shoulder injury

[dave gross]

In late February I decided to clear some large icicles from the edge of my roof.  A sharp rap with an axe brought one weighing more than 100 pounds from 16 feet up...which landed on my right shoulder.  I was unable to move the arm and thinking the shoulder was broken went to the  ER and then to an orthopedist who informed me that there were no broken bones but some signifigant nerve and tendon damage.  After two months I have regained some strength and range of motion in the arm but have little control over the bicep and tricep and cannot raise the arm to shoulder level. The doc says it will all come back in a few months but shooting season is here and we were hoping to get some practice this weekend.  Shouldering the rifle is nearly impossible and going southpaw doesn't seem like a solution.  I know that some on this forum have overcome obstacles much more serious than mine and I would like to hear how you may have dealt with some of these "rocks in the road".  Thanks.

Dave Gross
way Down East in Maine

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

A few years ago, while hunting with a buddy, I was walking carefully along an old clay road.  It was slick with water and there were many dirty deep puddles.  I slipped off the crown of a ridge and fell face first into a pond, driving the rifle in my hand deep into the mud.  The jar of me trying to save myself a soaking (didn't work) tore the insides in my right shoulder.  Physiotherapy and message therapy didn't do much good.  I am a longbow archer and our indoor season was already in progress for the winter, but I could not draw my target bow - a mere 54 #'er.  So I went to a 34 # bow and to no avail.  My daughter, a registered message therapist, told me it would get better on its own, but it would take a year.  She was right.  I'm as good as I ever was now, and have no difficulties.  The test was to draw my 100 # warbow.  No shoulder issues anymore.

'endeavor to persevere'

[hanshi]

Sorry about your shoulder injury, Dave; I can empathize.  About 18 years ago I started having major problems with my right shoulder.  Xrays showed a torn rc, tendon in shreds and calcified joint.  It required fairly major surgery; he removed the remainder of the tendon, cut away some bone and stitched up the rotator cuff.  Surgery required the shoulder to be cut open across the top and endoscope holes in the front and back. 

Passive therapy on the arm movement for 3 months then supervised therapy for 6 more months with the last three months therapy on my own.  Even after a year of therapy it took three more years before I could use normal force with that arm.

I didn't shoot much but went southpaw when I did.  However!  18 months after the surgery I went through the exact same thing with the left.  I regained about 80% use with each shoulder but still can't do forceful movements such as punching a bag, bench presses, pushups or have either arm moved/bent/etc.  I can shoot with no problem.  I know what you're going through so don't be too hard on yourself; it will heal.  You do need to keep shooting so go left just for a little while.

[Daryl]

Years ago now, I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon due to a shoulder injury - shooting a modern elephant rifle some 15,000 times did some non-reparable damage to my right shoulder.  This probably was not as bad as yours, Dave. I had no rotator cuff damage, however the cartilage was smashed in my shoulder, on the front and on the back as well and I could not even pick up a coffee cup, let alone a cup of coffee.  When my shoulder rotated forward out of joint one day as I reached behind me on the bed head for a Kleenex, my right shoulder dislocated- hurt like $#*! and locked, so I reached up with my left hand and pulled my arm back down - My family Dr. said "That's when you blew the cartilage on the back of your shoulder - anyway- that hurt some more.

Feeling very sorry for myself, I baby'd my shoulder for some time, had to 'carry my right hand in my right pocket as it was useless.  I was so depressed, I sold my 14 bore rifle to a close friend. I could not even shoulder her, let alone shoot her.

After waiting for over 12 months to 'see' the orthpedic (socialist health care) surgeon, my cousin, a retiring MD  climbed all over my case and said "work that shoulder, use it, you have to build up the muscle to support it, do not rely upon a surgeon to repair it - they seldom can help with a cartilage injury, but will try and then you could be in worse shape than ever".

Well, I did just as he said - after waiting another 6 months on the surgeon who never called even to acknowledge that I was his patient - took what Rick said to heart.   It was a long road to recovery, but here I am, a number of years later, but for several of those (I got the 14 bore back) Ive been able to shoot her without having to wear a P.A.S.T. shoulder protector. i was able to shoot that rifle after about 6 o r8 months of exercising my shoulder, nothing special, but actually using my arm as best I could. The body is an intriguing machine and wants to run well - we need to let it.

I sincerely hope this gives you some form of white light at the end of a long recovery.

I wish you a compete recovery - it is possible.  as long as i keep using my shoulder, it gets stronger all the time.

[hanshi]

Ooops!  Addendum.  Mine was not from injury but (according to the doctor and my wife) tissue damage from a nascent autoimmune affliction aggravated by punching my shoulders out (I was a boxer back then).  It can be sudden as yours was or it can creep up on you as mine did.  Listen to your doc and don't get ahead of yourself.  

[WadePatton]

...r, nothing special, but actually using my arm as best I could. The body is an intriguing machine and wants to run well - we need to let it.

I sincerely hope this gives you some form of white light at the end of a long recovery.

I wish you a compete recovery - it is possible.  as long as i keep using my shoulder, it gets stronger all the time.

I too wish for the full and speedy recovery for Dave and Daryl and of all of us afflicted.  As to DS's comment "intriguing machine" part of this I'd like to add that, through my nutritional studies over the years (amateur-unfunded), I've found one stellar researcher/MD who presents a very transparent interpretation of the latest data available, publishing videos and articles routinely at "nutritionfacts.org".  It is quite amazing the abuse our bodies continually fix/repair/resist, and with good information, we can help-or at least reduce the stresses we place upon it.

But that is a "OTBF" topic so let us not deviate down that path here. 

[SCLoyalist]

I believe I'd be looking at avoiding any activity that might hinder the recovery the doctor has indicated will come in a few months.  Are there any 'shoulder-friendly' activities like cross stick or bench that you never seemed to get around to that you now have opportunity to explore? 

Good luck for a speedy, uneventful, and straightforward recovery.  SCL

[dave gross]

Seems that many of us have suffered similar injuries...the shoulder is a very complex assembly and it is a wonder that the intricate web of bone, muscle, tendon and nerves could ever stitch themelves back into working order but the comments here and elsewhere are testament that time heals all wounds.  Thanks, friends, for the encouragement and benefit of your experiences. I have a goal of offhand shooting by June 1...or it will be the x-sticks and bench for me.

Dave

[Larry Pletcher]

I had similar trouble with my right shoulder. I tore the rotator cuff and had surgery.  The therapy was too aggressive, and the connectors tore. A second surgery was done with less aggressive therapy.  However the muscles had atrophied for too long, and the shoulder remained weak.  A year later I dislocated the shoulder playing basketball. The joint was stretched too far and I lost movement in my hand.  That eventually came back, but the shoulder was so loose that it would come apart in my sleep.  A third surgery was done to tighten up the joint. 

I can handle light rifles, but my basketball days are over.  At 69, I guess I should expect that.

Regards,
Pletch   

[ratfacedmcdougal]

I have to say that due to David's injury, tomorrow's shoot might be the first time I can out shoot him.
On the serious side, it is sad to see him in this shape. Dave is an artist in many mediums and the loss of use to his right arm, has to be more of a bummer than he lets on, to me anyway.
  The shoot by the way will be four of us shooting our rifles that David built in the 70s through '13. It will be fun to see all those rifles performing. Lots of smoke and noise and laughter. Lots of laughter, you have to know his brother.
  RFMcD

[bob in the woods]

Some 8 years ago, I did in my left rotator cuff . Carrying some dry wall in the house, and the wind caught the sheets. Ouch !!!
I went to the doctor, and he told me I could have an operation, or leave it alone. I would need to keep it moving as best I could without "straining" it. No problem ! It hurt so bad, straining it wasn't an option.  Sleeping was uncomfortable, as was most everything else.  I asked the doctor when it would be better, and like others said " about a year "  That was with or without the operation.  Sure enough, it took the year. I woke up one morning and realized that my shoulder was fine . It took about another 6 months to build up the strength to where it was before [ archery ]
A friend had similar problems, and opted for the surgery. It took him a year to heal as well. Sometimes doing nothing is the best. Just keep moving so it doesn't lock up.