Shooting with shoulder injury

[Route666]

Hi Everyone, I recently (2 weeks ago) separated my shoulder (completely, called grade 3 separation) where the three ligaments joining the collar bone on my right side (I'm RH'd) to my shoulder and shoulder blade were completely torn and am now recovering from that. This is something they no longer bother trying to do surgery on any more as the result of just letting it heal over (the ligaments don't rejoin) is pretty much the same as operating, and operating has complications of its own, including potential to make it worse.

Even now I feel I will get at least 90% my range of movement back, hopefully the same in strength, but that is slower at coming back so far, but it has been less than 2 weeks and they say 6 - 12 weeks recovery.

Has anyone had this injury? I don't want it to interfere with my shooting, it is one of the few things I have in life that I really enjoy. I'm 30, and my body is pretty good, never had much soreness or stiffness in my body.

I shoot IPSC and worry that the injury is going to give me trouble drawing from the holster, and even with my accuracy, fatiguing, and pain after extended shooting. I guess I'll find out next time I go, but would like to hear from others who have gone through something similar.

Cheers!

Brad

 

[StrawHat]

I had my shoulder removed and replaced. All the muscles cut and it took a long time to recover my strength. Physical therapy got my range of motion and flexiblty back but strength was a long time coming. You should be a lot better off as there was no cutting. Also you are half my age, when it was done. I am not 100% but easily 95% so I am content. Keep up with PT and do as much as you can without reinjuring it.

 

[BSA1]

In the meantime work on your weak hand shooting. Weak hand shooting is a valuable real world skill.

 

[whtsmoke]

Good luck to you, two years ago due to someone hitting me on my bike from the rear end tore the hell out of my shoulder. I only have one muc=scle left in my right arm and the rest is titanium and i had to curtail alot of my rifle, shotgun shooting, you might as well say he said no mre except for a few smaller calibers(223 to 243) and only a 410 shotgun maybe a 20 with very light loads. I am happy for one thing tho, i can still shoot handguns not one handed but i can still do something. Yes it takes rime and you dont ever recover completely.

 

[Carl Levitian]

I wish you all the luck in the world with your injury, and hope you fair better than I did. You're younger so you may do well. In 2001, I had my right shouder operated on for a torn rotator cuff and torn tendon. It was a long recovery, and I never did get back to 100%. In fact, I couldn't go back to work as a machinist because of the job description, and weight limit the doc put on it. I ended up retiring on disability because of the injury. Today, I still do nothave normal range of motion in that shoulder, and it's never been right. Maybe my age had someting to do with it, as I was already 60 years old at that point. It limits my shooting, and no more heavy calibers for me. No 12 gauge, no heavy handguns, and rimfire rifles. No more kayaking, or harry homeowner invlving anything reaching over head.

Hope you do better.

 

[340PD]

In 2011 I had both rotator cuffs surgically repaired. I did them about 6 months apart. I did, and still do, a lot of PT. To rehab that type of injury a 2# weight during PT us usually the max for six months or more. Motion came back, but strength took a lot more time. If you re-injure your shoulder you may have real problems. Check with a doctor that shoots. My last surgery is almost one year old and my flexibility and strength are as good as 10 years ago, but if I wanted to go back to Bullseye shooting, I would have to work a lot harder to stay steady. Good Luck.

 

[Trisha]

I'm almost a year out of shoulder surgery. Bucket handle tear of the labrum, SLAP injury, amputation of A/C joint due to atrhtitis and a 2cm bone spur cutting into the bicep tendon, yadda yadda yadda.

Breaking scar tissue attachments will be an ongoing pleasure every week to keep what remains of the joint from freezing. Strength is back to +90% with very, very meticulous and dedicated pursuit of my PT's guidelines - because one fall (FOOSH, and related ) and the whole thing has to be replaced.

Gunner's Alley has some great basic holsters for your new strong side while you recoup and retrain. My HK USP Compact has been a constant companion over my usual 1911 platforms because of the ambi controls and ergos. I9 handload down to mil spec 230gr ball for my EDC loads, but know I can pass the old SCT decently with practice so there was no down-sizing.

Do what works. You already know hitting the target under duress is the only thing that matters.

I am truly frightened of pain medication and only take the minimum dose when I can't sleep from pain for two days - and with careful notes I always find I pushed to hard just before the needle pegged. With winter approaching it's cutting and splitting firewood (woodstove is a primary heat source), and there's a delightfully accurate built-in weather gauge in my shoulder now!

It'll always hurt, balk, and fuss.

It brings wry smiles now after I flinch from picking up the maul incautiously or practice with snap caps too long ( draw from concealment and fire, obtain hard cover and then slice the pie).

Think of Bill Murray in Little Shop of Horrors when you fight it. . .

 

[rbernie]

I had a modified Bankart performed on my right/strong side shoulder (second time in ten years) in March, and I'm almost back up to speed. However, my shooting form is dramatically different since the April surgery, and I am having to reform a new set of muscle memories for shotgunning (where consistent mounting of the gun from low ready is critical) as well as for pistolcraft. Just last week, I finally gave up trying to emulate my former pistol shooting posture/positioning and simply started focusing on finding a new posture that conformed to my new (more restrictive) right side articulations.

My point is to expect that you will regain functionality, but not to expect it to work the same way as before. You have to be willing to change how you draw, mount, and sight the guns that you shoot based upon what your body can do.

 

[Old Dog]

While on active duty, I had a right-shoulder separation in 1990 with the added bonus of smashing my right collar bone (bad, bad bike accident). I was about your age, 31 at the time. Yep, I'm right-handed.

I did a bit of one-handed, left-handed shooting and discovered that with my left-eye (cross) dominance, I can shoot pretty doggone well as a lefty ...

My recovery time before I regained full use of my right side was really about four months ... At least eight months before I could throw and play softball again. However, I had to seriously lift with my left arm to build it up, because doing pull-ups trying to use my right arm equally has since been excruciating. My PT scores suffered for quite a while, and I can't hang from just my right arm anymore -- the pull up requirement for special teams when I got into law enforcement was pretty difficult.

I've been postponing surgery for years. Labrum is still pretty shredded. I can't sleep on my right side without waking up in pain most nights. But, with the aid of Motrin and working smarter, not harder, I can still shoot and compete ... It'll bother you the rest of your life, but you do what you can.

 

[M2 Carbine]

A few months ago both of my shoulders were damaged. How bad I'll find out tomorrow but I can't lift a handgun left landed.

In 1995 I tore the tendon from the bone in my left shoulder, so I have an idea what I'm facing, but with both shoulders now. Months of 24 hour pain.

I do a fair bit of weak hand shooting but I suspect I'll get pretty good shooting with both hands as my shoulders are operated on one at a time.

 

[hogshead]

I separated my shoulder 10 weeks ago this Saturday. I also had a level 3 tear in my right shoulder and I am right handed.I was in a sling for about 2 weeks. I have a full range of motion now but I have to move it slowly. I still have trouble sleeping on it but doing a lot better. It is still weak but it is getting stronger as a matter of fact I laid block with it today. As for shooting I tried out some reloads in 35 Rem today with no trouble. Still not ready for a shotgun though. I will soon be 45 yo.
Might as well brush up on your left handed pistol shooting.Avoid straight drives.lol

 

[Route666]

Thank you everyone! I feel pretty lucky honestly, as it has not been 2 weeks yet (Saturday) and I only used the sling for 4 days, didn't work for the first week (computer programmer, so not strenuous anyway) and today I have about 90% range of movement at normal speed (not pushing it and moving quickly yet though) and strength is probably 50%, if I tried, but I'm resting it as much as possible and moving.

There are a few positions / angles where it is tight, I'm guessing because of the lump sticking up on my shoulder under the muscles. I haven't tried laying on it yet, even laying on my front with my arm up gets painful after a while.

Seeing the orthopedic surgeon on Monday, we'll see what he has to say.

 

[Route666]

Hoorah for double-posting

 

[Dr.Rob]

Have him recommend a physical therapist even if you don't need surgery.

 

[whtsmoke]

I just got back from the surgeon , this was my second check up(2 Years) on my shoulder said once again 243 max for a rifle and a light 20 gauge load in a shotgun. His final words was you need to learn to shoot left handed which i cannot do because of my defibrilator. Next checkup is in teo years, you can do it you just have rules to follow.

 

[Route666]

I'm not overly concerned about rifle shooting, although there was a 308 I was eyeing, but more-so I want a 357 Mag Marlin 1894 CSBL (if they ever start making them again...). Would that recoil more / less than a .243? Mainly I'm a competitive pistol shooter, so I want to stay really good as well as have fun, on top of actually being able to continue doing it.

Anyways, it's still very early days in my recovery from this injury.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Got the MRI results this morning.
Both shoulders torn bad.
They have to slice and dice both my shoulders. Second time for the left shoulder.:banghead:
Looks like my shooting will be limited to 22 handguns for a long time.

 

[whtsmoke]

M2 sorry to hear that, i know im a two handed shooter now, have to hold the right up for support. good luck to you it sucks i know.

 

[788Ham]

I broke my RT forearm 45 years ago, separated my RT shoulder at the same time, shipboard accident while in the Navy. I had surgery on the arm, will never be straight! The shoulder still bothers me, with the metal installed in my forearm, weather indicator deluxe! I can still shoot rifle and handgun like always, just try not to complain much afterward. I'm not going to quit this sport just because of some pain, I've endured this since I was 18 years old, I've got eternity to rest.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Horrible... Keep on the PT but don't overdo it too early.

I walked around for most of the '90s with the soft tissue of the left shoulder, ripped from the shoulder blade and hanging on a Hinge of about 2 cm of tissue.

Most folks (including myself) thought I was just being a baby about it.

Nothing showed on MRI, nothing on X ray, and my natural "Insane" pain tolerance just kept me smiling right through it all, even when my arm would visibly drop several inches out of the socket at random, under no load.

After 8 years of walking around like that, the Doc put me on heavy therapy, and not until exploratory surgery to "tighten" the capsule, did they see the full extent of the horror.

They kept me under for 5 hours while they reset the OR, opened me like a Turkey-breast and performed an Anterior Bankart reconstruction.

This might have gone well if the Dr's Secretary didn't follow the surgery by pushing my follow ups MONTHS back, and informing me to "keep following the doctor's last instructions" (Ice and immobilize) when I pressed to ask if there were any Care changes.

He fired the members of the staff in question when I came in months later, still wearing a shredded brace, and my arm permanently frozen into position.

Life's little joke on me, Main hand crushed in a press, Weak hand on the end of a barely functional arm. Can reach but not grasp well, or grasp without reach.

Just remember that you will always be your own best advocate, and the person to suffer the primary indignities if you fail in your duties to yourself.

 

[doubleh]

There are a lot of variables in shoulder reconstruction I believe. Like 340PD I had both rotator cuffs repaired along with more work in each shoulder starting on Jan. 5, 2011. I had 9 weeks of therapy on the shoulder with the larger tear and 10 on the other and the therapy routine was quite different for the two. Pain level for the smaller torn one was higher during therapy also. I think a lot of how well you recover depends on the skill of the surgeon and also the therapists. I was fortunate that I knew the skill level of both that attended to me from prior experience that my wife had with both.

I have recovered 100% of the use and motion range of both shoulders with no pain in either except the one fixed last still hasn't recovered it's full strength. If I do something some heavy lifting with it Some soreness will sit in for a couple of days but it's getting better. If the first should is any indication a couple of more months time should do it on the other.

I'm no spring chicken either. If I last two more days I'll be 75.

 

[Route666]

Well it has been 3 weeks for me now and I just spent an hour doing holster draws / reloading practice and didn't have any troubles, have a little ache now, but nothing like I dreaded pain / lack of mobility I would have a week ago. I feel pretty lucky that I'm feeling so good! I already have almost exactly the same range of movement as my left arm, I haven't pushed strength and haven't started exercising yet, but I have no troubles doing my everyday things at the moment. My shoulder-blade won't do the same things as my left arm, I can't flex it out like the left one, but that doesn't restrict my movement in any way, so I guess it is fairly unimportant.

Also I went to the dentist this morning, and man, he is the best dentist I have ever been to! First one that ever gave me needles for drilling, I thought they must have been major cavities to get the needle, but it seemed like standard practice for him. The needles went in painlessly too - never had that before really. He was mighty quick too! Three cavities drilled in about 10 minutes and filled / finished in the next 20. He even gave me a $50 discount this time.

 

[doc2rn]

I feel confident I can reply after 4 total shoulders and 3 yrs of physical therapy. Start out shooting .22lr first. If it gives you fits your not ready to start back with the big boys. Take your time and it will work out.

 

[jogonmd95]

Route666,
I'm an Orthopod and have done surgeries on this shoulder injury.You suffered an Acromioclavicular(AC) joint separation,type III. Meaning there was a rupture of the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments(Conoid &Trapezoid) of the Rt. shoulder. Due to the pull of the Trapezius muscle the distal end of the clavicle rides up giving a bump on top of the shoulder. Type III injuries can be treated conservatively(nonoperative). A shoulder strap/immobilizer is applied to the rt. shoulder. Strength and endurance will be 70-80%
of normal within 1-2 mos, however some studies reveal that it eventually will equalize to that of the contralateral shoulder. To speed up the strenghthening process ,i highly advice Physical therapy at least 3x/week for 1-2 mos. Do some dry firing drills slowly, gradually speeding up .
Feel free to shoot away any ques. my way for any further concerns.
best,
Joe

 

[SouthernYankee]

I feel your pain. I was forced to retire, eternal workman's comp nightmare. As a LE Ofcr I was breaking up a fight between 3 guys and before I new it it was one against three. Well they lost, but not before my L shoulder was torn also middle and ring fingers on R hand were severely dislocated. After 5 surgeries and 2yrs of therapy I'm learning to adjust. Stay on your strengthening exercises, stretch a lot and love ice afterwards. The therapists always say's, "when your skin is all red and numb to your touch, your done." As far as shooting I find I need More caliber=More grip and the reverse applies. Shotguns have become difficult for me because they push when fired and fatigue me quickly. Rifles I pretty much just shoot .22lr or AR .223/5.56. Good luck to you I hope you get back to 100%. Don't give up, fight and work hard!