Shoulder injury...

[Doegirl]

I'm embarrassed to admit it. But my 82nd is too much bow for me. I have been battling chronic pain in my left shoulder for the better part of 3 years now. I've got rid of a Parker Challenger and a Bowtech BlackKnight due to pain. Actually, I've had issues with my Equalizer, as well. And it's happening with this bow
Since I've been shooting it, I have a near constant deep dull ache in my shoulder. My shoulder pops when I move my arm in a circular motion. Another thing I've noticed over the last few years is some limitation in the range of motion in my left shoulder.
I can't afford to have an injured shoulder. My work requires occasional heavy lifting and lots of manual dexterity. Walking around like a gimp is not an option.
While I leave my 82nd alone, I'll have to consider my options. I'm sure I'll end up getting either a lighter poundage bow with a not so mean of a draw cycle or a crossbow. And get my shoulder checked out.

[akdd]

Dropping down in weight and being able to continue shooting is better than continuing to shoot the heavier weights and damaging you shoulder. I have found out that the older you get the more you pay for the things you done when you were younger. Besides a lot of critters have been killed with lower weight bows. Take care of your self.

[BT]

I had the same thing happen years and years ago when I shot heavy weights
Being of medium build myself and shooting bows that were high for men of large stature was the reason for the partial dislocation I suffered.
To this day I cant draw over ninety pounds and it hurts to do that

Drop the weight Doegirl.
It just isn't worth it

Speed is what matters and you dont need weight to get speed.
In fact...in many cases, building an arrow around weight will rob much of the wight added which necessitated that arrow in the first place

Look at the M.M. V.S. K.E. thread.
Stilllearning is shooting a 49# bow that will smoke anything that he is ever going to encounter.

My personal opinion is that anything over 50# is an up hill battle.
What I mean to say is that the simple bow weight to arrow weight ratio will allow most any bow (of the same design) to compete, regardless of weight differences between 2 bows.
Before someone jumps on that statement....
What I can say is that (at best) a 10# spread between two bows of the same draw length will have such a minimum spread in speed differences that what there may be will not be reflected on the target butt in a meaningful way.
This is due to the need to increase the arrow spine (and therefore weight) in order to maintain proper tune.

What x-tra bow weight allows anyone to do is to increase arrow weight while maintaining the same speed.
While speed is king....speed with weight is a better king.
That is the only reason to go in the direction of added bow weight in my observation.

It bears repeating that between both my sons, every animal that is tougher than a deer and bigger than a deer has fallen fast to their 40# bows.....out to distances exceeding 40 yards
I still have the video of a 45yrd. running shot on a ram by my oldest boy with a 40# Bowtech Rascal
That arrow got full penetration and it was due to the broadhead and arrow speed....not bow weight

[nkybuck]

I had this same problem about 3 years a go and just took the summer off. It really sucked but it's what I had to do I was shooting 3 spot rounds a week and a couple of 3D rounds and it caught up with me. Lighter poundage can help but that shoulder has to heal. So take it easy on it.

[Buckshot06]

I hope your shoulder recovers and the pain is just something that will heal in time.
Surgery on your shoulder would suck.

[ghost]

I had constant pain in both shoulders. Surgery on the right helped but when I tried to go back to a compound bow the pain returned. My doctor said hunt with a crossbow. Now the pain is gone in both shoulders and I can enjoy my hunting.

Ghost

[BT]

May 26, 2009 20:21:47 GMT -5 ghost said:

I had constant pain in both shoulders. Surgery on the right helped but when I tried to go back to a compound bow the pain returned. My doctor said hunt with a crossbow. Now the pain is gone in both shoulders and I can enjoy my hunting.

Ghost

And this is why I say that the crossbow should be legal everywhere

[Deleted]

I'm With these guys DG, drop the poundage down,don't be embarrassed, nothing at all wrong with shooting something comfortable for you.Not to mention shooting a comfortable weight IE; not hurting your shoulder will likely have a positive impact on your accurracy.
An injury of this type could take time to heal, and you might need to take a break(I know it'd suck), I know you're in the medical feild right?Have you seen the doc about this?That might be a good Idea, trust me ignoring the pain won't help.
Are you a righty or a lefty? If your a righty something else to consider along with dropping draw weight, might also be dropping the physical weight of the bow, the heavier it is the more stress it adds.Don't belive me? Try holding your bow straight out in front of you for five minutes straight, you'll feel it.Just a thought I feel gets overlooked.
If you feel like you need more draw weight after your shoulder heals, I recommend weight training,slowly building up your arms,shoulders,back and chest.Most folks force themselves to shoot too high a poundage IMO without training their bodys for it,thus causeing problems.Myself for instance I could probably draw and shoot a 90+ pound bow pretty easily, but limit myself to between 65-70 because it's comfortable for me and don't hurt.
Just my thoughts, get well,
Ster

[Doegirl]

I'm waiting for my new insurance to kick in on June 1st, before I get an MRI. The docs at the employee clinic assured me that I did a number on my shoulder. Just how badly we'll have to wait until June. This will be probably be a crossbow season for me. The 82nd is sold and I'm already eyeballing this. It's a Strykeforce, and it flings a 425grain arrow about 385fps :

[BT]

That strikeforce is the bomb
It's been a real up hill battle DG.
You have to take care of that shoulder because your physical condition is just too important in relation to your job.