4 months after labral tear surgery

by Debbie
(California)

I had surgery to repair a slap tear, bicep tendon reattachment and decompression 4 months ago. I still have quite a bit of pain and haven't had a decent night's sleep since the surgery. My range of motion is limited, especially in external rotation. I do the stretches and go to physical therapy. Is this part of the normal recovery and will it continue much longer?

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4 months after labral tear surgery

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Nov 08, 2008
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labral repair
by: Bart - SII

Most of the time this type of surgery is feeling better after 4 months - motion restriction is common, especially the last 5-10 degrees, but continued like you are describing is not.

I would talk to your doctor and therapists and find out from them exactly what they think is causing your continued pain and problems. They should be able to give you specifics - muscle weakness, what they saw inside the shoulder that could be causing this continued pain, etc.

It does take quite awhile to recover from this type of procedure, but you should be seeing some improvement.

Bart

Nov 12, 2008
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More surgery
by: Debbie

Thank you so much for your resonse as I called my surgeon and made an appointment. I saw him the other day and it was finally acknowledged that something was missed during the last surgery and that now I need surgery to repair a full thickness rotator cuff tear.
I have a few questions now. I don't have full range of motion back yet and wonder if this will negatively impact the recovery from the surgery.
Since it's only been four months since the last surgery will this be a problem? Will the rehab be more difficult? Will it eliminate the pain and restore strength? I have asked these questions but the responses are somewhat vague so a second thought would be appreciated. I'm really nervous about going through this again and was wondering how any of your patients who had a second surgery so soon fared? Thanks so much for your feedback.

Nov 13, 2008
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rotator cuff repair
by: Bart - SII

It shouldn't be an issue with regards to healing having a second surgery 4 months later. Your labrum and biceps should be healed well enough to allow for the RC repair.

The lack of motion could be an issue, however, that really is dependent upon what is causing your motion restriction. If it is due to pain and weakness, then the next surgery should address much of this. If it is due to adhesions or capsular restrictions, that can likely be taken care of during the procedure as well.

The rehabilitation after a RC repair is similar to the labral repair / biceps tenodesis procedure. You will likely be immobilized in a sling for several weeks - restricted from any type of active motion of the arm so as not to stress the repair site. Then your rehab will focus on shoulder range of motion, strengthening, and endurance.

It will be another lengthy recovery, but it should be better in that they will have addressed the problems and you shouldn't have the continued pain because the cause has been found and fixed.

Bart

Dec 29, 2008
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I had the same surgery
by: Anonymous

I had a subacromial decompression and a labral slap tear type 2 surgery a little less than 3 months ago. there is still pain where the slap tear was repaired. I have very good range and am doing a lot of different exercises including weights. The first two and a half months my range of movement was not good at all. MY physical therapist was concerned and had me slide my arm up the wall in front of me and also to the side. This made a big difference for me. It felt like something in my sshoulder broke up and my range of motion was much greater. I did a lot of stretching exercises twice a day and that seeemed to help also. I am 51 years old.

Jun 10, 2009
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4 Months after labral tear surgery
by: Gina

Debbie, What you are going thru is normal for that type of surgery. I had a full thickness labral tear (SLAP) plus a partial rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus tendon). I don't want to scare you, but it took about a year and half totally to have my full mobility back. I also had a problem with 7 areas of scar tissue that formed where the Dr. had to take me back into the O.R. and break the adhesions under anesthesia, then it took 3 more months of physical therapy before I was well. It is a long process, but you cannot give up. You just have to go on knowing that each day you are closer. Also, if you do not have them, get yourself some overhead shoulder pulleys at a surgical supply store and use them. Work up to 45 minutes per day twice a day. You just got to do that, that and laying down with a stick reaching it over your head, plus using the 1 1b. weights will help you. I just had another surgery on my left shoulder and am now rehabbing that, (biceps tenodesis, a bone spur shaved off, severe arthritis in the joint, scar tissue cut out) I am looking at 6 months of rehab, but after that I will have 2 good shoulders; I lived in constant pain for the last 4 years. I know about the lack of sleep. Try Benadryl at night plus a Vicodin every other day or 2-3 times a week for 6 good hours of sleep. Don't get discouraged, just keep going. You will get there. I did, so it is possible.

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Jun 10, 2009
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Submitted by: Gina

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Debbie, What you are going thru is normal for that type of surgery. I had a full thickness labral tear (SLAP) plus a partial rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus tendon). I don't want to scare you, but it took about a year and half totally to have my full mobility back. I also had a problem with 7 areas of scar tissue that formed where the Dr. had to take me back into the O.R. and break the adhesions under anesthesia, then it took 3 more months of physical therapy before I was well. It is a long process, but you cannot give up. You just have to go on knowing that each day you are closer. Also, if you do not have them, get yourself some overhead shoulder pulleys at a surgical supply store and use them. Work up to 45 minutes per day twice a day. You just got to do that, that and laying down with a stick reaching it over your head, plus using the 1 1b. weights will help you. I just had another surgery on my left shoulder and am now rehabbing that, (biceps tenodesis, a bone spur shaved off, severe arthritis in the joint, scar tissue cut out) I am looking at 6 months of rehab, but after that I will have 2 good shoulders; I lived in constant pain for the last 4 years. I know about the lack of sleep. Try Benadryl at night plus a Vicodin every other day or 2-3 times a week for 6 good hours of sleep. Don't get discouraged, just keep going. You will get there. I did, so it is possible.

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Jul 14, 2009
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Bicep/labrum surgery, rehab time?
by: Anonymous

Cindy: Labral repair/bicep tendonesis 5/22/09
I had this surgery on the above date,rehab 3x weeek, in the 8th week ROM limite
with corisone injection on 7/9/09, this lasted
maybe four days. I'm now again having pain, esp.
muscle weakness on bicep area and shoulder. I'm
a nurse and would like to know how much rehab is
necessary and when I can return to work?

Sep 21, 2009
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relieved
by: Anonymous

I had bicep tenodesis surgery first week of July and I am still pretty limited in my range of motion and strength. I was beginning to feel depressed due to the limitation of independence and feeling as if it was taking too long to recover; but I am thankful to read your comments and know that this is somewhat normal.

Thanks alot!