Rotator Cuff Injury - need help to modify prone position

[tlk]

Went to the doc today and got the prelim news - it looks like I tore some ligaments and tendons in my left shoulder. MRI is scheduled to find out what's what. I shoot right handed. When I prone out my arm comes out of socket, so until I get this fixed/rehabed I need a new shoulder friendly way to shoot, preferably like I will hunt (bench is out, for now). Surgery if needed will be a ways off due to timing issues.

So it looks like my hunting postion will have to change, hopefully only a little. Any suggestions you have on this would be massively appreciated, especially if you have gone through this before.

Thanks.

 

[SBruce]

Sorry to hear the bad news.

possibly practice a little "weak side" shooting. I had shoulder surgery as a teenager, and had to learn to shoot left handed for a while........it felt really weird, but not impossible.

Best o Luck.

 

[SBruce]

I do most of my big game shooting and coyote hunting (although not the really long range stuff) from a sitting position with a pair of crossed wooden dowels held together with a bolt/nut and a length of snare cable. I've been able to hit coyotes at 300 yds or so this way, and deer out to about 400, but I gotta keep in practice to shoot that far off them. Might be worth a shot if learning to be a lefty isn't in the cards.??

 

[fj48]

Went to the doc today and got the prelim news - it looks like I tore some ligaments and tendons in my left shoulder. MRI is scheduled to find out what's what. I shoot right handed. When I prone out my arm comes out of socket, so until I get this fixed/rehabed I need a new shoulder friendly way to shoot, preferably like I will hunt (bench is out, for now). Surgery if needed will be a ways off due to timing issues.

So it looks like my hunting postion will have to change, hopefully only a little. Any suggestions you have on this would be massively appreciated, especially if you have gone through this before.

Thanks.

A set of shooting sticks is the way to go for now. Make the most of your shooting because after the surgery on your shoulder you will be out of action for some time.
I snapped my left shoulder biceps tendon clean off the shoulder and waited a few months to get it repaired back in 2006.
After the tendon and rotator cuff surgery I could not even lift a tea spoon for a month and it took twelve months before I was 100% again.

 

[tlk]

Dude, I hear you on the torn tendon. This is the same arm I had my tricep tear from the elbow. That took 2 full years to heal and I am only now able to perform at a level that is near what it used to be. Well, that is until this came along...

 

[Buffalobob]

Check the device Len uses for coyote hunting.

 

[mhdick]

if you tore lig/tendons and the left arm comes out of socket - (you probably know this) DON'T SHOOT LEFT HANDED EITHER!!!
I'm not sure why you can't shoot bench (unless you are wanting to practice from hunting positions, then I understand).

I'll +1 on the stix or a bipod and sitting. As long as you can get set-up decently without hurting the left shoulder doing so. I'm not sure there is any real way to modify a prone position to do what you want.

Question on this - what are you shooting? and locations?
When prone - does the shoulder come out when you lean down on your elbow, or is it reaching forward with the left hand (or - where is your left arm/hand when you shoot, do you hold the forearm of the gun or have the hand tucked under you to raise/lower the buttstock or what?)? The answer to this MAY help figure out a modified prone position that won't hurt the shoulder.

 

[tlk]

I got the MRI results via voicemail this last Friday - loose but no torn tendons or ligaments, the AC joint has "severe arthritis" - IOW, the slop catch and pop in the joint is coming from that evidently. Two month rehab time estimated if they cut the tip of the collarbone off.

I was thinking that I would use sticks and start training myself on the finer points of using a competition sling. Anyone with advice on the sling? What are the realistic distances with that setup?

MHDick, to answer your question: deer and pigs are the quarry. I wasn't wanting to shoot bench b/c I wanted to mimic hunting conditions.

 

[mhdick]

If I were in your position/condition I would ask about a cortisone shot in the shoulder prior to doing any surgery and some therapy. Since there is nothing torn, a shot to reduce pain & inflammation, then some therapy to increase stability in the shoulder joint might be enough for you for quite a while - months to years.
I am a physical therapist and have seen a few folks who have had the end of the clavicle/collarbone removed and you may have a 2 month rehab (and feel fairly good), but it will still likely hurt for a while after this. Maybe not as much pain as you have now, but you won't "feel good" for at least 4-5 months, give or take.
Not to question your ortho at all! but a shot can certainly reduce inflammation (and pain!). Some targeted strengthening exercises can help stabilize the shoulder joint also.
Best of luck to you and a speedy recovery!
BTW - is this a specific injury, or just general overuse over many years?

I was thinking if you tried prone, but kept your left arm more under your body instead of out to the side it might help - because when you bring your elbow out to the side or out in front of you, the AC joint will move in ways that cause more & more pain now. just a thought. not sure if this would work, though.