Shooting Large Caliber Rifles (.375 H&H and Up) Following Shoulder Replacement Surgery

[Tim Decker]

I need some advice from qualified people - othopedic surgeons or those who have had their shooting shoulder replaced - about the advisability of shooting large caliber rifles. I had my right shoulder replaced about a month ago, and am in physical therapy now. I have asked all of the orthopedic doctors about whether I would ever be able to shoot my large caliber rifles (.375 H&H Magnum, .416 Rigby, and .470 Nitro Express) again. I am meeting with the surgeon who performed the operation in early December, and so far I have not received anything resembling a definitive answer. I would appreciate input about whether or not my hunting days for Cape buffalo, hippo, or elephant are over. If they are, then so be it. If not, what cautionary steps do I need to take. I do not anticipate being able to shoot anything until at least six months post-op by the way.

Thanks

 

[Surgeon1]

As A General/Trauma surgeon, there are so many variables that it's very hard to give a definitive answer.
A lot would depend on the type of surgery you had (true total vs reverse total). Also your type of implant (steel, titanium, ceramic composite). Your recovery and resumption of range of motion, strength, and lack of pain. Most Surgeons are not hunters, shooters, and even fewer know anything
about guns.
I personally face having my shooting shoulder replaced and as a result I've taken every opportunity to
research, quire every Ortho and esp shoulder surgeon I know or encounter. And bottom line is very unclear except there are a lot of unknowns. One thing is clear that strength building preop and
aggressive postop rehab is essential. Setting aside 2-4 hours every day to rehab for a year even on your own is a commitment that pays off big. Those are the things to discuss with your shoulder surgeon with a lot of emphasis on your goals and their assistance in meeting the goals, NOT just a pat on the back that "you're doing OK"
Is it possible to progress to shooting rifles that have 50+ft/lb recoil.......YES as I have several patients and friends who have successfully done just that. Good Luck and work hard to achieve your plan!

 

[RR 314]

Here is a weak journal article that really says nothing. .​

​

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• Abstract
• Section snippets
• References (19)
• Cited by (1)

Seminars in Arthroplasty: JSES​

Volume 31, Issue 1, May 2021, Pages 184-189

Firearms can be safely used following shoulder arthroplasty​

Author links open overlay panelCarson M. Rider MD, Matthew N. Fournier MD, Kirk M. Thompson MD, Frederick M. Azar MD, Tyler J. Brolin MD, Thomas W. Throckmorton MD
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Abstract​

Introduction​

Many patients with shoulder arthroplasty enjoy hobbies that require the use of firearms; however, there is a paucity of literature regarding firearm use after arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients can safely engage in shooting sports and/or hunting after shoulder replacement.

Methods​

Retrospective review identified 473 patients with anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Patients were contacted to complete a survey to assess their participation in hunting and/or shooting sports: Type of firearm (shoulder-mounted or handgun), frequency of firearm use, purposes for which firearms were used (recreation, competition, hunting), pain level, limitations during firearm use, and shooting-related complications with the shoulder replacement. Medical recordswere reviewed to correlate any reported complications due to firearm use.

Results​

Of the 473 patients identified, 245 (52%) completed the firearm survey; 61 (25%) resumed firearm use after surgery, 42 using shoulder-mounted firearms (27 on the operative extremity) and 53 using handguns. Recreational shooting (69%) and hunting (54%) were the primary reasons for firearm use. Eleven patients reported shooting over 500 rounds per year after surgery, with no increased limitations or pain with greater frequency of firearm use. Fifty-two patients reported no or mild pain when shooting, and 49 patients reported no limitations in their ability to shoot. There were no complications related to firearm use reported by patients or in the medical record.

Conclusion​

Patients can safely engage in the use of a variety of firearms after shoulder arthroplastywithout pain or limitations or shooting-related arthroplasty complications.

Level of evidence​

Level IV; Case Series

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Section snippets​

Methods​

After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database identified 473 patients who had primary anatomic or reverse TSA and had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up (average 3.4 years, range 2 to 7 years) Of these, 245 patients (52%) responded to a preliminary survey, with 61 patients (25%) reporting firearm use after surgery. This group included 54 males and 7 females, ranging in age from 43 to 84 years of age (median age

Shoulder-mounted firearm use​

Forty-two patients (57%; 61 shoulders, 33 TSA and 28 RTSA) reported the use of shoulder-mounted firearms, (rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader) (Table II). Of all shoulder-mounted firearm users, 27 (64%, 14 TSA and 13 RTSA) reported mounting the firearm on their operative extremity; 34 patients reported shotgun use and 36 patients reported rifle use. Heavy shoulder-mounted firearms, including shotguns 12 gauge or higher and rifles above .30 caliber, were used by 33 and 23 patients, respectively.

Discussion​

Our study found that 25% of patients returned to firearm use following shoulder arthroplasty, and that 80% of those were able to continue using firearms with no limitation in function, including 64% who fired shoulder-mounted firearms on the operative side. Of all patients using firearms after surgery, 85% reported no or only minimal pain with use, and 87% reported no change or improved ability, with only 13% reporting diminished ability. These results are consistent with reported return to

Conclusion​

Based on the results of this study, we conclude that patients are able to continue to safely enjoy hobbies that involve firearm use following shoulder arthroplasty, with return rates comparable to sports such as golf and lower extremity activities. There were no shooting-related arthroplasty complications regardless of the type of arthroplasty that was performed, and there were no significant shooting limitations postoperatively. Therefore, patients can be counseled that they can continue to

Disclaimer​

No funding was reported for this study.
Frederick M. Azar discloses payments for consulting from 98point6, Myoscience, and Zimmer.
Thomas W. Throckmorton discloses payments for IP royalties from Exactech and Zimmer Biomet and for consultant activities from Zimmer Biomet.
The other authors, their immediate families, and any research foundations with which they are affiliated have not received any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.

References​

• J Christensen et al.
  

  Total shoulder arthroplasty in the athlete and active individual​

  Clin Sports Med​

  (2018)
• JS Day et al.
  

  Prevalence and projections of total shoulder and elbow arthroplasty in the United States to 2015​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2010)
• DJ Johnson et al.
  

  Return to play after shoulder replacement surgery: what is realistic and what does the evidence tell us​

  Clin Sports Med​

  (2018)
• RCT Koorevaar et al.
  

  The development of the patient expectations of shoulder surgery survey​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2017)
• JN Liu et al.
  

  Sports after shoulder arthroplasty: a comparative analysis of hemiarthroplasty and reverse total shoulder replacement​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2016)
• TA Roberson et al.
  

  Outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty in patients younger than 65 years: a systematic review​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2017)
• WW Schairer et al.
  

  National utilization of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in the United States​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2015)
• JD Walters et al.
  

  Younger patients report similar activity levels to older patients after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2016)
• PC Zarkadas et al.
  

  Patient reported activities after shoulder replacement: total and hemiarthroplasty​

  J Shoulder Elbow Surg​

  (2011)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (1)​

• Return to Outdoorsman Sports After Primary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty​

  2025, Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
  

The University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences Institutional Review Board approved this study (study no. 17-05153-XM).
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© 2020 American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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[Tim Decker]

As A General/Trauma surgeon, there are so many variables that it's very hard to give a definitive answer.
A lot would depend on the type of surgery you had (true total vs reverse total). Also your type of implant (steel, titanium, ceramic composite). Your recovery and resumption of range of motion, strength, and lack of pain. Most Surgeons are not hunters, shooters, and even fewer know anything
about guns.
I personally face having my shooting shoulder replaced and as a result I've taken every opportunity to
research, quire every Ortho and esp shoulder surgeon I know or encounter. And bottom line is very unclear except there are a lot of unknowns. One thing is clear that strength building preop and
aggressive postop rehab is essential. Setting aside 2-4 hours every day to rehab for a year even on your own is a commitment that pays off big. Those are the things to discuss with your shoulder surgeon with a lot of emphasis on your goals and their assistance in meeting the goals, NOT just a pat on the back that "you're doing OK"

Thank you for the quick response! I had a total reverse shoulder replacement. I do not know the type of implant the surgeon used, so I will find out and give you the answer at soon as I know it. To your point about surgeons not being shooters, hunters, or knowing anything about it, that is what I am finding out. The last doctor I saw was (I think) a general practitioner, and he is the only MD if have encountered so far that shoots. Even he was not able to give me a definitive answer, other than to tell me that I was a year to a year-and-a-half away from being able to start shooting again.

I had been lifting weights with a personal trainer until last March when my rotator cuff totally gave it up. I am being religious about doing my home rehab exercises, and will be in physical therapy until mid-January. My intention is to ask the surgeon what my weight training limitations will be once I get out of physical therapy so I can start working out again with my trainer to regain as much strength as possible. Once I finally meet the surgeon who performed the operation, I will discuss my goals in detail with him so I can develop a plan.

As an aside, even though I am far from qualified to offer someone with a medical degree and years of experience advice, my counsel is not to put it off any longer. I had a "massively torn" rotator cuff that left my clavicle resting directly on my humerus, and I can already feel the difference three weeks post-op. I hope that you have the same result!

TRD

 

[RLD]

On the off chance they suggest you should not shot big bores in the future, do consider learning to shoot from the other side.

It’s not as hard as you might imagine and very good for your brain health.

Good luck either way.

 

[dhoover]

I had a badly broken right arm last fall from a bike vs car accident (i know exercise kills). Not the same thing as a shoulder replacement but similar. I got a plate and 7 screws. It's amazing how much recoil your hand and arm take shooting a firearm. I did kill a great buck shooting left handed but no way could I shoot my 375. After rehab and many months the trigger guard was hitting my fingers so hard it was breaking the skin. I got a big bore Can from silencer central. It really took the kick out of it and I can now shoot my 375 with ease. A Can might work for you.

 

[Tim Decker]

I had a badly broken right arm last fall from a bike vs car accident (i know exercise kills). Not the same thing as a shoulder replacement but similar. I got a plate and 7 screws. It's amazing how much recoil your hand and arm take shooting a firearm. I did kill a great buck shooting left handed but no way could I shoot my 375. After rehab and many months the trigger guard was hitting my fingers so hard it was breaking the skin. I got a big bore Can from silencer central. It really took the kick out of it and I can now shoot my 375 with ease. A Can might work for you.

Sadly, I live in California where suppressors are totally illegal, so the option of putting a can on my .375 is not a possibility. I will figure out a way!

 

[358 Norma]

I need some advice from qualified people - othopedic surgeons or those who have had their shooting shoulder replaced - about the advisability of shooting large caliber rifles. I had my right shoulder replaced about a month ago, and am in physical therapy now. I have asked all of the orthopedic doctors about whether I would ever be able to shoot my large caliber rifles (.375 H&H Magnum, .416 Rigby, and .470 Nitro Express) again. I am meeting with the surgeon who performed the operation in early December, and so far I have not received anything resembling a definitive answer. I would appreciate input about whether or not my hunting days for Cape buffalo, hippo, or elephant are over. If they are, then so be it. If not, what cautionary steps do I need to take. I do not anticipate being able to shoot anything until at least six months post-op by the way.

Thanks

Tim, you could get yourself a Ruger African 375 Ruger with the muzzle break to use until you are comfortable with the rifles you own now.

 

[Marcus bock]

My wife and I both had total reverse shoulders less than two years ago (I'm 75 yrs.) . Her Dr (different than mine) said go back to normal activities after 9 months-ish. My doctor said, forget sports and shooting...you can not redo your shoulder at this point if you mess it up. I hunted buffalo with a .416 cal rifle about 11 months after my surgery. No rifle suppressor/brake. No problems. I have two hunts scheduled for 2026. That being said...I told my PH that I would shoot off of sticks where my body could handle some of the recoil....but not off of a table...like when sighting in. I am also playing sports again. Don't know what that says about you and shooting, but ........ my experience. Life is too short to sit in a cubical and play it safe.....but use common sense (although my wife says I have non).

 

[Tim Decker]

Marcus, this is very useful information. I am 71 years old, so I am right in your neighborhood for not wanting to have any more shoulder surgery. I also have a .416 Rigby that I dearly love, as well as a .470 Nitro Express and a .375 H&H. Bench shooting is always painful, shoulder surgery or not. I have a Caldwell Lead Sled that helps immensely with taming recoil - which will come in handy as I do load development for the .470. After that is done (carefully!) I will shoot off sticks just as you recommended. I figure that I am anywhere from a year to a year-and a half from being able to shoot any of the big rifles since I want my shoulder to be completely healed.

I will use what little common sense I have, believe me! (I think your wife and mine are in complete agreement about how much we have.)

Thank you again for your input. It is very useful.