Just when I thought I couldn't get any more aggravated..

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Carter

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Usually I like to go to the range once a month, but lately something has always come up. Its been maybe 2 months or more without going to the range, and will be another two weeks before I could get to go due various issues.

Well, the other day during handgun retention training I caught an elbow to the upper lip and nose area from a guy with arms as big as my head. My lip swelled up massively. Urgent care kicked me out saying just to put ice on it. My actual doctor ordered an x-ray. It turns out I have a fracture right below my nose.

While this heals I can't do any activity that would put pressure on this area, which I assume would include rifle shooting due to the recoil :( . I have an XCR that I've only gotten to shoot two times sitting idle that I can't even use now.


Do you guys know of any shooting I could do besides pistols so I don't stress the fractured area? I was thinking maybe I could use a .22 rifle since it doesn't kick or maybe use my regular rifles for quick drills within 25 yards where you wouldn't have time to aim (so no face on the stock, just up to shoulder). The ranges I go to don't have any lanes beside me. One is a private range with several individual 25 yard ranges and the other is a friend of a friends massive wooded backyard.

Thanks.
 
Look guy... unless its unbearably painful, your being a little dramatic ("fracture on my skull").

As an anthropologist, I've sen and handled a fair number of honest to god real human skulls. Most people get hit in the nose enough during there life that the fragile internal bones such as the Vomer and Concha, as well as the Nasal Spur, are warped to comical extremes.

The GOOD news is, as long as you don't bust the actual cartilage in your nose, you can't really tell with all that squishy stuff over top.

A small fracture to your Maxilla is pretty tame - and the recoil from a 223 is pretty light. If it were me with an XCR, I would at least give it a try. I don't think you can mess anything up. Even if it WAS painful, your Maxilla is nowhere near anything important. Your acting like you could be disabled by this or something.
 
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Go shoot...

If we were talking about a 308 and up recoil I would say hold off as that can be jarring and, though I dont think it would cause any more damage, it would cause pain, so I would avoid that.. being a 223, just shoot... it isnt going to cause any damage to your fracture. I have yet to meet a 223 that jumps up and hits me in the face... the sound waves may actually cause more pain than the recoil...


If you had an issue with your rotator cuff, had a mediport, or a broken strong side collar bone I would say otherwise, but none of those are the case.
 
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I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.

I would consult your doctor first, but I think a .22 would be fine. If its just a hair fracture I think a 5.56 XCR would be okay too.
 
Grey Morel wrote,"As an anthropologist, I've sen (sic) and handled a fair number of honest to god (sic) real human skulls. Most people get hit in the nose enough during there (sic) life that the fragile internal bones such as the Vomer and Concha, as well as the Nasal Spur, are warped to comical extremes."

The point that Mr. Morel conveniently overlooks is that all of his specimens with nasal fractures have one thing in common: they are dead.

gd

P.S. Posted in jest.
 
I reguarly shoot .308 and 7.62x39. I only mentioned the xcr cause its new.

I'm not trying to "dramatic", just cautious. My intention was to get shooting ideas to let it heal without undue stress, not get bashed for taking the doc's advice.
 
not bashing... the 223 simply does not cause enough recoil to do any damage to your current fracture... If anything, as I said, the vibrations from the shot may provide you with the most discomfort.. sort of the way humming feels for you now I am sure...

The truth is, a mild recoiling cartridge such as the 223 will not jar your fracture any more than chewing, talking, or jogging.
 
Just shoot a .22LR until you feel like shooting the centerfires.

Thanx, Russ
 
Re:practice

Practice with at least a .22 pistol. I try and practice in odd weather / or if I'm feeling blue because lets face it: most BG aren't going to wait to commit a crime in 70's degree weather with clear skys . Or come up and ask you if you feel cheerful enough to be robbed today.
 
When I was in the Army I did have the cartilage in my nose rearranged for me...still is that way today. Two days later I was out shooting the M14 rifle...just made sure my cheek was the only thing planted on the stock!!!!!
As long as you're not holding the buttstock on your lip (would make it really hard to see the sights that way) I don't see any reason why you can't shoot.
 
I had a root-canal on Tuesday and shot 40 rounds of .30-06 out of my '03 on Wednesday.
Obviously a good cheek weld wasn't in the cards. I adapted to what felt OK.
You don't have to have perfect form or perfect scores to have fun.
If it hurts, stop and shoot pistols.

Tinpig
 
Let it heal or you will be very sorry later. If they say 2 weeks then it's 2 weeks. I rushed back to the gym after spinal surgery way back when, very bad idea.
 
which I assume would include rifle shooting due to the recoil
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300 winmag wouldn't be appropriate, a .22lr would be fine, but you shouldn't assume that the .223 is a problem without asking your physician about it. That's pretty mild out of an XCR and unless you're spending a lot of time every week shooting the XCR it probably won't do any harm to the healing process.

Talk to the Dr. and don't make assumptions.
 
Talk to the Dr. and don't make assumptions.
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My Dr. knows jack about guns.

I tried talking to him about it a little one time and he seemed lost in space. Great with medicine though.

He didn't really give me a heal time. Just told me me not to do anything martial arts or wrestling related. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the Ear, Nose, and Throat Dr. says other than "put ice on it".
 
Nurse 9MMare here.

Sorry about the injury. Did ya get anything (else) out of the lesson?

Now...you can go and try a smaller caliber and see how it goes. You might feel it, you might not, you might adjust to the pain.

Just remember, every jolt, no matter how minor, probably lengthens the time that it needs to set & heal.

I'm not really a nurse, just sayin'......
 
Did ya get anything (else) out of the lesson?
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After icing it for a few minutes I jumped back up and finished out the day, tested the next day, and aced everything. There were other self defense moves taught as well.
The instructors were impressed I kept going and let me continue, but they didn't know about the fracture, just the largely swollen lip.

I've had two other breaks. A knuckle and both bones in my lower right arm. I'm used to a cast, not breaks that can't be wrapped up. Makes you forget that your bone is quite limited at the moment when there isn't a giant hunk of cast staring back at you.
 
My nose has been broke 4 times...after the first time I said the heck with going to the doctor over it. (horses and bulls)
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Its not the nose. Its the bone under the nose that connects to your teeth. Although, my cartilage in my nose is a little messed up too.
 
Carter said:
I'm used to a cast, not breaks that can't be wrapped up. Makes you forget that your bone is quite limited at the moment when there isn't a giant hunk of cast staring back at you.
Click to expand...

I've had some rib and shoulder cracks/breaks. Nothin' to do about 'em except move on (slowly).

To this day I tend to grab my rib cage when I feel a big sneeze comin' on. And if you break ribs back at the vertebrae...that doesnt work.

Feel better soon.
 
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