Recoil Pain After Shoulder Surgery?

[M-61]

I’m not looking for medical advice. Got plenty of doctors.
Anyone on here have reverse full shoulder replacement? Once the shoulder completely healed did recoil bother you at all? I’m shooting very mild recoiling (30br the biggest) from the bench and anxious to start again. The doctors can give a ton of info about range of motion. I realize my chances of becoming a baseball pitcher are gone, but I’ve yet to have a doctor who shoots, much less knows anything about recoil. ( really a shame). So I asked how about getting punched in the shoulder.? He said “Why would that happen?”
So that’s why this question on this site. Seems none firearm questions upset some members. Well, I don’t care. I’m a member and I sure will ask what I’d like an answer to.
Thanks in advance to anyone who responds and has had this type of surgery.

 

[Charliemac]

Not a reverse but an anatomical replacement on the right shoulder, I am right handed. So I gave it pretty much a year before I got back to shooting matches. That’s Palma and Fullbore with a 308 and in a sling.

 

[M-61]

Not a reverse but an anatomical replacement on the right shoulder, I am right handed. So I gave it pretty much a year before I got back to shooting matches. That’s Palma and Fullbore with a 308 and in a sling.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Interesting that the 308 fit in so well. Fortunately I don’t shoot that cartridge anymore because even though I feel I am healing well, the 308 is more than I am hoping for. But your response certainly gives me hope and I thank you. Not sure what an anatomical replacement is but I’ll look it up.
Best regards
Chuck

 

[JB10]

A coworker had his replaced for a torn rotator cuff. Dont k ow the name of procedure, but a 308 bothers him. He has been sticking with small stuff and going to try again later. His surgery was almost a year ago.

 

[Ron Gorski]

My Uncle was going to get a reverse shoulder replacement. His Doc told him no more shooting.
He is still dealing with the pain so he can shoot.

 

[Charliemac]

An anatomical replacement, replaces the existing features with artificial components. A reverse switches the location of the components because the rotator cuff tendons are damaged. There’s all sorts of information on the web.

 

[rjtfroggy]

M61 I just had it done in March and have not shot yet, but I hope to start again in a week. I see the Dr. this week and will ask if I'm healed enough to shoot, therapist says he thinks I can start with something small, so I'll start with my 6x45.
I bought a strap on shoulder pad and if need be, will fold a towel over the pad also. I will probably have one hell of a flinch for the anticipated pain but after 13 months (2 surgeries) I just can't wait any more to get back to the range.
Good luck with your recovery, mine had a few setbacks but I am ready to go, I think.

 

[M-61]

M61 I just had it done in March and have not shot yet, but I hope to start again in a week. I see the Dr. this week and will ask if I'm healed enough to shoot, therapist says he thinks I can start with something small, so I'll start with my 6x45.
I bought a strap on shoulder pad and if need be, will fold a towel over the pad also. I will probably have one hell of a flinch for the anticipated pain but after 13 months (2 surgeries) I just can't wait any more to get back to the range.
Good luck with your recovery, mine had a few setbacks but I am ready to go, I think.

Thank you for the reply and the very best recovery

 

[M-61]

An anatomical replacement, replaces the existing features with artificial components. A reverse switches the location of the components because the rotator cuff tendons are damaged. There’s all sorts of information on the web.

Thanks for that. Knew nothing about anatomical replacement but know too much about reverse shoulder! Once the surgeon needs a tool box in the O.R it really grasps your interest if you’re the one it’s happening to.

 

[M-61]

M61 I just had it done in March and have not shot yet, but I hope to start again in a week. I see the Dr. this week and will ask if I'm healed enough to shoot, therapist says he thinks I can start with something small, so I'll start with my 6x45.
I bought a strap on shoulder pad and if need be, will fold a towel over the pad also. I will probably have one hell of a flinch for the anticipated pain but after 13 months (2 surgeries) I just can't wait any more to get back to the range.
Good luck with your recovery, mine had a few setbacks but I am ready to go, I think.

Please let me know how it progresses.
I’m very interested, as I’d like to have an idea where I stand time wise.

 

[Murray Brook]

Maybe start out with a rimfire to see if there is any pain and go from there. Pain is normally a great indicator of what one should and should not do.

 

[K22]

Can't offer any medical advice, but I wish you well in your recovery and return to the sport.

 

[Dgd6mm]

In September I go in for a full reversal replacement on my left shoulder. Right now I'm 16 weeks post op from my right shoulder rotator cuff repair. My right shoulder just fell short of needing to be replaced. I've healed well and getting my range of motion back, but still a ways to go. I've met plenty of people that have had every shoulder repair or replacement. Every one that have had both say the replacement is less time for recovery and less pain in the long run. I'm a right side shooter. I started rimfire at 10 weeks and recently started shooting my .223's that have brakes on them. Everything is good and not experiencing any discomfort from shooting. I know the replacement may be different but I get it done after my pdog trip. Most Dr's are overly cautious and I understand that but not everyone heals at the same rate. As an individual you know your body best. I go in for my 18 week check up in 8 days and I'm sure I'll hear the same thing, your doing well, keep working on the range of motion. My P.T. knows how well I'm doing more than my Dr. they see me working out every week so I ask them and it always hasn't been what I want to hear. I hope you get back shooting real soon and with no discomfort.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Chuck, I had the total reverse shoulder replacement done on my right shoulder in November last. I'm right-handed. The post op pain was minimal thanks to using the Polar Wave cooling device for the first week after surgery to keep the injury cold and almost pain-free. I highly recommend the device, but know that it's not covered by Medicare, but worth the $250 out-of-pocket in every way. I avoid the pain narcotics, did not take one pill at all.

Just shy of five months after surgery, I took off for our annual week long ground squirrel shoot in E. OR and had no problems shooting from the bench where we shoot all day, up to 300 rnds/day of shooting. The shooting was really not an issue for the shoulder, as I only shot my 17HMR, 20 Vartarg and 221FB, so recoil was minimal. No discomfort of any kind for the week and none after returning home either.

I have not shot any rifle caliber heavier than the ones noted, just wanted to reply to you for a baseline for you to judge your own decisions related to rifle shooting after this procedure. I will admit that now after 7 months from surgery, I still lack about 10% range of motion, but I'm still working on the PT exercises to improve that.

Best wishes for your surgery, and a speedy recovery which is predicated on doing that dang PT no one enjoys.

 

[markT]

At Rick in OR. I wished I had known about that device. I’m 6.5 weeks into recovery from torn Rotator Cuff (30 mm) tear from generator hurricane Helene in September. Hasn’t been terrible off meds in 6 days. I hate those things. M61 how could your discussion not be firearm related? Is it not a firearm you are operating?

 

[M-61]

Chuck, I had the total reverse shoulder replacement done on my right shoulder in November last. I'm right-handed. The post op pain was minimal thanks to using the Polar Wave cooling device for the first week after surgery to keep the injury cold and almost pain-free. I highly recommend the device, but know that it's not covered by Medicare, but worth the $250 out-of-pocket in every way. I avoid the pain narcotics, did not take one pill at all.

Just shy of five months after surgery, I took off for our annual week long ground squirrel shoot in E. OR and had no problems shooting from the bench where we shoot all day, up to 300 rnds/day of shooting. The shooting was really not an issue for the shoulder, as I only shot my 17HMR, 20 Vartarg and 221FB, so recoil was minimal. No discomfort of any kind for the week and none after returning home either.

I have not shot any rifle caliber heavier than the ones noted, just wanted to reply to you for a baseline for you to judge your own decisions related to rifle shooting after this procedure. I will admit that now after 7 months from surgery, I still lack about 10% range of motion, but I'm still working on the PT exercises to improve that.

Best wishes for your surgery, and a speedy recovery which is predicated on doing that dang PT no one enjoys.

Thank you for taking the time to write a comprehensive reply. On August 28th 2024 I had a surgery to repair a fully cut rotator muscle, two others that had tendons severed, and a sliced in half bicep. Everything was a 100% failure. This June 11th I had a total replacement reversal surgery. I’m only 3 weeks after the surgery and I’m itchy because I feel pretty good. Way better than last years, that was painful, long, and a total failure. I’m not a pussy but I am very glad I read about this procedure AFTER I had it.
I really appreciate everyone’s replies and because of that I have a real nice feeling about my shooting future.
In reply to it being firearm related. Well there’s a site member that likes watches. I think that’s great and he posts about watches occasionally. There’s a site member who took great offense because it wasn’t firearm related. I wanted to make it crystal clear to him that I feel a member has the right to post whatever he wants. ( no I don’t mean porn or pipe bombs) .
And where else better than this site to ask a question about recoil and shoulder surgery?
Thanks again for taking the time on a long weekend everyone.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Thank you for taking the time to write a comprehensive reply.
And where else better than this site to ask a question about recoil and shoulder surgery?
Thanks again for taking the time on a long weekend everyone.

You're welcome Chuck, and as far as posting that here, as we're all rifle shooters who all have shoulders, it seems to me a legit post in the right place for the right reason; help from fellow shooters who have shoulders and shoot rifles.

Shoulders don't last forever, rifles, almost. Hope you heal up well.

 

[forsyth793]

Right handed and 8 weeks from reverse shoulder replacement. Everything is better than I expected. The Doctor said no impact sports, we will see. One of the things that's concerning is pull start yard tools. Who can start up their Weed eater or backpack blower?