Rotator Cuff Surgery And handgun shooting

[livingston]

Folks I am looking at a possible shoulder replacement in the coming months. ... Will know next week. I am leaning for some reason to replace my auto loading handgun with my Ruger LCRX .38 ... If I had to use a gun it would be one handed and my good shoulder it also has issues that may need surgery down the line. Outside of going to the followup visits and physical therapy . I don't plan on being away from home very much.

I did find this fellow in my search for information

 

[kev74]

Good luck with the surgery. I know a couple of people who've gone through it. One is in her 80s and started shooting skeet again about a year after the surgery.

Start practicing the one hand shooting now. It's a good idea anyway. Never know when you might become incapacitated if ever in a fight.

 

[ManualF150]

Good luck with the surgery.

 

[PutnamCharlie]

Had a total replacement in November. Probably 80% back to normal now. Almost 5 months and haven't tried to go to the range yet. Tried to practice lefty draw but by the time I get it down I will be healed . Not sure what the sharp jolts will do but I will be trying to go very soon.

 

[Criticalt]

Just have a snubnose revolver shoved down your pants for backup.

 

[Robin]

Good luck Livingston, hope it all works out!!!!!
Robin

 

[Beerman]

Just have a snubnose revolver shoved down your pants for backup.

That just sounds dirty when you say it like that.

Good luck with surgery. Give it all you’ve got in rehab. That’s where the outcome is determined 99% of the time.

 

[Steal2B]

Had arthroscopic surgery on my right sholder after it became a limp slab of beef attached to my torso (more than three decades after the initial injury when I was slammed to the floor during a college wrestling match). The surgeon fudged the operation reports that claimed a total rebuild but scans confirmed the actual work performed was quite a bit less. The surgeon was gifted but was a crook who is now in prison.

Contrary to the rosey recovery timelines surgeons gave before surgery, it took months before I could comfortably lift and extend a 1911 and more than a year before I could throw a football or throw a baseball to homeplate from the outfield.

When surgeons recommended surgery on the left side 15 years ago, I ignored their advice and did self planned therapy, went on an anti-inflammatory diet, then patiently started weightlifting religiously to reach what seems like normalcy. I no longer try to lift stupid heavy weights in the gym (eg limit bench press max to body weight to failure instead of previous max of 2x body weight) and avoid violently throwing a 16 pound bowling ball in anger as a recreational sport.

My lessons learned is to
1) have a healthy skepticism of any orthopedic surgeon who recommends providing himself a lucrative billing opportunity (medicene is a business now and no longer a profession),
2) be prepared for more brutal therapy than suggested before surgery,
3) don't believe any recovery timelines that are less than a year, and
4) if there is a reasonable chance of avoiding a sholder surgery with therapy, exercise, patience, and lifestyle changes .. give it a shot.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Good luck with your surgery!

 

[CaseHardened]

Rotator Cuff Surgery will, most likely, be much worse than the surgeon promises.

No, you'll never be the same.

But follow all the MD's advice, and you will be better than before.

Sorry, been there.

Six years later I find much improvement by waving my arms about as I take my one mile daily walks.

A little stretching works wonders.

 

[livingston]

Rotator Cuff Surgery will, most likely, be much worse than the surgeon promises.

No, you'll never be the same.

But follow all the MD's advice, and you will be better than before.

Sorry, been there.

Six years later I find much improvement by waving my arms about as I take my one mile daily walks.

A little stretching works wonders.

Folks I was operated on in may.... It was a massive tear... With atrophy of the muscle. ... Progress is very slow ... By design. Hardly lifting any weight . Physical therapy is pleased so far. It has been mentioned perhaps 25 lbs will be my limit for the rest of my life. They claim that it will be months yet before declaring it a success. .. If not a replacement is in order. .. Along with that limited motion . ... After this my other shoulder needs Rotator cuff Surgery ....

 

[easyspeak]

Before right shoulder rotator cuff surgery could hit home plate from center field no problem. After surgery, and many years later, still can't throw from second to home, can't shoot a basketball from foul line. Was told when they have to cut through the shoulder muscle those are the results. Don't let them cut your shoulder muscle. Right hand pistol shooting after a few months never a problem though.

 

[Steal2B]

From my experience, the insights and lessons learned shared on this thread from the fine members of this forum are more accurate than the promises and guesses highly touted surgeons provided me on my shoulders.

 

[CaseHardened]

Unfortunately the medical establishment will provide a rosy outlook nearly every time.

 

[livingston]

Unfortunately the medical establishment will provide a rosy outlook nearly every time.

My surgeon said he was pessimistically optimistic about my outcome prior to the operation. Here in November I don't think he has yet to change his view.

 

[CaseHardened]

My initial injury was due to moving over 600 SF of metal wire shelving, filled with items for sale on eBay (I fancied myself an eBay tycoon).

My storage facility had been sold to new owners, and the rent immediately raised $500.

I was anxious and in a hurry, and was moving wire shelving on casters up and down the ramp built into the Uhaul box truck.

One load was especially heavy and soon began to roll down the ramp toward me, and behind me were the automatic, sliding glass doors of the new storage facility.

I leaned back against the doors, and did succeed in preventing a smashed glass calamity. But as the next week passed, I came to understand I was injured.

Last month the greedy bastards raised my rent $400, and I was forced to move it all again.

I was much more careful this time, but still am not certain I did not injure myself. I took care to empty each shelving unit prior to moving it.

I think I will bear this terror pychologically for the rest of my life. And hopefully will not actually injure myself again.