Last week I had major back surgery. Fuse L2 to L3, disk removed and I think some other clean up in that area to give the nerves more freedom.

The doc and therapist said no archery, nothing to go along with no bending lifting or twisting and 10 lbs lifting max.

I was kind of surprised at that as through the last two years that at time I had sharp intense pain shooting my bows never was trigger for any additional pain. Sure, pulling arrows could light me up but not drawing a bow.

If anyone has been down that road please chime in tell me what your experiences were and what I might expect.

I am not trying to discount my surgeon but in some cases like archery our doctors may not really know the effect of what we do.

BTW, recovery is going well and I am walking miles a day.

Thanks in advance Greg

had back surgery a while back was told to take it easy for a couple of weeks my guy never said no archery just don't lift anything heavy for that time period i did alot of walking also

the bone has to from between the vertebrae to fuse and wanna let heal

follow their advice

I think getting a second or third opinion is a good thing but I think this is the wrong place to do that. Everyone is unique and you are far better off listening to someone that can review your records and images than getting anecdotal advice from folks here.

He only told you no archery if he knew you were an archer. :) Listen to the doctor, not folks on an internet forum. He knows what you just went through and what it takes to allow it to heal. After you get better, then address the archery thing.

Pretty much agree.Take it slow and follow advice and let it heal more until you go back to the doctor for a an updated opinion.

I injured my L-1,L-2 and L-3 years ago.I did not shoot for quite awhile.I never got surgery.

The one thing that happened from not shooting for quite awhile was my bows felt alot heavier.I was shooting heavy bows back then.

When I resumed shooting and was overbowed essentially I did develop poor shooting habits that got ingrained and really messed me up!!!

Looking back I should have started shooting again with a much lighter bow and worked my way up to my regular bows.So keep that in mind when you start up again.

Best of luck with your recovery!

Long ago, I had 4 spinal surgeries in 9 weeks. The last three were not planned. It was a tragedy of errors. They placed no restrictions on me because they told me that I was going to die. They were wrong about that too!

I ended up doing my own rehab. My back has never stopped hurting. The spinal problems now cause severe pain and problems with my legs. Some days are tolerable and other days are worse.

I wish you the best with your rehab. You are already past the bad point - you are out of the hospital! Go gradually and you will do fine.

Best wishes!

I had back surgery 43 years ago. Hard work and daily back exercises allowed me to shoot bows after Docter OK'ed it. I have not shot a bow since June because I also had extensive back surgery a second time. Just waiting until doctor says I can shoot again. I would bet you will shoot again.

I had this surgery 10 years ago. When I asked the Dr. if it was okay to shoot my bows, he said "you know, nobody has ever asked me that." Then he said, "yes, go ahead." I had no issues with shooting but stringing them caused pain, so I started stringing them on an old compound press. Lots of walking too. I was on the bike trail daily. Best of luck with this and follow the advice you are given.

I had titanium rods/cables to brace the L3-4 area about 9 years back. After a lot of pain [which I had been enduring already] the healing period has to run its course. Walking helped me to condition up to start along with 25/30 # bows when appropriate. Never did get back to all those short high 50---60 # weights anymore and sold so many nice ones. It did teach me to stand upright and hence gained some on my draw length so I am more efficiently making 45 # work well for me and to this day anything around 47,48,49 # I consider a heavy bow. That was my journey ..

Mine is higher up c 1,2,3 was in neck brace 2 months for bone graft to take hold after that I could do as I wanted. Going to wait tell spring to try to shoot again . Still not walking much.lots of nerve damage. Listen to the doctor he knows.

S1, L5, L4 , L3 extruded cartilage, herniated discs, ruptured disc S1 L5 bone on bone, L5 L4 bone on bone. Do as surgeon instructs. Stringing a bow = bad idea.I have permanent nerve damage. 2 surgeries and 10 months later I am now shooting again. I was told 5lbs max lifting weight first 6 weeks after each surgery then 15lbs for 6 weeks no twisting or bending throughout. Shooting a bow is like starting all over again. Good thing I have a #25 recurve and a #32 longbow I made a while back. Please! Do as your surgeon instructs! You will get back to shooting, it just takes patience.

About 15 years ago, I had a double compound fracture in my forearm. The breaks were longitudinally centered and on my drawing arm. Immediately after the break, I reset the bones, splinted, and stabilized my arm. (Passed out from the pain on the first two tries.)

I explained to the very experienced Orthopaedic surgeon that archery and bowhunting are lifelong passions. He said that I would never again draw a bow. I told him then I have the wrong surgeon. He came back later with a plan to plate and reinforce the to- be rejoined bones.

Barry Wensel had a similar broken arm. He suggested that I take significant doses of calcium every day during the healing process. Since the break was so extreme, I took a vacation from shooting any bows. Then I began with a very light bow and slowly moved up. Recovery was fully successful.

Patience grasshopper

Listen to your doc and therapist. Their advice is specific to you.

Thank you for all of the replys. The more information I get the better. My list of questions is growing. I certainly don't expect to start with my hunting bows and stringing is with out a doubt out. As soon as I get a dim green light I intend to start test driving bows for my grand daughter. :)

I had L1-L5 fused five years ago. It took me 4-5 months to be able to shoot a bow. It took another 5-6 months before I could pull my arrows. Took another 9 months before I was good to do most anything. Now five years later I need the joints both above and below fused because I did way too much.

It is almost a certainty that the vertebrae above and below a fusion go bad and need to be fused.

And then………..

I had my L5 S 1 fused and have titanium bars and screws till in my lower back. It took me about 6/8 months before I would even attempt to draw a30# bow but over time I got better. Doc told me I’ll be out of work for 6 months but I had no income after 6 weeks and used up all my sick time and vacation days so I headed back to work with a brace for a long time. I am a maintenance man and had to make money to feed my family.

Keefers I too am a maintenance man. Worked for the same boss now for 36 years. I went back to work after six weeks but basically didn't do much for a year. Two summers ago I removed 28 trees from my front yard and felt great doing it. Now I'm paying the price for acting like I didn't have 2 rods, ten screws and four cages in my lumbar spine. Really having a hard time doing my job now.

Listen to the Doctor.

12/17/21 and 1/14/22 I had C2-T1 then C1/- T2 surgery. 13 screws and 2 rods. 15# weight limit. I was told by my surgeon,my therapists,and my orthopedist 2-2 1/2 years to heal. Then start to work on pulling a bow.

Crossbow time.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here