doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Torn Rotator Cuff

Had right rotator cuff and bicep surgery on December 5th. Surgeon said no shooting for 4-6 months unless I want to see him again.

I have both shoulders to fix. Right one is worse and will need to be done first but I can still operate a pump gun like I could as a teenager. As long as I function I am going to delay.

I've been to the "expert" who does all the baseball players and the football players. In my case he said unless I did something stupid or injured one by accident I can delay for now. But he set me up with a physical therapy regiment which is designed to both stabilize the joint and increase the strength. PT has helped me a lot. It might not work well for everyone but I am sticking to it for as long as it works for me. I figure when I have to do the surgery it will take the best part of two years to do the PT and get as much recovery as possible on both sides. So until I retire or have the odd two years to spend doing it I'm stuck watching what I do and shooting a lot of .410.

Get as good advice as you can before you act. Do as much PT before you start and do even more after have any surgery. PT is a B---- but it does help. I've been through multiple minor cleanups and a tendon reattachment. It is not pretty to look at but I still have full range of motion, decent strength and only moderate pain. Plus I like shooting .410 a lot. 800 loads per bag of shot.

I damaged my right shoulder in a motorcycle wreck 20 years ago, then the rotator cuff in the gym 2 years ago. The doctor took and xray, said "it's a mess in there; take it easy on it". Then last October I completely tore (2" separation) the supra-spinatus (I heard it tear as well as felt it). Someone at the same doctor's office said "if you can lift your arm at all it isn't torn. just take it easy on it." That's bull. Mine was bad. 2 months after surgery it's already a lot better than anytime in the past 2 years. No strength yet but it's coming back.

Go to a surgeon who knows what he's doing. Your GP doesn't know jack. Get the surgery and get it fixed. The surgery isn't that bad. The physical therapy isn't that bad IF you got the right attitude, meaning you want your arm back. The other choice is just remain crippled for life. They can do wonders on a shoulder.

No shooting yet and he said mine was bad and it'd be a year before I'm back to normal. I've a hunch my 378 weatherby will have to go but I can't imagine any problems with lesser stuff.

Roger

I hurt my right should with a bad throwing motion playing catcher in a fast pitch league as a teenager. The shoulder gradually gave more problems as I travelled around the world and played every sport conceivable. About 10 years ago in Pakistan, I suddenly couldn't lift the right arm. I could pull, but not push or lift. I was one handed. Back home I discovered the cartilage had gone - shoulder replacement. I reasoned that I was one handed now - what's the risk and scheduled surgery as soon as I could get on the excellent sports medicine doc's list. He discovered a perfect socket and I only needed the ball.

5 months later with 1.5 hrs a day of PT mostly at home, I picked up a 5 lb weight and put it on a top shelf. A month after that I had to re qualify to go overseas which included shooting a Remington 870 firing heavy loads. No problem. 10 years later I do everything except heavy weight lifting and I can throw better than when I was 18.

I guess the lesson is - why wait for something to get worse-you'll just be getting older? and 2) it you do the surgery, commit to doing the work afterwards.

Buzz,
My function had been reduced so much I had no choice. I sought the treatment at a well known sports medicine center that has helped members of various Detroit teams. I've had my shoulder function reduced even after surgery and rehab because I waited so long. An affected person should at least seek the advice of a trusted and recomended medical practice.
I'm simply suggesting not to ignore a potential problem that could effect how we enjoy our field pursuits.
Karl

Listen to what Buzz says about surgery being the last resort. It is between you and a trusted doctor to decide. Buzz is more than an armchair observer of things medical. Murphy's law does exist in a surgical arena. I jammed a knee a few seasons ago and deliberately chose a retired orthopedic surgeon who no longer operates but still sees patients. His only treatment course was limited to conservative treatment. The knee is now fine. Would another doc recommended surgery? I didn't have to find out. Over thirty years ago I had sciatic right side pain in my hip and butt. I flunked the straight leg raise test (Laseque's Test)--indicative of a bulging or ruptured disc at L5-S1, confirmed by a CT scan and was sent to a neurosurgeon. " I am ready when you are." and from the look in his eyes, a little too eager. I opted for conservative treatment with exercise, had a stand-up desk made to keep from sitting all the time and bought a kneel/sit chair for the office. I was lucky not to go under the knife. Good luck in your decision and results. Your choice of doctor is as important as your choice of course of action. Gil

Thanks, buzz ........and everyone who posted.

I'm 66, still strong and active, still work on the farm with some heavy equipment and all that entails. I really want to stay as healthy as I reasonably can, and believe very much in maintaining a strong immune system. Remember, I've said my goal is to kill a limit of doves on my 100th b'day. But, is there any way to help prevent rotator cuff injuries, aside from never doing anything strenuous ? Would the same exercise techniques that are prescribed for therapy strengthen a healthy shoulder to help prevent these injuries?

SRH

About five years ago I went for a brisk walk once I got home from a very long drive. Winter here, dark with no street lights and I was walking down a steep sidewalk. Hit an ice patch on the sidewalk and took a terrible fall....in trying to avoid landing on my lower back, I rotated in the air and came down with all my weight onto my right shoulder. Torn rotator cuff. When I think back to it I laugh because it hurt so much I just lay on the sidewalk for about five minutes, trying to recover. Then it dawned on me that if I didn't get up, someone was going to drive by and think I was dead. LOL

No surgery yet. Bothers me regularly. However, luckily, I don't notice it shooting. Now, I'm only hunting so I'm not pounding out the rounds all year long. However, at age 59, it's only going to get worse if I don't do something. This thread has been interesting.

1. What Bro. Buzz said
2. None of us can provide (intelligent) advice without reviewing (intelligently) your MRI. Really.
3. Rotator cuff injuries are almost always (in us old guys) associated with other shoulder pathology.
4. If an old guy collapses on the street and has a tattoo "Do Not Resuscitate" on his chest, and no scars as evidence of previous surgery, he is likely a retired doc. Really.
5. Exercises help both heal and prevent injury, but need to be directed based on YOUR MRI, by a therapist with experience in YOUR problem.
My R shoulder is a mess, but swimming regularly helps a great deal, and helps my other mess body parts unless I overdo
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rotator-cuff-home-rehabilitation-exercises

Thanks to all who have posted. I wish you guys had better news.
I don't know the extent of my tear only that it is small at this time. I've had an X-ray and Ultrasound. Need to book an appointment with the Doc to discuss.

The Doc is recommending steroid shots as pain management. I wonder if the steroid does anything else like buffer further injury?