Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Shoulder replacement surgery

Wondering if anyone (I’m sure a few) has had shoulder replacement surgery? Mine is coming in 6 weeks
Doctor says 20-25 lb max on repaired arm, does anyone know if this translates to recoil as well? I asked and said I could shoot but the recoil question stumped him. Are my big bore heavy hitter days done? (.338, .375,30-06?)

Much depends on your age and the strength of your shoulder currently and what you can gain after surgery. The shoulder is a very difficult “joint”, its more like a ball sitting on a curved plate. The strength of all connective tissue and muscles determines your ability, but Heavy recoil will not be your friend. The metal has to attach to something, and nothing like that like shock forces.

Thanks that’s my fear, I’m 50 and in good condition but one of prompts to finally see surgeon is my shooting and hunting is suffering among other things.
Maybe I’ll just have to start with light recoil ones and work my way up until I get to a point it isn’t worth pain or possible damage.

FWIW, I had total right shoulder replacement 1-6-20.
Do the therapy, do the therapy!!!!

Do NOT overdo it.

When I finally tried shooting again, I started with 22LR for months, to let heal and build back technique.

Gradually increased through to deer rifles.

I just shot a couple coyotes with a 458 Win Mag.
No problems, but not going keep doing that either.

I had my right shoulder pretty much torn off at 60. The highest/worst rating for shoulder damage is “massive” and Zi was listed at that.
I teach trap and skeet shooters and 4 years later I cannot get thru a round of 25. Currently I’m having some custom jell pads sewn together for a pad I can wear. I hope it works.
I also changed over to shooting softer A400 12 gauge models. I still need the pads.
Not sure I’ll ever be able to enjoy another season in Sask chasing geese and ducks with those loads but I can hope.
Good luck with yours.

Osky

Your heavy hitters are done, yes. Fortunately my left shoulder was the damaged one and underwent the reverse replacement. I have about 40% use of my left arm at best.

It's better than no arm function, which was the alternative, but the pain level never gets below 6 and is usually 7-8. One of the best did my surgery. He's a shoulder specialist for the US Ski Team.

I had to quit a lot of the hunting I enjoyed all my life. A fall down a chukar mountain and landing on my left shoulder would render it permanently useless.

Thanks for all of the replies, you confirmed my suspicions. Might be time to start making changes in the inventory and moving to those small fast cartridges everyone is raving about!

Did a snow goose hunt 3 years ago and couldn’t lift my arm for two days. Severe arthritis is the issue, rotator seems intact but can’t tell for sure on MRI due to surgery to fix a reoccurring dislocation 30 years ago.

Hunting buddy had his replaced.

Scar looks like a big shark bite.

Had it done at Tulane (maybe) in NOLA.

Took it easy for awhile.

Back to shooting .35 whelen and 300 mag.

If he had it done at Tulane, he probably had it done by Dr. Felix "The Shoulder Whisperer" Savoie. Dr Savoie operated on mine after the doctor that did my replacement dicked it up. Oddly, recoil doesn't bother it. 12 Gauge duck loads is about the heaviest recoiling gun I have shot since my last operation.

Thanks again for input, giving me some hope, but sounds like I’ll have to start light once I get the ok and be patient.

I had my right shoulder replaced 2 years ago. It was a conventional replacement, not a reverse. The reverse procedure results in greater incapacity and restrictions than the conventional, and you don't specify which procedure you are having done.

My shoulder was a mess before surgery, except the rotator was not too bad. A lifetime of shooting big rifles and shotguns, plus decades of splitting firewood with a maul, pretty much destroyed it. The surgery was done in April and recovery was not exactly a recreational experience, but I tolerated it well. I did the PT faithfully. For the first 6 months I didn't do any shooting, and at 7 months or so, I had no desire to shoot anything bigger than a .223. I did shoot 4 or 5 shots with a 20-gauge shotgun at grouse that fall, with no ill effects.

At one year I was able to tolerate shooting a .30/06 for 20 rounds offhand. Now at 2 years, I can shoot a round of clays or use the '06 from the bench without issues. I fired a .50 BMG the other day without even thinking about my shoulder (but only 1 shot). I did sell my belted magnums and 3 1/2" 12 Gauge. I figure if it can't be killed with a .30/06 or a 2 3/4" shotshell, I am done hunting it. But I really do not feel handicapped beyond that at this point.

Prior to surgery, my arm was in severe pain almost all the time. Now it is completely pain-free. And I can still enjoy shooting. The surgery was a godsend. I have also had both knees replaced and my cataracts done. Call me Bionic Bob. We have the technology......

Get a fast twist 6mm something, and live a little.

I’m glad this went well for you. A man should be able to shoot what he enjoys shooting. I bet that rehab was pretty rough! I’m recovering from having my pectoral reattached to my upper arm, near the shoulder. I start rehab next week. Gonna kick it in the butt!

Or you can say screw the surgery,go to a good physical therapist and weight train correctly.Yes that does work.

I know everyone is different, but can say I’ve been there done that and it failed. No amount of PT, strength training or steroid injections cures arthritis once you’re bone on bone.

I’m definitely looking into some changes in the inventory, might keep one larger bore just in case get bug to moose hunt again. Appreciate hearing from those who have had the experience.

Plus 1. Arthritis with bone on bone in strong side shoulder. Tolerated the grinding, snapping, and pain for 5 years with an active outdoor lifestyle. Finally saw a surgeon in March of last year. He was very concerned by the x-rays showing that the glenoid socket may have been worn too severely to attach the replacement socket. He scheduled an immediate MRI to get more detail, which fortunately showed that a conventional shoulder replacement was possible. I had shoulder replacement surgery two weeks later. With diligent PT, my shoulder is in excellent shape.

Regarding the OP's question on shooting and recoil, I installed Limbsaver Airtech recoil pads on my 30.06 and 308 bolt rifles and 12 guage 870, and use a PAST recoil pad for shooting the old the 38-55 with a cresent steel buttplate.

Thanks for reply, definitely giving me hope! I realize my days of pulling a bow are over, have that up few years back from pain, probably should have seen a doctor then!

I would seriously reconsider having your shoulder replaced.

It’s a long story but I’ve had two shoulder surgeries. I’m a shotgun shooter and mounting a shotgun 2000 to 3000 times a week probably took its toll along with the punishment over the years in the gym.

I had a surgery on my left shoulder. A surgeon ground out a lot of arthritis and tried to make some room to correct an impingement. As usual, I jumped back into the gym too soon and the thing really took a long time and never really got better. After consulting with the surgeon and other doctors in the group, they all concluded that my shoulder was toast and I needed a replacement. My left shoulder was so bad that I couldn’t drive and use the steering wheel without pain that felt like an ice pick going into my shoulder, and I couldn’t put dishes out of the dishwasher back up into a cupboard

I decided to just quit working shoulders at the gym. If it hurt I didn’t do it. That layoff helped, and I soon began adding a little bit of shoulder work back into the routine.

I’m in the gym five days a week now as always. I only work shoulders once a week and very lightly. But I’ll tell you right now I don’t need a shoulder replacement yet. It’s working just fine.

If I were you I would try giving it some time before you jump into a replacement surgery. The doctors always told me that my natural joint was better than any man-made thing they could put in. The man-made joints only last about 15 years anyway on you’ll need another one.

I don’t want to offend, but Lol.

I was there, did the same thing, I had my first surgery on shoulder 30 years ago. Every time I “tweaked” it I did exactly what you suggested. And it worked…kinda, but never came back better or same as before the “tweak”. It’s finally got to point no matter what I do it hurts to put on a coat or even get dressed in the morning. So I am at point that if I have to give up my big bores to wake up and get dressed without pain I’ll do it.
My OP asked about recoil, in today’s market if I can unload my big bores at good price I might be able to afford a custom small fast one that will satisfy the custom gun itch

You may want to ask for more information about other options.

https://www.medicalwellnessassociates.com/regenerative-orthopedics.html