Shotguns and rotator cuffs…

45Badger

45Badger

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Casual clay busting starts first week of May at my club in Maine. I’ve got some rotator cuff damage and weakness that is being treated via lots of PT. I think it’s improving. I still have some sore days.

Any of the avid shotgun sports folks on here deal with this? Does shooting do any damage to rotator cuffs? It will be 12 gauge target loads out of a 30” over under with decent recoil pad.

Thanks!
 
My shoulder isn't junk but at 69 it's not what it used to be.
Just got into trap. I'd like to shoot at least 3 rounds/ 2times a week.
Between weather and personal errands it's been like 2 rounds once a week for the past couple of months.
No issues with the shoulder with 12ga OU and target loads.
Maybe start with 1oz loads to begin with. I don't feel it at all.
I seem to be a better shot with those for the limited time I've had.
 
I've needed surgery on both my rotator cuffs for 30+ years, they hurt every day, and shoot my 1301 a lot....everything from target loads to 00 and slugs.
Yes it's a semi, but weighs only 7# and without much of a recoil pad.
Push-Pull method + putting stock on my peck vs shoulder joint does the trick.
 
ive been looking into a softer recoiling setup for busting clays as well after shoulder surgery. been torn between trying some "recoil reducing" stock setups on pump with light loads and trying a gas semi with some loads both it and i would like. not sure what to do yet, as ive seen some real expensive and fancy options as well as custom fitting of stocks to reduce recoil. ill have to see how things feel at a try before you buy or rental place.
alan226 said:
What type of injections
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id assume steroid injections, its what i had to deal with for awhile along with PT before they realized i actually needed the surgery to fix my problems.
 
It depends on the level of damage. If it's badly torn and you have any bone spurs or other crap in there- you could do more damage. I don't think it would be irreversible damage, but you could lose more mobility and gain more pain. Mine was bad enough I needed anchors to put it back together plus there was much work to be done to clean up the meniscus. I skipped hunting with a shotgun for a season and shot pistols and rifles as a lefty. I'm normally a lefty but prefer to shoot righty. Already had my left shoulder done years before.

You can temporarily increase your comfort with cortisone shots etc. and there's a slight chance PT will help. Usually PT is just a hoop you must jump through before getting surgical repair.

Honestly, I'd check with a real doc, not all of us witch doctors on NES, LOL. Remember this guy in case anyone suggest taking supplements. Taking supplements for a damaged rotator cuff is like eating Legos and expecting to poop out a model of the Millennium Falcon.

images


Damaged rotator cuffs can be pretty painful. You can be a martyr during the day but if it is waking you up at night- time to fix.
 
It's not exactly the same, but [too many] years ago, I shattered the head of my humerus, where it goes into the shoulder. Long story, but the break was not diagnosed for 10 days. Right shoulder, right-hand shooter.

I still have occasional owness, and if I throw overhand, "It feels like the Devil grabbed me" as my Dad used to say.

The issue I have is not from the recoil (I run an A5, set for heavy loads, so it generally does not eject, and the action sucks up most of the kick), but from the repetitive lifting. Generally not bad, but sometimes noticeable.

Leading up to: If your sawbones does not forbid it, pay attention to your body's opinion. If it starts to hurt, STOP.

If you're not in an ATA shoot, and it's just at the Club, shoot a round, then pull or score the next one, and see if you need pain meds.

Also, it's an excellent excuse for 1-2 dropped targets per round. Ask me how I know. [laugh]
 
I damaged my rotator cuff working out and when I went to the Dr who was going to repair it he told me in no uncertain terms that shotgun shooting was a very very bad idea. He indicated the recoil could finish off the tear and leave my arm hanging. Held off until my surgery and recovery was done after hearing that.
 
MAFish&Hunt said:
I had cortisone shots done and only needed one treatment. The shots allowed me to do PT without constant pain and I’m still doing good more than a year out.
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I had surgery on my left shoulder in 2020. Now my right shoulder is killing me. Had cortisone shot that didn't do much. Going to try prolotherapy.

The rehab from the surgery on my left shoulder was HORRIBLE. Trying to avoid at all costs...
 
You can lighter load the 12....Im already doing that for economy...no need to shoot over 1oz.

If I had any shoulder issues....Id just drop to a 28 gauge autoloader. Skeet your losing very little in advantage. I shoot a 28 O/U on occasion now and its joy to shoot with and I shoot 25's on occasion with it.

Trap and Sporting clays maybe losing a bit more advantage...but realistically if SC if you just shoot the targets on the closer side, its fine.

Better than sitting home because the 12 beats you up too much.
 
This is why I gave my Mossberg 500 to my son….. I might have to consider an expensive semi auto shotgun moving forward
 
Could you borrow a 20g (preferably a semi) Shoot ONE round and see how your are in the am?

You’re not likely to know realize how much you e F’d yourself up until the next day. And being unsure, hesitant might affect your grip. Possibly leading to you taking one good hit not having it tight into your shoulder. That is very painful and expensive mistake to chance.

I’d really ease back into it and be as slow ramping up as you can.
 
I'm an amateur Obi-Gyni so I don't know if that counts as a doctor.

I am a certified witch doctor though.

Shooting a shotgun sounds like a very bad idea.

Might be bad to take up Jew-Jitzu, too.
 
Reptile said:
I'm an amateur Obi-Gyni so I don't know if that counts as a doctor.

I am a certified witch doctor though.

Shooting a shotgun sounds like a very bad idea.

Might be bad to take up Jew-Jitzu, too.
Click to expand...
1745529860007.jpeg

Another NES "Out Yourself" thread, I see....

Do you take Blue Cross Buffalo Hide Shield?
 
Sigh, after seeing this thread. I am currently going through PT for right shoulder rotator cuff issues. Specialist consult is likely near term.

On the other hand (pardon the pun), I am left eye dominant but right handed. An expericenced trap and shotgun guy suggested I try shooting left handed. Maybe that's the ticket!
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I damaged my rotator cuff working out and when I went to the Dr who was going to repair it he told me in no uncertain terms that shotgun shooting was a very very bad idea. He indicated the recoil could finish off the tear and leave my arm hanging. Held off until my surgery and recovery was done after hearing that.
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat. Took a bad fall then1st week of deer season last fall......slipped on dry leaves going down a hill.....fell backwards and drive my right elbow into the ground with all my 300 pounds of weight......the elbow hit the ground b4 anything else. I knew right away I did damage. Been trying to do things to avoid surgery for 5 months....cortisone shot x 3.......pt......pt made it worse. Had an mri at the va yesterday and follow up is may 2. The ortho doc says she suspects rotator cuff because of my symptoms. I'm fine if I'm working below parallel to the ground but incant raise my right arm past level wothout a burning sensation going down my shoulder to my elbow. Haven't shot a pistol or shotgun since November. Just can't hole a pistol up at all. 22 rifles is what I've been popping around with at the club to keep shooting.....and my wonchester 92 44 mag with super light reloads. Doc told me forget about a shotgun till we get this sorted out. May2 I'm hoping then doc says......this is the problem......and surgery can fix it. I need to get this fixed so I can recover b4 hunting season.
 
whacko said:
I'm in the same boat. Took a bad fall then1st week of deer season last fall......slipped on dry leaves going down a hill.....fell backwards and drive my right elbow into the ground with all my 300 pounds of weight......the elbow hit the ground b4 anything else. I knew right away I did damage. Been trying to do things to avoid surgery for 5 months....cortisone shot x 3.......pt......pt made it worse. Had an mri at the va yesterday and follow up is may 2. The ortho doc says she suspects rotator cuff because of my symptoms. I'm fine if I'm working below parallel to the ground but incant raise my right arm past level wothout a burning sensation going down my shoulder to my elbow. Haven't shot a pistol or shotgun since November. Just can't hole a pistol up at all. 22 rifles is what I've been popping around with at the club to keep shooting.....and my wonchester 92 44 mag with super light reloads. Doc told me forget about a shotgun till we get this sorted out. May2 I'm hoping then doc says......this is the problem......and surgery can fix it. I need to get this fixed so I can recover b4 hunting season.
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sorry bud, but if it is your rotator cuff, it's a minimum of 6 motions rehab, probably more. When the surgeon goes in, don't be surprised if he finds other stuff to clean up.

I had my surgery beginning July 2020. 12+ weeks in a sling. PT 2 times a week for 6 months along with doing my own PT ever day. It was literally 8+ months before I could even think about swinging a golf club and almost a year to feel completely normal.

Good luck. The surgery and rehab blows, but it DOES work
 
alan226 said:
sorry bud, but if it is your rotator cuff, it's a minimum of 6 motions rehab, probably more. When the surgeon goes in, don't be surprised if he finds other stuff to clean up.

I had my surgery beginning July 2020. 12+ weeks in a sling. PT 2 times a week for 6 months along with doing my own PT ever day. It was literally 8+ months before I could even think about swinging a golf club and almost a year to feel completely normal.

Good luck. The surgery and rehab blows, but it DOES work
Click to expand...
Doc told me rehab length depends on the severity of the tear. A full thickness tear is 6 to 9 months......partial tear rehab can be 3 months. I'm praying it's the latter.
 
QTHNH said:
Sigh, after seeing this thread. I am currently going through PT for right shoulder rotator cuff issues. Specialist consult is likely near term.

On the other hand (pardon the pun), I am left eye dominant but right handed. An expericenced trap and shotgun guy suggested I try shooting left handed. Maybe that's the ticket!
Click to expand...
yeah, im right handed but left eye dominant. i messed up my left shoulder, so things could be a lot worse, but i always found i was more accurate shooting lefty. nowadays my limit for lefty shooting is intermediate rifle rounds. anything with stouter recoil like most shotguns and full size rifle rounds i shoot righty now.
 

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