JohnCushman
Well-known member
My surgeon told me not to even plan on hunting this fall, even if I get the surgery in May or late April. I see him on the 21st to schedule it.
Rotator cuff surgery
- Thread starter PA deer hunter
- Start date
PA deer hunter
Active member
If it’s an open surgery, you are looking at a 6 month recovery. Good luck John, hopefully they can scope it for you.
Western Traveler1
Well-known member
I just replaced both my shoulders.
I couldn't draw my bow so went in for diagnosis.
I had a full shoulder replacement on my dominant side in May of last year. Killed an antelope and whitetail last Fall with my 300Win mag. No issues.
Just had a full shoulder replacement on my other side in December. They severed and reattached my biceps tendon on both. One was nearly torn completely and the other looked like shredded yarn instead or cord.
I expect to be shooting my bow by mid-summer. I won't be pulling 65# ever again but plan to be over 50#. The MOST PAINFUL replacement procedure of the three (shoulder, hip and knee) I am told but so worth it and glad it is behind me.
They have been doing full shoulder replacements for over 50 years.
One of the surgeons I saw is in Missoula MT and he does bow hunters all the time. Has specific exercises to help return to form in their PT unit. I got to hunt with him last Fall.
JohnCushman
Well-known member
That's good to hear
JohnCushman
Well-known member
So, I saw my shoulder surgeon today. I think he's a dick. He told me I should be used to my shoulder popping in and out after 14 years from the original injury in Iraq. I talked back to him in his own medical terms (don't have a medical argument with a medic) and told him I wasn't going to wait until it pops all the way out and I end up in the emergency room for it. I told him he's going to fix it now. He finally agreed. I'm waiting for a call back to schedule the surgery. Sometimes you have to advocate for yourself and not put up with crap from a doctor. I have a labral tear along with a bicep tendon tear and rotator cuff tendonosis and degeneration on the humoral head.
pabearhunter
Well-known member
Did he agree to fix it AFTER he got up off the floor.......
805Bowhunter
Member
As others have mentioned...the best way to screw everything up is to rush. Listen to every single thing that your Dr./PT says and put in the work doing the "small" stuff. All the little exercises that seem stupid at the time will save your A$$ in the long run. You will be fine, just dont rush. Read lots of books and keep yourself busy. It will be over before you know it and you'll be so motivated to hunt being that you had it taken away from you for a little. Keep your chin up!
Western Traveler1
Well-known member
Sending you a PM
JohnCushman
Well-known member
Just got the call....surgery May 10th
PA deer hunter
Active member
Got luck John ! Hopefully you’ll get a physical therapist you can trust. Seems, at least so far, that’s the key to recovery. Mine works for the surgeon, seems to have his act together.
Depending on exactly what they do in surgery, I would be optimistic that you will be able to hunt this fall John!
devon deer
Well-known member
Visited my PT today, well actually I had been having PT for 12 months and I asked to be referred to a specialist.
He did the usual, checked the X-ray, all good, checked my movement, not great in one exercise, and my posture was not right as my body was compensating for the injury.
He said for a man of my age (59 in a few weeks) he would expect some tears in the tendon knowing what I do for work/hobbies.
He gave me a steroid injection (went in a different way this time to the other PT) which is a bit painful tonight.
He stated see how it goes over the next few months, if no improvement he would consider referring me onto a surgeon for a possible operation, out of work for 4-6 months, which would be ok over winter, but I would prefer to not go down that route, watch this space.
As I left he said don't do any heavy lifting for a few days, I went hunting tonight, I saw a herd of big red deer, broadside shots, 200 yards, but let them walk, I do listen occasionally!
Cheers
Richard
He did the usual, checked the X-ray, all good, checked my movement, not great in one exercise, and my posture was not right as my body was compensating for the injury.
He said for a man of my age (59 in a few weeks) he would expect some tears in the tendon knowing what I do for work/hobbies.
He gave me a steroid injection (went in a different way this time to the other PT) which is a bit painful tonight.
He stated see how it goes over the next few months, if no improvement he would consider referring me onto a surgeon for a possible operation, out of work for 4-6 months, which would be ok over winter, but I would prefer to not go down that route, watch this space.
As I left he said don't do any heavy lifting for a few days, I went hunting tonight, I saw a herd of big red deer, broadside shots, 200 yards, but let them walk, I do listen occasionally!
Cheers
Richard
PA deer hunter
Active member
Do what you can to avoid an open surgery. Recovery is a long, suck filled road!
JohnCushman
Well-known member
Richard....how does your shoulder effect your fly rod casting? My shoulder pops partially in and out when I try to cast so I haven't fly fished in a couple of years and it's driving me nuts!!
dirtclod Az.
Well-known member
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- Jan 24, 2018
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- 2,776
Yep,Cush Whiskey!
Western Traveler1
Well-known member
My replacement improved my form LOL. 10 o'clock 2 o'clock, 10 o'clock 2 o'clock....
devon deer
Well-known member
My issues pails into insignificance compared to your problems John.
If I had to I guess I could live with it.
As an example, I was using an iron bar to smash a post out of concrete last week, no issues, I pulled 2 large red deer on my trolley, no issues, but a simple trip made me quickly put out my arms to save myself and the pain was horrendous as it jerked my shoulder.
As far as fly casting, for myself no issues at all, but if for example I am teaching a client, and demonstrate how over powering the cast on the forward stroke can result in a tailing loop, ouch!
I hope it all goes well for you in your operation.
Cheers
Richard
sbhooper
Well-known member
This is 100 percent correct. I am five weeks out and I am just to the point that I can get more movement from my shoulder, but still cannot put any weight on it. Shoulders are different from knees, hips etc., because the only thing that heels them is time. If the physical therapist pushes too hard, it will screw things up, too. Some do. I am lucky to have outstanding ones here, that take it slowly and do it right. My left shoulder was done several years ago and I have zero restraints with it, because I followed directions. Almost wrecked it a couple years ago, when I shot a turkey and realized too late that I had turned my shoulder into the tree that I was sitting by. Luckily, I got over it with no apparent damage.
This is an understatement for sure!! Week 5 seems like regressing and not progressing. Definitely a marathon, not a sprint I guess.
John, how did your surgery go? Were they able to just scope it? The first few weeks of my recovery time were spent watching all of Randy’s shows. The episode with Gerald, his boys and yourself is still one of my faves. Thank you for your service and I hope your recovery is going well!
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