Microdiscectomy & Air Gun Shooting??

[josixpack]

Hello...

I知 having a Microdiscectomy tomorrow to fix a herniated disk in my back L5 S1.  I値l certainly ask for permission from my doctor before shooting but was curious if anyone else has had one and if they could continue shooting afterwards or had to wait up to 6 weeks or more.
 
I知 sure cocking a break barrel requiring more then 10lbs of effort will be out of question but I知 thinking my lightweight, no recoil, co2 and PCP guns sitting at my bench rest might be fine.

I'm going to need something to keep my sanity!  I hate just sitting around and get board easily.

Anyone??

[darren]

Not the same as back surgery, but my Dr told me no shooting for 4 weeks when I shattered my finger.....I shot a field target match 2 days later and the Western States piston championship a week later.....do what you have to do to keep your sanity, just don't overdo it and hurt yourself.

My
.02

[Tweeter]

I actually had this same surgery a couple of summers ago and I would recommend giving it a few weeks.  You should feel pretty good after a week though and most of the pain from the surgery will be gone.  One thing to mention, sitting will be quite painful for some time, a lot more so than walking/standing.  Sitting compresses your disks and puts the most pressure on your back.  But as long as you can do it and it doesn't seem to bother you I say go for it.

[wahoowad]

I would be worried about leaning over/down to engage the stock, then straightening back up after each shot. At least that is the back and forth I do and sometimes it hurts my chronically sore back.

Good luck with your surgery!

[Sfttailrdr46]

Having L 3,4 and L 4,5 herniated discs, my suggestion is listen to your body  and follow the doctors guidelines for at least a couple of weeks

[Browning Guy]

I can't speak specifically on that injury but I have to agree with sfttailrdr. Follow docs guidelines but LISTEN to your body! If it says NO... then don't... there are other days...IF ya don't screw it up today!
 I am constantly surprised what we shooters will do to keep on shooting. I once was in a clinic for follow up on a work injury. In came a young guy, his left hand all bloody and wrapped in cloth from a worksite accident. He had got it smashed between 2 pieces of steel. He was on his cellphone talking to a buddy to borrow a pistol so he could shoot one handed since as he said..."I'm gonna be able to go deer hunting,opening day, I won't have to work" This was 2 days before season opener, I just shook my head and grinned!

[TheLakeRat]

Ive had that surgery and i would not recommend using a break barrel air rifle.

I only took it easy for a few days and then went back to work and regretted it. ( not that i will admit that to my wife)

But while i was sitting in the arm chair being bored of watching TV. I started leaving the back door open and shooting Grackles that were stealing the dog food. I have a break barrel Ruger and after shooting just a few times that day i regretted it. The next day i just used my bolt action 22 with subsonic rounds and had a blast all day. In fact probably one of the funnest days of shooting in years. (I will admit the pain pills and a bottle of something that tasted like apple might have helped)

It boiled down to the act of cocking the break barrel caused me to tense up my whole body. That's what causes the stress on your back and neck and not the light recoil of the gun.

Be careful and play it safe. your body will appreciate it.

[anuthabubba]

I知 sure cocking a break barrel requiring more then 10lbs of effort will be out of question but I知 thinking my lightweight, no recoil, co2 and PCP guns sitting at my bench rest might be fine.

Anyone??

Maybe after a few days, if your position at the rest is altered to a head-up style. Couldn't see bending over to look down the barrel being of any benefit to your freshly knifed back. Maybe could wear some kind of a lumbar support belt/brace to help prevent 'accidental' movement.

Got any Co2/PCP airpistols? Can hold these up and in close to align the sites/shoot while sitting straight up.