glad to hear your doing ok!!! good luck on the next shot opportunity!!!

After several football and rugby seasons My should finally "went" - for the last time - in a September rugby match; the week before the bow opener. 

I'm not quite 30 yet, but am in the same boat...not sure when I will get around to surgery.  I've been told surgery on both shouleders was inevitable, but I highly dislike doctors and going under the knife is even less appealing. 

I can still draw a bow and have limited movement, but it hurts like hell.  I think I will at least wait and see if it is better by season's end.  Much to my wife's chagrin I am still playing rugby, too!!

I got long winded, but what I really wnat to know is: How long were you out before you were drawing a bow again?

It is my opinion that the longer you put off having a ligament repaired, the longer the therapy has to be to re-stretch the ligament back to normal. During the time the ligament is torn, the muscle it connects to has nothing to do so it withers.

I began to shoot my bow at 45 lbs soon enough to begin hunting the 2008 season--surgery Jan 21 2008

You must do the therapy, period!

Traditionalist

I should have answered about wait and see if it gets better.  Should you have a torn ligament, it will never get better because it cannot re-attach itself.  If it is not torn completely then who knows whether it will get better? Good Luck on your decisions Andrew. I would be afraid to pull the bow because I think the pain you experience is surrounding ligaments are being stressed too much without the ligament that is supposed to be doing the job that they can't really handle. This is my non-professional opinion.

Traditionalist

Bill-

Wow, between you and the wife, y'all make some convincing arguments.  I'm sure I will end up having surgery, just a matter of when.  Good thing its about rifle season! 

I know its not the smartest thing to wait and see, but sometimes I like to show a little grit.  I'll let you know what happens.

8-9 month recovery - that's lengthy!  Glad to hear you're up and running!

You probably have a big plus, Andrew, of being 44 years younger and will heal faster.

I put my surgery off until Jan after the season was over. Most of us like to show a little grit.  Huh

Here is a picture of the home  made bow pull simulator. You start with whatever they allow you and add a little weight as you are allowed.  That is two 45 lb dumbbells that I am working on. 

Traditionalist