Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has ever broken any bones in their hand and, if so, how it affected their shooting after the cast was taken off. 2 weeks ago I sustained a broken 5th metacarpal in my right hand which is the hand I draw my bow with. I am only supposed to have the cast on for a total of 4 weeks, so I get it taken off on August 13th which means I have a good bit of time before the early season opens up here in NJ on Sept. 9th. However, I am afraid that the motion of drawing my bow with a wrist strap or thumb release will agitate my hand and hinder my shooting forcing me to switch over to a crossbow for the beginning of the season. I am going to listen to the doc and not rush back into shooting, I have many other hunting seasons ahead of me, but all I can think about is getting outside and putting reps in. Just hoping to get some input from anyone with some knowledge on this to put my mind at ease.
Messed up my left hand back in '04. Broke the 4th and 5th metacarpals as well as the 4th and 5th proximal phalanges. I waited a couple of weeks after the cast came off to start shooting again. The only issue I have is not being able to grip things as tight anymore but that worked out to my benefit, no more torquing the bow..
When you did decide to start shooting again did you experience any pain in your hand, and is there any pain now? Sitting at home just waiting for the cast to come off has me thinking of all the worst case scenarios. Mine was only the 5th metacarpal so I do not think it was as severe as your injury.
I can't help you with your hand, but if it's any consolation, I can barely draw my bow one time 4 months after rotator surgery. I'm still out of work, but hoping to be good by the end of August. You get your cast off on my birthday!
Your draw hand is better than your bow grip hand. If your using a wrist release I think you’ll be just fine. If it was other way around I’d say you may be in a little pain.
I tore a ligament in my thumb taking a piece of bone with it in my bow hand, had surgery and could almost shoot with the cast on. I don't remember any pain after getting the cast removed. I think it took some time just to get the cobwebs out. Overall, I think I was back at it within the week of removing the cast. If it was your pinky finger, I think you'll be just fine.
100% this. I broke my right fifth metacarpal back when I still shot righty, and it never bothered me. Don't do anything earlier than the doctors say, I rebroke mine before it was fully healed and it still hurts time to time over 20 years later. It ended up kind of healing at a bit of a downward angle which now that I shoot (pull) lefty when I draw makes for a little bit of pain. Nothing I can't deal with even on a 3-D shoot, but it's there especially if I grip too tight.
Broke my middle and ring fingers on my release hand in early May 2015. Ended up not shooting the bow until late August that year. I use a thumb trigger and back tension release exclusively, so I talked with my Ortho about what I wanted to do and followed his guidance closely. Do the physical therapy they recommend, and listen to your Doc and what your hand is telling you, you'll be just fine.
I don't know about you guys and gals, but i`m hurtin every day, getting old!! Lol take it easy after surgery, you don't wanna wreck what the doctors fixed. when your feeling good, you'll be shooting your bow, trust me, I know what i`m talking about!
Thanks everyone for the input. Less than 2 weeks until the cast comes off and I get the news from the doc, ill post an update then.
My shoulder hurt I couldn’t hold my bow for couple month, got inflammation medication, starting going better and I ok to shoot my bow now with a little pain Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A little different than you but I crushed both bones in my wrist in 6 places in January and had 11 pins and a plate put in. It took me four months to be able to shoot a little. I just had another surgery July 18th and I can just now shoot again but I still have a little pain. Good luck and that is what crossbows are for if needed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well it all ended well. The cast came off 9:30 am on Monday, I was shooting before noon. Was a bit sore for a day or so but now drawing the bow does not bother the hand at all. Thank you all for your helpful input, now I can get to work hanging stands
Give it as much of a chance to heal as you can man Sent from my SM-G892A using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Believe I’ve got y’all beat. August 24, 1997. Back to shooting in February of ‘98. Follow your doctor and PT instructions.
