I hit a mogul wrong and did serious damage to my shoulder a few years ago. I didnt do anything about it, which was probably a poor decision, but its fine now. I did finish bowling the season after, and it hurt like  $#@!. I was scared about doing any surgery because a friend of mine said his aunt had gotten rotator cuff surgery and it never healed properly. A different injury I guess, but it worked out OK.

I did not break my back, so I did not answer your first post.  I did have a ruptured disc that started to press on the nerves and caused severe leg pain so that I had trouble walking/standing.  Had surgery to remove the rupture.  After surgery, the doctor told me not to do anything strenuous and avoid lifting until the stitches healed.  After that, when I started physical therapy, I asked him about bowling and he said I could start bowling again but with a light ball.  I bowled with a 13# ball for about a month or so then was allowed to return to 15#.

I would talk more with the doctor and follow his suggestions.  He's seen those type of injuries before and would know what you can and should not do.  Patients who do not follow their doctor's suggestions are usually the ones who have the most problems afterwards.

Thank you for relating your experiences.  Without question it will be a topic of discussion with the Dr when I go for my follow-up appointment/x-ray in early march.  Sounds like my thinking is on the right track though.  I think I will avoid selling any more of my son's cast-offs until I get official word.  Then the switch would only cost me plug and re-drill.