Post Shoulder Surgery & Range Time

[BlK Lantern]

ALCON:

Ever since my shoulder surgery (Jan. 2012) I've not been able to wait to return to the range & enjoy my passion of target shooting. I tried a few months after with a 12 gauge & the pain was devastating more so than pre-surgery. Because of weak tendons holding my shotgun is a challenge within itself. I've tried modifying the position of a sling in various configurations. I tried using the other arm but I'm getting shoulder surgery on that side in a few months.
My question here is for those that had shoulder surgery is how long did it take for you to return to the range @ 100%?

I've been using a 22LR but its not the same.

P.S. for those that like to hit the gym take care of your shoulders-LOL!

[smokinskul]

I had surgery a few years back for a torn Labrum. After the surgery, it took me a solid 6 months before I could hold anything steady, and a good 9 months before I could shoot. Take your time, it will be here for you when you heal.

[9mmrevolver]

Broke my collar bone in 2 spots once. Took me a year. A 308 was painful to shoot before that

[Squid]

follow the directions of doc and pt with Obsessive Compulsive rigor, it will really pay off.

try too much too soon and you will be in vicious cycle of re-injury.

shoulders are one of the worst for repeated re-injury according to my physical therapist, both structurally and 'cause people tend to'.

now is the time to say "yes" when they ask if you need help out to your car LOL.

I strongly suggest using this as opportunity to learn to shoot with other hand/shoulder...but only if doc says A-OK. You always wanted to do that, right, like that foreign language you were going to learn.

I might be two years of healing and slow build up before you can shoot anything like old days. YMMV.

But remember every re-injury makes it that much worse, permanently.

[Blademan21]

I had my third rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder this past December. Did my PT like a mad man. Went to FS for their 2 day handgun class in April and again in October. Still afraid to shoot my shotgun because its still sore at times. Hoping to take the 2 day shotgun class in March/April of 2013. If I'm healed 100%. DO NOT rush it. You will pay dearly if you do.Good luck.

[nickel plate]

My "shooting" shoulder surgery took a year to even feel better without doing any sporting clay practice. I bought a Browning .410 pump to use once I hit the 15 month level-that helped my ego and around two years out I got back on the 12 gauge.
Time does heal all so let the time do its work. Good luck.

[Quinc]

If it was a gym issue you might look into Active Release therapy and Rolfing. Saved me a surgery. Anyway if you are worried about the recoil you should look into a shooting jacket/shirt.

[Exodus343]

Do what the physical therapist tell you to, since you are motivated to get back into shooting make sure you do all the strengthening and stretching exercises
DO NOT rush into it, trust me I've rushed too many tears/sprains etc and it bites me in the *** once in a while
Only your body can tell you when you can go back to your activities, good luck with your recovery

[DannyInSoCal]

Gel pad and low recoil ammo till you're healed....

[Ron-Solo]

Had shoulder surgery last July. 40+ sessions of physical therapy later, I was able to shoot some 9mm and .22 stuff last weekend for the first time. Can't maintain a steady hold yet for any precision shooting.

Be patient with the bigger stuff. You can cause more permanent injury that might not be able to be fixed.