Shooting after Ruptured bicep

[klaus]

Morning all,

For context, I recently snapped my distal bicep tendon (whilst trying to catch a sheep q the jokes).

Two weeks after the injury I had surgery to re attach the bicep which had left me in a full arm cast for 2-3 weeks (mine comes off next week) following which I will be in an elbow brace with restricted movement for 6-12 weeks….


Needless to say this has wrecked my shooting this season, I had to sell me syndicate spot by the day losing a fair few quid and have had to cancel my planned stalking … but enough whinging, I’m now looking to the future and how best to get back to it!

Has anyone had any similar experience coming back from an arm injury? If so what was the recovery period? Did the recoil cause problems etc?

Any insight from experience would be appreciated!!

 

[WalkedUp]

That’s awful luck. Not anywhere as severe but I have twice torn ligaments in my shoulders. Once was slipping off a wet rock whilst carrying my son. I had to protect him and so went down horribly. Anyway after a period of rest I started physio on both shoulders and it is working well. I have carried it on and the joints feel stronger than ever. My shooting is better than it has been too. It is not quick, but does work.

 

[finbar]

My plumber mate did same thing picking big radiator up small scar where they reattached the tenon about 10 weeks of with Phsyo
But he was 35 then so heal that lil bit quicker

 

[Greenmist]

Don't rush the recovery process

 

[nun_hunter]

The fact you're thinking about it in advance and planning ahead is very good.

I spent two weeks at a residential rehab place through my old job and the one thing they kept saying (and others who had visited also said) was starting the physio early and at the right time. Leave it too late and everything has stiffened and shortened and will take infinitely longer (if ever) to get back to normal.

Obviously you need to speak with the consultant and surgeon etc but if your physio is planned through NHS or anywhere there could be a delay this can cause ongoing issues. You want to be able to have the physio lined up ready to start as soon as you can, not try to book it once given the all clear and then waiting a number of weeks/months.

Anecdotal evidence to some extent but everyone I know who booked the rehab clinic prior to surgery so it was timed correctly recovered quicker and better than those who either booked late or only booked after an injury and had to wait a couple of months for a spot.

 

[Stalker62]

I spent two weeks at a residential rehab place through my old job...

@nun_hunter

Flint House?

 

[Rookandrabbit]

@klaus good luck with your recovery! At least you are being seen and not left to wait 9 months as I was. Yes you can get back shooting but take it easy at first. My shoulder injury( already dislocated previously x2) turned out to be two discs stuck in my spine squeezing the cord flatter than a tube of toothpaste
physio was provided but ended up needing an MRI and ultimately spinal surgery to fuse the spine and insertion of a titanium metal cage with carbon fibre discs .
I don’t shoot 3.5 inch magnum loads anymore. The .458 Magnum and slug loads are certainly out (I do not wish to loosen the metal framework never mind my fillings).

I moved out of centrefire full bore rifle and went to gallery shooting for a good few years , then back to centrefire full bore and fell in love with the Creedmoor in 6.5 mm nice highly accurate gentle to shoot ……..(bought one then the MOD have banned them on their ranges ) .

Everybody is different but healing takes time nerve damage is the problem you can rebuild up muscle but nerves are another matter.

It is good you are positive and planning ahead but listen to the medics then your own body will let you know what you can do!

I always remember a former colleague who said “ pain is the body’s way of letting you know you are still alive ….and what you are doing will cause damage …..so stop!”

Good luck with your recovery.

 

[Tim.243]

Morning all,

For context, I recently snapped my distal bicep tendon (whilst trying to catch a sheep q the jokes).

Two weeks after the injury I had surgery to re attach the bicep which had left me in a full arm cast for 2-3 weeks (mine comes off next week) following which I will be in an elbow brace with restricted movement for 6-12 weeks….


Needless to say this has wrecked my shooting this season, I had to sell me syndicate spot by the day losing a fair few quid and have had to cancel my planned stalking … but enough whinging, I’m now looking to the future and how best to get back to it!

Has anyone had any similar experience coming back from an arm injury? If so what was the recovery period? Did the recoil cause problems etc?

Any insight from experience would be appreciated!!

Not quite the same but I had to have a quaterzone jab for a rotator cuff which I put up with for 4 months then 3 months of stretching with the phiso bands. I all but passed out on the ultrasound appointment as he took my arm back past where I would not take it before. (then had to drive home about 17 miles) Very hard welding but I switched to my right hand for a while. Still not right pre when I hurt it but good enough. I carried the rifle on the right shoulder and just used the right arm more. Hope you mend soon, stretching was painful but made a big difference

 

[nun_hunter]

@nun_hunter

Flint House?

Yes. I've never felt more relaxed after 2 weeks there. It was a bit like an old people's home but for people young enough to enjoy it!

 

[Stalker62]

Yes. I've never felt more relaxed after 2 weeks there.

@nun_hunter

A fantastic place, with remarkable staff.

I had to go there for a couple of sessions, after I managed to break my neck and back at work.

I still remember the advice given to me before I got there...


"Stay away from the 'food chuckers'."

Found out quick enough, that that was good advice.

 

[nun_hunter]

@klaus good luck with your recovery! At least you are being seen and not left to wait 9 months as I was. Yes you can get back shooting but take it easy at first. My shoulder injury( already dislocated previously x2) turned out to be two discs stuck in my spine squeezing the cord flatter than a tube of toothpaste View attachment 391445
physio was provided but ended up needing an MRI and ultimately spinal surgery to fuse the spine and insertion of a titanium metal cage with carbon fibre discs .
I don’t shoot 3.5 inch magnum loads anymore. The .458 Magnum and slug loads are certainly out (I do not wish to loosen the metal framework never mind my fillings).View attachment 391447

I moved out of centrefire full bore rifle and went to gallery shooting for a good few years , then back to centrefire full bore and fell in love with the Creedmoor in 6.5 mm nice highly accurate gentle to shoot ……..(bought one then the MOD have banned them on their ranges ) .

Everybody is different but healing takes time nerve damage is the problem you can rebuild up muscle but nerves are another matter.

It is good you are positive and planning ahead but listen to the medics then your own body will let you know what you can do!

I always remember a former colleague who said “ pain is the body’s way of letting you know you are still alive ….and what you are doing will cause damage …..so stop!”

Good luck with your recovery.

Not all pain is equal, if that makes sense, even more so with long term injuries. There has been plenty of recent research done on this for people with persistent pain (especially back pain) that no longer appear to have any injuries.

The below link is well worth a read for anyone with persistent pain and how to get back to normal movements.

Booklet Archives - Know Pain

www.knowpain.co.uk

I remember my consultant after an MRI saying that when I next had a flare up I should have bed rest for 2 days to stop it getting worse. I followed that advice for a couple of years and every time the flare up got worse over the two days and took weeks to get better. As soon as I started treating each flare up with walking and light movement/stretched they would settle within a few days and I'd be back to normal in a week.

When it comes to the human body and injuries I believe the two sayings "use it, or lose it" and "motion is lotion".

 

[Stalker62]

When it comes to the human body and injuries I believe the two sayings "use it, or lose it" and "motion is lotion".

Very much this.

 

[nun_hunter]

@nun_hunter

A fantastic place, with remarkable staff.

I had to go there for a couple of sessions, after I managed to break my neck and back at work.

I still remember the advice given to me before I got there...


"Stay away from the 'food chuckers'."

Found out quick enough, that that was good advice.

Ouch, that does not sound like fun

It was great and well worth the £7 a month for 15 years I paid before using it.

Luckily for me my physiotherapist had spent the week before at Heathrow with the ARVs so had some great first hand knowledge of the kit I had been carrying and what a normal shift entailed so her treatment was spot on.

 

[nun_hunter]

Also the Dr who coined the acronym RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) has since renounced that advice in the face of further studies that show heat and (gentle) movement promote quicker and more effective recovery.

 

[Stalker62]

It was great and well worth the £7 a month for 15 years I paid before using it.

By the time I was kicked out, there was a significant number of new recruits who were not even paying into it.

Madness.

You hope to never need it.

Chances are you may well not.

However, when you need it, you really, really need it.

 

[Rookandrabbit]

@Stalker62 @nun_hunter sounds similar to St. Andrew’s Harrogatefor the Northern lads and girls…………..it’s grim up North as they say

 

[nun_hunter]

By the time I was kicked out, there was a significant number of new recruits who were not even paying into it.

Madness.

You hope to never need it.

Chances are you may well not.

However, when you need it, you really, really need it.

Unfortunately partly due to the younger recruits not being paid as well so (wrongly IMO) don't want to spend out on something they think they'll not need as they don't plan on being in the police more than 5-10 years ago would have left before they "get old" plenty don't pay into the pension any more for the same reason too.

 

[Rookandrabbit]

Not all pain is equal, if that makes sense, even more so with long term injuries.

This book is the latest bible containing the new mantra dished out to people who are left with long term chronic pain. Yes pain is the bodies way of telling you that your exceeding your limit and when the adrenaline wears off the damage is there to see . Yes you can get on with life but it does limit what you can do you have to realise your limitations.
@klaus good luck with your recovery and good luck getting back on your rifle

 

[Stalker62]

...plenty don't pay into the pension any more for the same reason too.

Indeed.

TJF

 

[jimmer.13]

Morning all,

For context, I recently snapped my distal bicep tendon (whilst trying to catch a sheep q the jokes).

Two weeks after the injury I had surgery to re attach the bicep which had left me in a full arm cast for 2-3 weeks (mine comes off next week) following which I will be in an elbow brace with restricted movement for 6-12 weeks….


Needless to say this has wrecked my shooting this season, I had to sell me syndicate spot by the day losing a fair few quid and have had to cancel my planned stalking … but enough whinging, I’m now looking to the future and how best to get back to it!

Has anyone had any similar experience coming back from an arm injury? If so what was the recovery period? Did the recoil cause problems etc?

Any insight from experience would be appreciated!!

Did the exact same thing but two heavy pregnant ewes jumped on the tail gate while loading. Had the ramp supported with just my left hand. Sounded like bubble wrap popping and left me with a bicep under my armpit.
Surgery a few days later and about an 80% recovery. Took a few months to get there with some intense physio but outstanding results considering. No problem with shooting but the arm is not as strong as it was and probably never will be.