Recoil and prosthetics

[rhippert]

Hi! I'm not sure where this subject belongs. My Mom is 88 years old and after a nasty fall coming out of the hardware store the day before Thanksgiving, she had to have her elbow replaced with (I'm guessing) a titanium elbow. She shattered her left elbow. But, being the feisty one that she is, she picked herself up, gathered her purchases and purse and drove home. She lives near Tampa, Florida and my youngest sister lives about 30 minutes away. She knew my number but had my sister's programmed in her cell, but couldn't manipulate the phone one-handed. So, she called me to call my sister. Sis took over and took her to the ER. She's back home and the stitches are out, and she is doing fine.
She just called and told me she was concerned whether she would be able to shoot now. She is right-handed. Her carry gun is a Ruger SP101 .357 magnum. She is quite proficient with it.
I told her I didn't think it would be an issue as she is right-handed and the new elbow is stringer than her own bones. She was hesitant to ask the doctor unsure of how he might react to her using a gun. So, she called me.
My question here is are there web sites or other resources I can direct her to where she can get information from others who have undergone similar procedures? I suggested local VA groups (after 20+ years in Afghanistan...).
Anyone who can help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to all!!

 

[Barry the Bear]

You really should ask her dr about strenous activities with her elbow and age at this point. I have a full set of dental implants, when I shot shotguns or .45-70s with heavy loads my teeth would rattle, several of them were already loose, the dental implants are stronger since they're bonded into my bone and now that they've healed shooting is not affected them

 

[Pat Riot]

I would have her ask her doctor. Ask her to tell her doctor and her physical therapist that she likes to target shoot as a hobby and would like to know if that would be detrimental to her elbow.

In my experience doctors and therapists are not all a bunch of rabid anti-gunners and do realize their patients have lives and various hobbies that may not align with their own.

 

[whughett]

she’s right handed and shooting with that hand /arm taking the recoil how would it affect the left elbow Even using a two hand hold the left arm isn’t doing much except firming up the grip.

 

[doubleh]

When In doubt about a health issue consult a doctor that deals with your issue. In this case the one that did the surgery. Why be afraid to ask? You can always find another doctor if the one you have turns out to have issues with guns.

 

[bdickens]

One more voice in the "she needs to ask her doctor" choir.

 

[Telum Pisces]

I have a titanium elbow at the rough old age of 38. My accident happened 4 years ago. I have daily pain that I deal with and shooting aggravates it. But it's just something I live with now after having the accident.

The procedure itself and the recovery was the longest part that had me down for the count. Once I healed to where I'm at today, I'm 90% to where I was before the accident. But being her age, I think things are going to be different! She should just listen to her body and what she can and can't do.

 

[Meeks36]

Is she really wants to keep shooting maybe a 22 is in order. Zero recoil and cheaper to shoot. She still needs to talk to her Dr.

 

[patmccoy]

I disagree with asking her doctor, who will most likely refer her to her Physical Therapist. Save the cost of the doctor visit, and ask the PT at the first post op visit with him/her.

 

[doubleh]

I disagree with asking her doctor, who will most likely refer her to her Physical Therapist. Save the cost of the doctor visit, and ask the PT at the first post op visit with him/her.

I'm going to stick with asking the doctor from personal experience. During rehab for rotator cuff surgery PT had me doing an exercise that caused my fingers, hand, and wrist to swell and become painful to the point I could barely use them which I pointed out but the therapists kept insisting I continue with it. I asked the surgeon that did my shoulder on a follow up visit about it and his response was to quit doing that particular exercise. The next PT session I refused to do it and the therapist kept insisting that I needed to do it. It took three times telling her the doctor told me to quit before she relented. I was rather forceful on the third NO and she finally shut up. The swelling quickly went away after I stopped the exercise. The therapists are good but a doctor knows more about your condition than they do.

The doctor's visit was included in the cost of the surgery so there was no additional charge. I don't know about other areas but here that has always been the case with any surgery either my wife or I have had.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Hi! I'm not sure where this subject belongs. My Mom is 88 years old and after a nasty fall coming out of the hardware store the day before Thanksgiving, she had to have her elbow replaced with (I'm guessing) a titanium elbow. She shattered her left elbow. But, being the feisty one that she is, she picked herself up, gathered her purchases and purse and drove home. She lives near Tampa, Florida and my youngest sister lives about 30 minutes away. She knew my number but had my sister's programmed in her cell, but couldn't manipulate the phone one-handed. So, she called me to call my sister. Sis took over and took her to the ER. She's back home and the stitches are out, and she is doing fine.
She just called and told me she was concerned whether she would be able to shoot now. She is right-handed. Her carry gun is a Ruger SP101 .357 magnum. She is quite proficient with it.
I told her I didn't think it would be an issue as she is right-handed and the new elbow is stringer than her own bones. She was hesitant to ask the doctor unsure of how he might react to her using a gun. So, she called me.
My question here is are there web sites or other resources I can direct her to where she can get information from others who have undergone similar procedures? I suggested local VA groups (after 20+ years in Afghanistan...).
Anyone who can help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to all!!

Is that her only pistol? With her doctors approval, of course I'd get her a 22 lr revolver to start with almost no recoil, less chance of reinjuy, then step up to low recoil 38 spec reloads, before turning her loose with full power 357.

I'm going to stick with asking the doctor from personal experience. During rehab for rotator cuff surgery PT had me doing an exercise that caused my fingers, hand, and wrist to swell and become painful to the point I could barely use them which I pointed out but the therapists kept insisting I continue with it. I asked the surgeon that did my shoulder on a follow up visit about it and his response was to quit doing that particular exercise. The next PT session I refused to do it and the therapist kept insisting that I needed to do it. It took three times telling her the doctor told me to quit before she relented. I was rather forceful on the third NO and she finally shut up. The swelling quickly went away after I stopped the exercise. The therapists are good but a doctor knows more about your condition than they do.

The doctor's visit was included in the cost of the surgery so there was no additional charge. I don't know about other areas but here that has always been the case with any surgery either my wife or I have had.

I never asked my surgeon, but didn't shoot any thing for about 2 years, then tried my normal calibers and found them to be too much. 22lr and my 4th choice, 243 win got me back to shooting and hunting again.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Is she actually shooting .357 out of it? If so, maybe drop down to .38 spl at first, if that's no problem then she can try .357 at the range and see how it goes.

 

[DoubleMag]

If there is even a HINT at her going to a 22LR pistol, best start thinking about it AND shopping, now. I believe that would be her worst case scenario.

Best thing to do is, focus on the healing. I can still shoot my (fav) pistol pales in comparison to I cannot move my arm (shoulder/knee/ankle/hip). Take all meds, get extra sleep. Drink more water. Do EXACTLY what the therapist (probably a PhD in Therapy) says to do, report ANY and all pain, range of motion problems, sleep problems etc. to BOTH Therapist and MD Doctor.

Fiesty at any age helps with a complete,quick recovery and hoping your Mom has just that!!