shoulder) it was 6 week rehab time. I was in my 50's at the time of these two surgeries. I am now in mid 70's, so age and recovery time are very noticeable.
I hope to be shooting my bow by May. This would be about a 5 month surgery to shoot bow time. Golf swing will be about a 3.5-4 month surgery to playing.
I am following therapist orders and doing my exercises per instruction. I do not want to mess up the plan and suffer a setback due to anxiousness.
Best if luck with your MRI- hopefully it will reveal the problem. A good ortho surgeon and a good physical therapist is the essential team.
Hope I did not share too much trivia details.
Good to hear, Greg! Keep up the good work!
Great to hear. Thanks for the update.
Today was a BIG DAY! Got full medical release from physical therapist and surgeon. Both were well pleased with strength and range/motion of shoulder/arm. Therapist set me up with a physical exercise maintenance program to continue to strengthen my shoulder.
He also provided me with a schedule to rebuild my golf swing and a program to rebuild my shoulder/muscles for drawing my bow. I should be at full golf swing in 30 days and be able to start drawing my bow in about 45 days. I am looking forward to again enjoying my golfing and bowhunting in future days.
Appreciate everyone following along and hopefully my experience may help another person.
Nothing an obscene amount of ibuprofen, caffeine, and metal music can’t fix!
Greg, that's great news!
I'm six weeks into PT for rotator cuff and seeing some progress. Thankfully I have no arthritis to deal with. The soreness from the PT makes it difficult to really measure it, but I can feel a bit of improvement. Hope to be able to draw a 50# by June, but not going to push it. I may dial my backup bow down to 35 or so to get started.
Lou,
"I can feel your pain!". Wise not to rush things. Slow and steady and heal properly with no after affects!
I’m no doctor…but I play one on the internet. Grin
I have arthritis in my knees, back, shoulders and hands.
Go see your doc then ask to see a good PT. The PT’s have been a godsend. There are a lot of things That were recommended specific to me that help without medication.
Beendare, I'm lucky to live a few miles from the Orthopedic Center of the Rockies. Best care in the country. I feel bad for those who don't have access to that level of diagnostics. PT fixed my knee, elbow, and now shoulder, but the hip needed a new joint. I agree on PT over any other alternative if possible.
I had a MRI full rotator tear. Froedert Milwaukee top surgeon and PT team. No surgery, waste of time It would tear again. Lots of arthritis in affected right shoulder. Eventually Surgeon said, full shoulder replacement, maybe. However in PT program now till June, twice a week. Of course daily plan programmed for me
PT guy was surprised I have no pain. When he found out I was an aqua jogger and pool work out guy, he wrote me up added water work outs. That's why no pain.
Hope to shoot by August
