No Hunting For Me

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red rick said:
It looks like I am not going hunting this year . I have been having shoulder pain since July and it progressed 3 weeks ago to waking me up all night . I saw the orthopedic Dr. and he saw a tear in my rotator cuff on the MRI . He scheduled the operation next week and told me my arm will be in a sling for 6 weeks and 3 months of physical therapy .

I just retired in September and had big hunting plans this year . I wanted to take kids hunting and people that have never been hunting before . I bought 2 new shotguns for this recently to lend the new hunters .

I was going to wait until after hunting season to get the surgery . But since everything is set up already and I can't sleep very well and my insurance deductible has been meet and it is such a long recovery time ( 6 months ) I am going to get it done now . I want to be able to cut my grass and my dad's grass this spring .

I still hope that after my arm comes out of the sling I can take kids and new hunters hunting and sit with them and teach them . There will be four weeks of deer season left and 11 weeks of small game after my arm comes out of the sling . I don't know how much that I am going to be able to use my arm after it comes out of the sling though , so that might not happen .
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I had this done on Aug. 16th this year. Supraspinatus was torn on the MRI. Once I was in surgery he found a full tear in the labrum also. 4 hours under instead of 2. I took my sling off at 4 weeks instead of 6. Dr. wasn't happy. I duct taped the dead man bar on the push mower and cut grass at 2nd week one armed. I don't like being down. I will say this one hurt more than the one I had done in 2008 on the other shoulder. Therapy started at 6 weeks.I am moving good, not good enough to return to work, but my range of motion is about 60% of normal. This one aches a lot more than the 1st surgery. I believe this one was what they call a S.L.A.P. repair. I am 52 so that may be why the ache. I bought all the things they use in P.T. for the house. I have a pulley, a 2# ball, and light resistance bands so I can do my therapy in between my twice a week sessions. By April you will be better than you probably are right now surgery and P.T. I can raise my arm over my head now and I couldn't do that before the cut.
 
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If it were me and I was able. I'd hunt this season at least for a week or two. Then go get the surgery do my PT and be healed up by next season. But that's just me, I don't let much get in the way of my hunting.
 
iceman7668 said:
I had this done on Aug. 16th this year. Supraspinatus was torn on the MRI. Once I was in surgery he found a full tear in the labrum also. 4 hours under instead of 2. I took my sling off at 4 weeks instead of 6. Dr. wasn't happy. I duct taped the dead man bar on the push mower and cut grass at 2nd week one armed. I don't like being down. I will say this one hurt more than the one I had done in 2008 on the other shoulder. Therapy started at 6 weeks.I am moving good, not good enough to return to work, but my range of motion is about 60% of normal. This one aches a lot more than the 1st surgery. I believe this one was what they call a S.L.A.P. repair. I am 52 so that may be why the ache. I bought all the things they use in P.T. for the house. I have a pulley, a 2# ball, and light resistance bands so I can do my therapy in between my twice a week sessions. By April you will be better than you probably are right now surgery and P.T. I can raise my arm over my head now and I couldn't do that before the cut.
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Ice man I had a SLAP repair done on Aug 27 of this year. It required a screw and some wire to reattach everything. It's been 3 1/2 weeks I am not out of sling yet and I have days of soreness and other days of zero pain.

OP as far as hunting and activities go talk to your doctor and therapist they know what's best for your recovery. I'll say this if I am lucky I'll be able to shoot a light recoiling rifle on my unrepaired shoulder.

OP good luck with your surgery and recovery
 
CarJunkieLS1 said:
Ice man I had a SLAP repair done on Aug 27 of this year. It required a screw and some wire to reattach everything. It's been 3 1/2 weeks I am not out of sling yet and I have days of soreness and other days of zero pain.

OP as far as hunting and activities go talk to your doctor and therapist they know what's best for your recovery. I'll say this if I am lucky I'll be able to shoot a light recoiling rifle on my unrepaired shoulder.

OP good luck with your surgery and recovery
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carjunkiels1, that is the strange thing about this surgery. I have zero pain most of the day as long as I don't over reach with the arm, none. But then if I sit on the couch or lay in bed a slow ache starts. Like a bad tooth ache comes out of nowhere, its weird. For the most part, after the 2nd week after surgery, there wasn't any pain most of the time. You know you had surgery, but for the most part the pain is minimal.
 
H&Hhunter said:
If it were me and I was able. I'd hunt this season at least for a week or two. Then go get the surgery do my PT and be healed up by next season. But that's just me, I don't let much get in the way of my hunting.
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^^^^^^^^ Same here. I'd darn sure get the first two weeks of rifle season in. Actually I'd wait until after Thanksgiving to have it done.

I know each case is different...but I can't imagine the OP would be in any more pain (waiting) than he is going to be from the surgery (over the same time period).

And just about anyone can very quickly learn to shoot from their 'weak side' with a rifle. IF that doesn't cause too much pain in the afflicted shoulder....then that's what I would plan on. I have never let a Deer/Hog/Other just walk away because I couldn't turn to shoot it strongside. Just swap the weapon to your weak side, steady up and shoot.

If my daughter could do it (she did) at 10 years old, surely grown men can.

If the muscle damage isn't so severe that you risk it drawing up and atrophying by waiting, then I'd be out there opening day.
 
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I can put up with the pain , I just want to be healed enough by April 1st first so I can cut grass . That is something I have to do , as much as I love hunting I don't have to do it . It's about priorities and what you are suppose to do . My dad can to longer cut his grass or do anything .
 
I just had my surgery noon today . Hope to be back to normal soon . I can't feel my arm at all now . I am putting ice on it and doing ankle pumps and leg raises now to prevent the chance of a blood clot . I still hope to get some small game hunting in this year and sit on a deer stand with a kid or new hunter . They want me to start PT in 2 days .
 
Just checked in for the first time in several days and see where Red Rick had his surgery today! So glad to hear that you did well with the surgery. I am sure you will be running a lawn mower by next April. Do what your doc says and do you PT faithfully and religiously...that is the key. Keep us updated on your progress. Wish you a speedy recovery.
 
Rick,

Good luck. Keep in mind that there is life after surgery and during recovery. Shoulder surgery is a long process so you'll need to find ways to entertain yourself and be patient. You'll have to adjust your sights (pun intended), but don't give up hunting. I've had 5 major surgeries; both wrists from torn ligaments and 3 reconstructions of my feet/ankles, 2 on my left foot and one on my right. All this surgery took place over a 5-6 year period. Among other things, I hunted geese in Nebraska with my foot in a cast. My brother and a guide carried my gun and such and I hobbled to the blind on crutches. I continued to hunt squirrels and had to have help skinning them. Learned that I could change a tire with one hand. Where there's a will, there's a way. Learned to shoot left handed with my squirrel rifle, which really comes in handy these days. I've always been able to shoot stationary targets (turkeys) with either hand. Keep after those critters and enjoy your friends/family.
 
Thanks everyone , I will tell you , the first day is rough . When that nerve block wore all the way off , 3 AM the pain went straight to 10 and stayed there until about 1 today . Pain is about 6 now , but I cannot get comfortable in the recliner . They said I could take 2 oxycodone every other dose . Very little sleep .
 
Red Rick glad your surgery went well. That nerve block sure is AWESOME until it wears off. Like mentioned do what your doctor says and follow the Physical Therapy instructions 100% and DO NOT skip them at home.

Also one thing people don't mention is that those pain killers have a tendency to constipate you. I know from experience lol. Just keep that in mind and drink some apple juice every day to help with that.
 
For what it is worth I had a nasty time with my right shoulder an elbow at the same time. Took about a year and a half to get through it. I learned to shoot left handed. Mind you I am not as good on that side, but I can hit things lol. Handgun was easier for me. For rifle I just did a lot of repetition with 22 lr and dryfire. A forgiving sight helps a lot, think red dot or big open sights. Ghost ring and express sights were okay.

I am right eyed too, so when shooting lefty rifle I close the right eye. For lefty pistol I just cant the gun over to the right and my head over left a touch to meet it. Other than practice, not much more I had to figure out.

Running the bolt etc can be funny, but it just depends on what you have.

I think a 20 gauge with slugs and red dot could be a possibility for you! Crossbow could be the ticket too.

Good luck!
 
Thanks , I know what you mean about the constipation . I started Colace today , apple juice sounds good .
 
I don't hunt anymore---my body says NO
I enjoyed 36-37 years in the field
My hunting buddies are all gone
Now I punch holes in paper or reload ammo
One of the grandkids is a cop--he loves the free ammo
the great grandkids are not into guns yet
I hope all you folks make it to the field this year
Shoot straight & good luck
 
The Dr. & PT said that I do not need to see them anymore . The Dr. told me to wait another month before I shoot a 12ga. and I should be able to do anything in 2 more months , just use my head .
 
Glad your recovery is going well friend.
My dad had rotator cuff surgery and I know that the recovery is a painful one.

Glad you're progressing and seem to be through the worst part.
 
Woo Hoo!!!
Keep doing your exercises! Apparently they help!

Have fun now, make sure you have extra fun to make up for any missed fun!
 
I feel your pain. I have cataracts I can't afford the surgery for. It might eliminate my dove hunting this year if it gets any worse. I have my good days and bad. Once the bird gets in range, I have no problem, but it's seeing it coming that gets me.

I'll be getting 'em fixed soon as November gets here, my 65th birthday and the day medicare starts to cover me. Should be much better for duck and goose season with the eyes fixed, though they're easier to see. :D

Good luck on the shoulder. I have shoulder pain, but it doesn't bother me shooting so far. Just when I sleep on that side, I wake up hurting. I can't afford a sleep number bed. LOL
 
MCgunner said:
I feel your pain. I have cataracts I can't afford the surgery for.
I'll be getting 'em fixed soon as November gets here, my 65th birthday and the day medicare starts to cover me. Should be much better for duck and goose season with the eyes fixed, though they're easier to see. :D
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I had both of my eyes done for cataracts. Absolutely no problems with either surgery. I had the first one done 4 weeks after turning 65. Get everything lined up ahead of time to avoid delays.

If I remember right, I had to refrain from shooting for 6-8 weeks afterwards.
 
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