Handgun shooting after shoulder dislocation?

[yhtomit]

Hi there!

I recently suffered (and I do mean that) a shoulder dislocation. I do not recommend this.

Three weeks later, now that I'm all the way up to "mild but persistent pain" from various levels that polite language does not well describe, I am curious: Have you shot after a dislocated shoulder, and were you glad you did so?

I won't be shooting at all for (at least) about another month anyhow, by which point I do hope that things are closer to normal. Every day things get a bit better -- the stretching exercises help.

Glad to have a 22/45 in the menagerie -- no worries with that one. What worries me is whether I'll ever want to fire a .45 again As the shoulder heals, maybe I'll forget about it --2 weeks ago, I couldn't have fired a squirt pistol, because of the nasty recoil.

timothy

 

[doubleh]

My oldest grandson dislocated his shoulder and it was a few months before he was really comfortable shooting. I'm 10 weeks along on rotator cuff surgery and I'm already shooting .22 rimfires some. I intend to shoot the big bores after a few months. It's amazing how heavy a 2 1/2# pistol is at arms length right now.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I had both rotators repaired due to massive tears and as a result lost about 90% of the strength of both upper arms with most movements,but have very little pain,even though I shoot a lot of heavy 357 rounds. Arms get a bit shaky and tired at the range after a few 6-round loads,but with a couple of minutes rest I can fire 100 or so in one session. A dislocation may not yield similar results,but if yours can be fixed by means other than surgery I'm guessing you may fair better than myself. Personally,I'd give it the whole period of recovery time suggested by your doctor before trying out the 45. And,it depends a lot on your age. If you overuse your shoulder and as a result require surgery,most doctors would take a close look at your age when making such a decision. Mine said if I had been 10 years older he'd just recommend medication for pain and not repair the cuff because of the lengthy recovery involved.

 

[Cop Bob]

Don't worry over it too much, Let your body tell you when it's ready... It won't be long..
Good Luck,

 

[BCRider]

I forsee many a brick of .22 passing down that 22/45's barrel for a while

When you find that you don't get nasty "makes your eyes sweat" twinges from most of the day's usual happenings you could likely graduate up to some softer center fire. But if it hurts either after the first round or first magazine then it's back to the Ruger for you for a while longer.

Pain from stretching and easing the limits of muscle extension is generally OK as long as it is only an ache at the limits. If it leaves anything that persists even for a few moments after you eash the pressure then it was too much... unless the torture tech at physio says it's OK for some special cases. So let your body be the best test and don't continue if it hurts at all.

 

[dnthmn]

Just do all your PT and you'll likely be fine. You have to do it even if it hurts if you want to fully recover. Every person is different though.

I badly dislocated mine about 2 years ago and there's nothing at all I would be worried about doing with it now. I've shot a .454 Casull and I shoot pretty high recoiling rifles all the time and have no issues, actually love it. You have to do the work and don't try to do too much too early.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Practice with your good hand/arm only til you heal the other.

 

[340PD]

I am reading these comments with interest. I will be having both shoulders repaired this year. Open surgery. May and November. UGH!

 

[yhtomit]

340PD: Ugh, indeed! My sympathy; one's bad enough. I'm (a young) 36, and am glad that this happened to me now rather than 10 years from now. The idea of firing a shotgun gives me the willies right now; handguns, I'm going to be cautious, but I'm not exactly afraid. I'm glad to hear that others have gone through similar things and done alright

timothy

 

[doubleh]

I'm going back this fall and have the left cuff repaired if the right one is in good enough shape by then. I'm optimistic that it will be. I'll go back Monday afternoon for my final therapy session and evauation. The head of the therapy dept. has already told me I've done "fantastic". Evey week when they have measured the extension I have gained in my arm they say "wow".

I'm not sure age is a big problem. I'm 73 but it's a very young 73.

 

[451 Detonics]

I hit a deer on a motorcycle and suffered a severe type three separation and dislocation of my right shoulder. Then put the humerus back in place but drcided to much range of motion would be lost pinning everything else back into place so it is still separated 25 years later. Ten days after the accident I was shooting my .375H&H in competition...just put the arm back into the sling between events. I guess it comes down to personal tolerance for pain. I placed second in that competition btw.

I am sure you will be able to resume shooting anything you want...just might take some time.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

I feel for you. Years ago I was involved in a multiple-roll over car accident and got a stage 3 dislocation (the kind that is never supposed to heal without surgery)

Took a few years, but without surgery it is problem free 98%, and I can do anythign with it at the gym.

You'll be ok, but its going to take some time.

 

[sargents1]

I have dislocated both of my shoulders four times each (bicycle accidents, roughhousing with the dog, laying in bed, body surfing, and other such dangerous activities ). Generally it doesnt take all that long to recover. In my case it was a matter of a few weeks rather than months.

Give it time and rest to start with. Then once you feel up to it, do some stretching and light exercise and you should be able to get back to almost as good as new. There will always be certain things that will give you twinges to remind you to be careful. In my case shooting is the least of my problems because it doesnt involve putting my arms up over my head (which can make me feel like I am about to dislocate again...)

As I understand it, the things that usually cause a shoulder to dislocate are activities that put a lot of torque on the shoulder joint. Shooting should be OK.


Good luck and take it easy for a while.

Cheers

 

[GWARGHOUL]

It all depends on the stage. There are I,II and III.

Three usually encourages surgery, and physical therapy.

Mine was III, and did my own physical therapy, and its been almost 3 years, and I can do everything with it. If it were stage I or II, its a few weeks, and you will have no troubles. Stage III, you're going to not want to shoot any guns for a while with that side.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I am reading these comments with interest. I will be having both shoulders repaired this year. Open surgery. May and November. UGH!

Man,give your shoulder every bit of the time your doctor tells you not to use it. Then,I think it would be a good idea to ask either him or your pt when you can start shooting again. On mine,at least,the tendon had to be trimmed,then stretched to reach the bone where it was bolted back on. If you tear the tendon away from the bone at all it's back to square one and repairing it may be a one-time deal,depending on you finances/insurance.

 

[ms6852]

l too dislocated my shoulder, and suffered a fractured. After 3 years I only required a single steroid shot for pain management. My secret was very simple do not baby the shoulder like it is customary. Diligently do the exercises required by your physcial therapist and than some. I made it an effort to use my injured shoulder and arm as much as possible and as much as my pain level would allow. I believe this is what has kept my range of motion close to 100 percent.

On your rifles you will need to get a muzzlebrake and a limbsaver recoil pad. I shoot a 30-06 and this makes it feel like a 243.