Post-op Shoulder Decompression Pain/Therapy

I am a 49 year old male and had shoulder decompression surgery 4 weeks ago. It was done through an incision as the OS stated there was too much existing inflamation to do it arthroscopically.

I began rehab 4 days after surgery and have been going 3 times a week. I felt I was making progress until 1 of the sessions last week when some small weights were introduced as well as the stretch bands.

Since that time, I have various pains during the day in the upper arm, lower arm, joint, etc. In addition, my nights consist of only 4-5 hours of sleep due to waking up with pain, although this was going on before the 1 session.

How normal is all of this?
Is there a chance the one therapy session went too far?

This is the first skeletal-type surgery I have had so I don't have experience with rehab and recovery.

Thank you.

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Post-op Shoulder Decompression Pain/Therapy

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Aug 23, 2008
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It is normal
by: Bart - SII

Therapy is often a fine line of challenging the body without doing too much - it could be that you over did therapy a little - but usually that is part of the recovery process - after a few sessions your body adapts and gets stronger. I would talk to your therapist to make sure they are aware of how you responded to that treatment session - they will modify your activities as needed to keep you progressing.

An open subacromial decompression is going to take time to heal - the first 4 weeks are usually full of aches and pains, and trouble sleeping. This should continue to get better, but I would say that everything you describe is fairly normal for this procedure.

Bart

Aug 17, 2009
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arthroscopic shoulder decompression
by: Anonymous

I am a nurse and I injured my shoulder in february at work having had pain since then I underwent an arthroscopic decompression in july and since then i have been slow to recover. I now believe that pain in the limb, swelling in the arm and being awake most nights is quite normal.I thought id be back at work by now and last week i actually had 3 pain free days and not too bad nights. I thought ive turned the corner now, But the last three days have been unbearable with pain and swelling despite every thing I try. I have a band but the pain is too great if i take my pain killers im sleepy and the arm gets stiffer I hope there will be an end