1st decision, compound or recurve. One is real simple but a little wider, the other more front end heavy and a bit narrower. I've owned both and can't say the width thing is as big as made out to be. You can easily do all your own maintenance on a recurve, they never need a bow monkey. The exceptions on the weight thing are the RDT's like the Scorpyd.

In recent years, major players in the compound game brought out their own recurves to try and tap into that market which has been and will continue to be dominated by Excal w/ their 26 year history.

Excals USA warranty program is a one man show, Danny Miller and his son in Oh. One call does it all, no secretaries, no RA numbers ect. Free advice willingly given too at [740] 483-2312.

A rope c0cker will cut the effort in half by mechanical advantage and help center the string which is critical to accuracy. If that won't work w/ your injury, you will need a crank type. Excal has one that goes on and off the buttstock, 10 pt has one permanently mounted and is considered the king of the c0ckers by most. $89 vs $200, $250 mounted on Excal.

Have fun!