Shooting after neck surgery

[Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372]

I've just hit three weeks after having C5-C6-C7 fusion surgery.  My surgeon has given me the green light to begin shooting again, which I find unique as most of the guidance I see recommends waiting for months. If anyone else on the site has had this or a similar surgery, I would be interested in hearing about their rehab procedures and what was recommended.

 

Thanks!

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

I don’t think the doc was thinking of six or more stages of 10-10-5 .

[Perro Del Diablo]

Your Dr. May have cleared you as he is comfortable enough it won't do damage. However the recoil, position and movements may irritate your pain. I'd recommend based on my experience go to range shoot few rounds see how it feels before doing full match.

[Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372]

I'm pretty much most concerned about the shotgun.  Maybe hip shots are in order..

[Eyesa Horg]

19 minutes ago, Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372 said:

I'm pretty much most concerned about the shotgun.  Maybe hip shots are in order..

Consider BP for shotgun then.

Around 35-40gr by weight of real BP 2F under a 7/8oz. Shot load. Pink wad. 

More of a push than a punch. Worked for me after shoulder surgery.

[Mister Badly]

1 hour ago, Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372 said:

I'm pretty much most concerned about the shotgun.  Maybe hip shots are in order..

Did someone say hip shots?

 

[Kid Rich]

It's better after surgery than before. I shoot like that MR Badley feller. If you shoot from the shoulder you can easily use lightened loads in your sg, even for WB. I have been loading sg shells in the 13g range with 3/4 oz shot for WB. I use 700X Alliant X-Lite or Red dot. All seem about the same and take down the kds.

kR

[Eyesa Horg]

1 hour ago, Kid Rich said:

It's better after surgery than before. I shoot like that MR Badley feller. If you shoot from the shoulder you can easily use lightened loads in your sg, even for WB. I have been loading sg shells in the 13g range with 3/4 oz shot for WB. I use 700X Alliant X-Lite or Red dot. All seem about the same and take down the kds.

kR

I've been loading 11gr. Of RedDot under 3/4oz for Ellie and they are working good for her bad shoulder.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Suggestion, do a stage in the morning, if not feeling ill-affects at lunch time do a stage in the afternoon.

[Mister Badly]

I've been shooting 1145 fps shells from the hip. I wrap my trigger finger with rubber tape  at/below the second knuckle in case I have a light grip on the stock. The trigger guard can bite. 

[Pat Riot]

3 weeks?

 

There is no way I would tempt fate. 
If you’re doing rehab and building the muscles back for 2 or 3 months then maybe, but I would not push it. 
 

I don’t mean to be a downer, but if you re-injure the surgical area your insurance may not cover any rework. 

[Blackwater 53393]

I had C4, C5, C6 fused in late (December) 2019. I shot my first match after surgery in February of 2020. BUT!!     I shot the match Outlaw!

 

I don’t think I would try it any sooner and shouldering the shotgun would probably be out of the question that soon.

 

 

[Pat Riot]

I just found this image that I thought was interesting. It seems every one I find has too much other info or not enough, like numbering. 
 

 

I do find myself very lucky in that I had 2 surgeons in CA tell me I will eventually need to have L1-L5 fused if pain got to be too much. The Pain Clinic at WVU has really helped me. I still get pain. Pain that Ibuprofen can handle, but it’s nothing like it was. I had to do a series 2 of injections then they did Nerve Ablation. Basically an injection that burns the nerves and reduces pain. 
I can actually bend over and pick up brass now.