Bought a crossbow 2 years ago. Gotta have rotator cuff surgery next Friday.
I hear recovery is a bitch,. but I am in misery currently.
What say you who have already been down this road?

I have had this surgery on both shoulders in the past ten years. My advice is to obsess over both following instructions and physical therapy. No shortcuts and no hero quick recovery self plans. I learned this the hard way.

Do the PT as prescribed and you will heal up sooner than later. Get something to help you sleep, its really hard to stay asleep when you cant lay on that side.

I was back hunting from the ground with a crossbow a month after surgery. Make sure you have some good friends around to help with getting one out of the woods.

Fork out some cabbage and get you a Ravin electronic cocking crossbow?

Ten point makes a crossbow you wind like a fishing reel to cock

I haven't had rotator cuff surgery, but I had shoulder replacement and rehab for it twice in the past year. I had 11 weeks of therapy in between the surgeries with a blown cuff.

Who's doing the surgery? I've had shoulder PT 3 times in the past 13 months. 8 weeks the first time, 11 weeks the 2nd time and 2 weeks prior to having the infection this past time. I can tell you for sure, that the surgeon that performs your surgery has as much or more to do with the speed of recovery, as you do. You'll also get to see many others rehabbing a shoulder while you rehab yours. It appears to be the most common reason for therapy.

Some tips from me:

1) Go ahead and order one of the rope/pulley things to hang on a door at your house. You're gonna want one and that's one of the first exercises they're going to give you.
2) I've seen people come in and do their PT with a smile on their face, and I've seen people come in and act like they were dying. My advice, suck it up, buttercup. It's just pain, deal with it. The first couple of visits might suck bad for you, they did for my brother, but they weren't that bad for me.
3) Don't overdo it. More isn't better. Follow the weigh restrictions.
4) Don't baby your shoulder either. Use your arm, within restrictions as normally as you can.
5) I never did therapy 2 days in a row. I figured if a body part needs a day off after working out, it needs a day off after PT.
6) Ice packs are your friend. I had 3 quarts of honey left from when I was a beekeeper. I bought one quart of Karo Syrup to go with it. Warmed it up and mixed it all together. I put 2 quarts per gallon freezer bag. Those are the best ice packs you can get. They form to your shoulder. Use them 20 minutes out of each hour for a week after surgery.

You might be in a sling for 6 weeks, or you might not have to wear one after you get home from surgery. Just depends on who did it. I didn't have to wear one and for that I was greatful.

My girlfriend had the surgery, the only real pain was during the PT/exercises, it was important for her to take pain meds before them or she wouldn’t be able to do the full range of motion. She pushed through them and did them as advised and her recovery was quick and she actually has better range of motion in that shoulder than her other now.

I think it could be a possibility to be hunting with a hand crank style crossbow in 6-ish weeks. Hope it all goes well!

PT
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Etc

Just take the loud bow seems like everyone else does it now days

Fur said it all, he and I have the same shoulder Dr. I had a total shoulder replacement 7 weeks ago this past Wednesday. My bicep tendons were torn and the labrom was shredded but luckily my rotator cuff was is good shape. This was my third surgery on the same shoulder. The first one was to fix a torn rotator cuff, torn labrom, torn bicep tendons and a broken clavicle socket. The second one was to fix the anchors I tore out in PT 6.5 weeks after the first surgery. PT was royal bitch on the first two, this last one has been an absolute cakewalk. I was back to work in 5 days, restricted of course. But the restrictions were, don't do anything stupid and if it hurts don't do it again. At my 6 week checkup last week he put me to lifting weights, with no restrictions. I do whatever I'm capable of doing now, within reason of course. IMHO, Dr. David Atkinson @ St. Vincents Orthopedic is the best there is. I wish you the best of luck with yours

Agreed!

Wicked ridge has the same setup if you want a cheaper route.

I had it 16 yrs ago and its ready again
I am waiting for colder weather so my chores are less demanding
But yes missing some hunting season will suck

I had it a few years ago.

I'm going to jump on the PT bandwagon. That was the key to recovery for me. A good PT is essential.

I'll add something that hasn't been mentioned and that is a Game Ready cold compression. Mine was done by Mcgough @ Andrews Sports Medicine and they had that cold compression ready for me when I got out of recovery. It's a game changer in my opinion. Other than the first day I don't think i needed any pain meds other than maybe motrin.

Game Ready Therapy Systems

Yes the Game Ready compression ice is the shucks.

I had rotator surgery 14 months ago and was very consistent with my therapy. I still have quite a bit of pain and weakness. I am looking at a possible shoulder replacement now.

Dr David Adkison. St Vincent's Ortho. One of the top shouder surgeons in the world. You will wear your sling home and until your nerve block wears off, then you can toss it. My problems have been mostly self inflicted, and should not be a consideration in choosing or not choosing him. Just_an_Illusion will give you the same recommendation. My therapy is done by a group that's owned by a different doctors group at a different hospital and every single one of the PT's or PTA's who need shoulder work, or their family who needs shoulder work, go to my surgeon.

Ditto. If you can make it to Birmingham, give Adkinson a shot.

I agree 100% with Fur Flyin !! I've had 4 Shoulder Surgeries - 2 on each shoulder - everything from torn outer Bicep muscle (had to be anchored) to torn Labrum's, Rotator Cuff on both etc.etc. Don't BE a Hero - do excatly what the Doctor says - PT is non-negtionable - do it and make sure you push yourself - its Essential. Next one on both is going to be shoulder replacement for both - I have learned how to fall without sticking my arms out to catch myself - this only took 55 years. I still lift because arthritis is severe in both shoulders and elbows. Good Luck - sleeping is a challenge - hope you have a good recliner - Motrin is your Friend - I never did Narcotics - OH and rest when your shoulder is not feeling up to working properly - You will Know