Question - Biceps Tenotomy (pain after surgery)

I have had chronic right shoulder pain for 3 years due to a left shoulder fusion. I had my shoulder scoped two years ago and all they found was some significant bursitis issues. They cleaned the joint up but I continued to have pain.

I had a bicep tenotomy and some more clean up 3 weeks ago but am in more pain then ever. They did this surgery for a faster recovery but I am now not able to roll over in bed or get dressed.

Is this pain common?

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Question - Biceps Tenotomy (pain after surgery)

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Jul 20, 2008
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It is very common pain...
by: Bart - SII

Pain after a biceps tendon procedure is usually fairly significant - this is because of the work done to the tendon, as well as the bone work.

It should continue to get better as you progress from your surgery date, but it is common to have pain for several weeks.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

Jul 22, 2008
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Comment
by: Anonymous

Even with a tenotomy? They did no work to the bone...just soft tissue.

Jul 22, 2008
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I misread...
by: Bart - SII

Sorry, I guess I misread tenotomy and was thinking tenodesis. That involves attaching the biceps tendon to the humerus.

Either way, the biceps can be a very un-cooperative muscle after surgery - part of the reason is because it is on an almost constant stretch because of its attachment. Second, it is a very used muscle with any type of shoulder activity.

Even with soft tissue work alone, it is common to have pain for several weeks. And the shoulder is known to be a very "achey" joint, especially after surgery.

Hang in there - it should get better. Just keep up with your rehab and physicians instructions.

Bart

Jan 30, 2009
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LEFT SHOULDER SURGERY REGRET
by: Anonymous

I HAD SURGERY TO MY SHOULDER FOLLOWING A CAR ACCID,I TRULY REGRET THIS SURGERY.I HAVE CONSTANT PAIN THE MEDICATIONS ARE NOT HELPING ME,I HAVE BECAME VERY DEPRESS BECAUSE OF THIS SURGERY. I LOST MY JOB DUE TO WHAT MY FORMER EMPLOYER STATED THAT I COULD NO LONGER PERFORM,I LOST HOPE CAN'T GET A JOB.SOMETIME I WISH I WAS DEAD THAN TO BE HERE SUFFERING LIKE THIS EVERYDAY.I WAS TOLD I HAD POST LABRIUM TEAR AT THE CRITICAL ZONE, MUTI-DIRECTIONAL INSTABILITY,ALL I SEE AND FEEL IS PAIN.

Mar 27, 2009
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This is to the person who has lost all hope
by: Anonymous

Wow, i just read your comment. I fell at work and tore both my rotator cuffs. that's right both of them. They laid me off immediately after my surgery (one of my two surgeries). I made 50,000 a year, is not a lot to some, but paid my bills. You can never let the actions of others take away your joy in life. You must find something else to do, get healthy. Look at this as an opportunity to do something else, learn something else. If you start to feel sorry for yourself, you will sink even lower. Just smile an move on. No loss of job, house, friends, etc are ever worth giving up on your own life. Find a new job, new friends, new place to live if necessary. I'm in pain most of the time, I just don't let it stop, it will probably never get better, so i just keep moving, doing things that bring me joy. You should too!!

Apr 13, 2009
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Biceps tenotomy
by: Anonymous

I had a biceps tenotomy 3 weeks ago. It is still painful but I guess as expected. I thought that I was just having a sub acromial decompression and excision of a bony spur. I did not know that I would have the tendon cut. What I can't find out is - what happens to the long head of the biceps that is cut? Is it removed or just left hanging around? Does that mean that the biceps is now totally dependent on the short head tendon? In another 3 weeks I have to decide whether to have the other one done too.

May 01, 2009
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BICEPS TENOTOMY/FULL THICKNESS ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR
by: Anonymous

Surgery 6 1/2 wks ago started "active" ROM excercises this week. Planned on returning to work ( work in hospital emergency room), but found out they will not release me yet. Although...having SO MUCH pain..don't really see how I thought I was going to do that! :)
Anyone out there with same surg know approx how long before the pain gets better? (tell me some good news)Thanks

May 05, 2009
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Bicep Torture!
by: Anonymous

Sorry for not provided any good news...my surgery was in June of last year and I am still struggling with pain. Been getting cortisone shots every 6 wks for the last 6 months. This surgery was a bad decision on my part. Hope yours is not on the same track!

May 12, 2009
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Bicep Tenotomy
by: D

Had Rotator Cuff tear 85 % repair, Bicep tenotomy, and sub acromial decompression and grinding off of bony spurs on 3-27-2009 (right arm and right arm domminat). Developed the Popeye Tendon. I have worked through getting back to work (work at a desk and computer all day). Still have pain; not as severe. Still using ice packs daily. The new problem is the trapezious muscle having spasams. The Doc prescibed muscle relaxor and a tens unit. The tens unit really helps with the spasams. It has been six weeks. I will keep working through this ordeal. The physical therapist says I am doing great. But really, I am weak as a kitten! I do not think I can pick up anything more than a pound without the assistance of my left arm. Someone told me this is a Two Year recovery....ugh

May 21, 2009
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Tenotomy (7-months post op)
by: Kinu

I had 3 rotator cuff tears debrided in June 2008, didn't get better, sent to second surgeon in Oct. 2008 had second surgery for shredded bicep that was released. It's now May 2009. I've made 96 visits to Physical therapy in the past year. YES I have been very good about doing all the exercises. My range of motion is great, strength is good but still have pain in bicep and at deltoid insertion. I missed little work since I can "make it work". Surgeon basically told me yesterday he could not do anything else for me. He has no idea why I still hurt. I'm a band director, I need my arms to work without pain so I can enjoy my job. Surgeon suggested pain management doctor but to me that seems like I need to go to a shrink. Or I can go to a 3rd surgeon. I have no idea what to do. I just want to do my job and enjoy doing it. Any suggestions?

Jun 09, 2009
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Trigger Points
by: Anonymous

Look to the exciting world of trigger points. Im a physiotherapist in the UK and have treated hundreds of patients following shoulder surgery. And i guarantee that everyone one who has had shoulder surgery has these trgger points - which are tights bands of muscle which can refer pain. When treating patients after shoulder surgery i always assess trigger points because these are the muscles that may now be causing you pain, especially if your 3 - 6 months post surgery with no relief. Most common trigger point locations are at the infraspinatus muscle which refers pain down the front of the shoulder and arm - all patients post shoulder surgery will have this active trigger point. Subscapularis trigger point also. I would strongly recommend you try this approach as i have had great results with this approach, especially in patients where pain continues to be an issue - months post op

Jun 23, 2009
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Pain
by: Anonymous

I had biceps tendon repair June 2008. I am still in so much pain. I was trying to see if anyone else had this problem. I cant even pick up a cup of coffee without pain. I hope this isnt forever.

Jul 04, 2009
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Shoulder Surgery
by: Anonymous

On 5/5/09, I had surgery for a complete tear in my rotater cuff, shaving of a calcium deposit and a completely frayed bicep tendon. The dr. had to completely sever the tendon and wasn't able to reattach it to the bone.

I am in therapy 3x/week(this is my 5th week of therapy and 9 weeks post-op). Here it is July 4th and I am miserable with pain. Heating pad, ice packs...I have to do my home exercises but when I do, I am in 10x more pain.

I don't know how long to expect to be feeling like this and I am really getting depressed. I had to back-out of a 4th of July "outing" just because I knew that I would be miserable.

I just keep getting told that it's going to take a white. Next week, it will have been 9 weeks post-op. I cannot believe I still have any pain!

Jul 05, 2009
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biceps tenotomy pain
by: Anonymous

Hi, I had a rotator cuff repair, A/c revision, subacromial decompression, and this horrible tenotomy. there is no pain in my shoulder but I have horrible pain in my arm, elbow and wrist. I am trying to be patient because it will just be a week on Tuesday but I can't believe how severe the pain is....I am sorry to hear of others in so much pain...I have ace bandages which I think are adding to the pain but they are hoping to avoid the deformity.

Jul 13, 2009
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Biceps Tenotomy surgery Feb 23, 2009
by: Anonymous

I would like to address the posting of "Biceps Tenotomy/full thickness Rotator Cuff Repair". I had surgery on Feb. 23, 2009 & I am still having a great deal of pain. Sorry for this news. However, I believe I will get better. I too work in the ER;as an RN in the ER. On Sept 3, 2008 I was rear-ended by a motorist doing approx. 80 mph. I believe the mechanism of injury is causing the delay for my healing. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I had surgery on my other shoulder 18 mos ago, & it healed great. My problem-right shoulder procedure a tenodesis was performed, & on my left, tenotomy procedure. For me the time to heal is almost the same now, but more problems with the tenotomy procedure. My biceps has spasms that are excruciating, & I wonder if I could now have the surgery repeated & have the procedure tenodesis done? Please if anyone HAS experienced this dilemma, let me know. Thanks. I want to return to work!

Jul 22, 2009
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Bicep Tenotomy
by: Beetle

I am a 52 year old male. On 6/15/09 I received RC Surgery for a fall off a ladder 3 years prior. On Post-op visit I was informed by intern (Doc not there) the surgeon also performed a Biceps Tenotomy. I was not aware of this prior to surgery to have a choice in the matter. I am very upset as I do manual labor and also in weight-lifting. I see the Dr. next week. Can I still get a Tenodesis performed or too late? It will have been 7 weeks. If not able, how will I fare at work and weight-lifting? If there is anyone out there to help me in this area please comment. Thank you.

Aug 13, 2009
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Surgery coming soon!
by: Anonymous

I have been reading all the comments and stories of others and I have to say Im a little worried. I have a Bicep Tenotomy surgery coming up in three weeks. My shoulder has been in pain for 14 years after the police Academy and Custody and Control training. All they could find on the MRI is Bicep tendon problem.
Now Im reading all the following problems people are having, concerned about the surgery?! Wondering if the pain will be more or less after the surgery?

Aug 13, 2009
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Biceps tenotomy
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am one of the people who was miserable immediately after a bunch of procedures including a biceps tenotomy ( two rotator cuff tears, subacromial decompression and the biceps all at once).

I am now 6 weeks past the surgery and have no biceps pain, and the rehab is going really well. It turned out to be referred pain from the shoulder and was aggrivated by the sling ( which I had already been in for 12 weeks after another surgery at the other end of my collarbone.)

My surgeon ,who is exceptional, told me that John Elway won a superbowl after his biceps tenotomy.

So hopefully you will have a good result, too.
I bet many people are like me and search and post stuff when they are miserable and then get better and move on and you don't hear the whole story.

Good luck with your surgery. ( oh, and I didn't get the deformity that you hear about either. The ace bandages/compression sleeve prevented it.)

Aug 15, 2009
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Shoulder Pain
by: Jax

Sitting here on my laptop looking for a website that would tell me why i'm still having pain in my shoulder 9 weeks after surgery, havent found any answers.
I had a subacromial decompression and also the bicep had to be disected as it had attached itself to scar tissue. Im still experiencing a burning sensation down the front of my arm and the pain is driving me mad.
Physio was a complete waste of time for me. Cant do the exercises when my I have pain and I feel like my arm is a dead weight. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aug 18, 2009
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Biceps Tenotomy
by: Beetle

This is addressed to Biceps Tenotomy by Anonymous Aug. 13,2009.
I chose not to have my bicep reattached after RC Surgery per Doctor's strong recommendation. He said too many patients complain of pain with limited ROM. You stated you do not have the deformity associated with a tenotomy procedure because you wore an Ace Bandage. This was not ordered as part of my recovery. It is now 8 weeks post-op and I have the (popeye arm) look, extremely weak and in a lot of pain with cramping in bicep. I do manual labor and was into weight-training. I wonder if Ace Bandage could help me at this point in time to correct deformity and speed up recovery? I am still amazed the Dr. performed a tenotomy when tendon was only 25% frayed and without my consent. Any reply welcome. Thank you.

Aug 21, 2009
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Shoulder cuff tear and tendonesis
by: eva

I have had a cuff tear on my right shoulder plus tendonesis was done of the byceps tendon 9 weeks ago I am without pain at all times My right arm down to my elbow is still discoloured I have been having physio but there is a lot of the exesises I find difficult to do specially lifting my arm up it feels dead weight I am a district nurse and would like to get back to work but I dont know how long this will take to get better has anyone have a same problem?

Sep 04, 2009
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Self Tentomy
by: Arnold

I snapped off my long head bicep tendon playing tennis. Immediate I noticed my normal shoulder pain went away. It's been a week since I tore it off and there is still no return of shoulder pain. However, I have bicep pain and it can be quite severe. It seems to be subsiding each day. I am willing to accept the bulge but I read on this forum some are using a bicep sleeve. Where do you get it? I am using an tennis elbow sleeve over the bicep. It seems to make it feel a lot better.

Sep 06, 2009
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compression after biceps tenotomy
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am the one who originally had the ace bandages from wrist to shoulder after biceps tenotomy, two rotator cuff repairs, subacromial decompression, and clavicle resection- all arthroscopically on the same day. The compression sleeve which was much easier to deal with came from my physical therapist.....they had a long roll of it and just cut sections off of it to fit my arm.

It is now almost week 10 and all the bicep pain is gone and I still don't have the defect and I haven't been using compression on it for a few weeks now. (I had horrendous elbow pain initially and now have no pain at all in that area.)

I have to say that the biceps tenotomy recovery is alot easier than the rotator cuff and clavicle resection recovery. I was upset about the biceps intially but have no complaints now.

Sep 22, 2009
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how long has everyone been out of work
by: Kathy

I am a first grade teacher and I had the full thickness tear in Dec repaired but I never got better. I just now had the biceps tenotomy done a week ago. My shoulder is very weak and painful. I also have a lot of pain in my neck from the nerve block. I started PT yesterday and it was difficult. Did I start PT to fast?
How long have most of you been out of work?

Sep 23, 2009
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Out of work
by: Beetle

I had RC Surgery with Bicep Tenotomy on 6-15-09. As of 9-23-09 I am currently not back to work. Doctor said it will be a total of 6-8 months before he releases me back to work. I am just now getting strength back and pain starting to deminish. Hope this has been helpful.

Sep 23, 2009
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return to work
by: Anonymous

Wow...I had 2 fully torn rotator cuff tendons, biceps tenotomy, subacromial decompression, and a distal clavicle resection on 6/30 and went back to work after 2 weeks (in the sling) ...part time, then full time about 2 weeks after that. (I got a ride to the train since I couldn't drive- the commute was the worst part of going back) ...I still can't really lift anything but fortunately my job doesn't involve any lifting and it has been good to be back.

I have great range of motion now and am finally going to be able to start the strength training phase next week...Good luck to everyone...

Sep 23, 2009
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Bicep
by: Anonymous

All they did was cut my bicep tendon. I didn't drive for 6 month but was able to work as a special ed teacher 3 months after surgery. It was suppose to be a easy surgery but turned out to be a nightmare. I continue to have pain but I also have Cerebral Palsy!

Sep 25, 2009
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bicepts tenotomy
by: Kathy

OPERATIONS: Left shoulder arthroscopy, debridement, biceps tenotomy, subacromial decompression, AC joint resection.
These were all the things I had done. My doctor just said I would probably be home about 3 months. I was out 6 months last year with the rotator cuff. I have an 85 mile commute that I drive and I don't think I could do it everyday.
Thanks for the replies. I guess I will have to wait and see.

Oct 08, 2009
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Supraspinatus tear and biceps tenotomy
by: TB

I'm a 53 year old male and have have three shoulder surgeries over the last 13 years. I suspect that you will have to look a long time to find someone with more shoulder surgery experience than me. The injuries are primarily from ice hockey goaltending and dirt biking.

For my most recent on September 8, 2009,(fully arthroscopic)they repaired a full thickness supraspinatus tear, a 50% infraspinatus tear and a 90% biceps tendon tear. My first surgery in 1996 was also on the right side but is was far less complicated - an acromioplasty. The second surgery was in 2007 on my left shoulder and they repaired a torn supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon - that was done with a mix of open and arthroscopic procedures.

Every procedure has been totally different. The first one which appeared "simple" was extremely painful to rehab and it took about 6 months. The second procedure took a long time to fully rehab -about 18 months but it as good as new today. For the latest procedure, I was in a sling for 4 weeks and was worried about atropy and loss of range of motion (ROM). To my amazement, while I had some atrophy, my ROM was nearly intact. I have 90% ROM today and have not started PT yet - that begins tomorrow.

My best advice for this procedure is to use a polar cuff (about $225 - insurance did not cover mine), get a good recliner and try to stay away from the Lortab and related narcotics. They gave me 90 of the 7.5mg. Lortab for my latest procedure and I took about 10 of them immediately post-op. They made me feel like crap and I hated the side effects - dry mouth, dysphoria and constipation, even with fiber. Continue to ice per MD direction, especially after rehab starts and work hard on ROM because frozen shoulder sucks - I had a buddy with that in 2007 after his surgery.

I read a lot of dire comments on the message board and I cannot say that I ever encountered any of the dramatic pain, loss of work or misery outlined by others. It's important to keep in kind that this is relatively simple stuff compared to ailments like cancer or MS and that should be your focus. It will get better. I missed 3 days of work after surgery and got right back at it the following week. I was amazed to read of people taking 3 or 6 months off for these procedures. It's just not that big of a deal unless you have a super low pain threshold or enjoy being a drama queen.

Don't kid yourself, there are NO short cuts - you have to do the PT and rehab work vigilantly and you simply have to take the pain. Don't be a dummy and start sucking down Lortabs or Percocet because you feel a little uncomfortable. All that does is create and new and potentially larger problem down the road.

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Oct 08, 2009
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Submitted by: TB

Title

Comment
I'm a 53 year old male and have have three shoulder surgeries over the last 13 years. I suspect that you will have to look a long time to find someone with more shoulder surgery experience than me. The injuries are primarily from ice hockey goaltending and dirt biking. For my most recent on September 8, 2009,(fully arthroscopic)they repaired a full thickness supraspinatus tear, a 50% infraspinatus tear and a 90% biceps tendon tear. My first surgery in 1996 was also on the right side but is was far less complicated - an acromioplasty. The second surgery was in 2007 on my left shoulder and they repaired a torn supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon - that was done with a mix of open and arthroscopic procedures. Every procedure has been totally different. The first one which appeared "simple" was extremely painful to rehab and it took about 6 months. The second procedure took a long time to fully rehab -about 18 months but it as good as new today. For the latest procedure, I was in a sling for 4 weeks and was worried about atropy and loss of range of motion (ROM). To my amazement, while I had some atrophy, my ROM was nearly intact. I have 90% ROM today and have not started PT yet - that begins tomorrow. My best advice for this procedure is to use a polar cuff (about $225 - insurance did not cover mine), get a good recliner and try to stay away from the Lortab and related narcotics. They gave me 90 of the 7.5mg. Lortab for my latest procedure and I took about 10 of them immediately post-op. They made me feel like crap and I hated the side effects - dry mouth, dysphoria and constipation, even with fiber. Continue to ice per MD direction, especially after rehab starts and work hard on ROM because frozen shoulder sucks - I had a buddy with that in 2007 after his surgery. I read a lot of dire comments on the message board and I cannot say that I ever encountered any of the dramatic pain, loss of work or misery outlined by others. It's important to keep in kind that this is relatively simple stuff compared to ailments like cancer or MS and that should be your focus. It will get better. I missed 3 days of work after surgery and got right back at it the following week. I was amazed to read of people taking 3 or 6 months off for these procedures. It's just not that big of a deal unless you have a super low pain threshold or enjoy being a drama queen. Don't kid yourself, there are NO short cuts - you have to do the PT and rehab work vigilantly and you simply have to take the pain. Don't be a dummy and start sucking down Lortabs or Percocet because you feel a little uncomfortable. All that does is create and new and potentially larger problem down the road.

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Oct 08, 2009
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Reply to TB
by: Beetle

Thanks for your input. You seem to be very informed about your procedures and recovery. That is a good thing. Unfortunetly, I was not at the time of my surgery. Needless to say it was quite a surprise at Post-Op appointment to find the Dr. performed a LHB Tenotomy without my knowledge. I do repetitive manual labor and was active in weight-lifting. My situation is that my annual PT visit's are exhausted. I only had 12 visits of PT. I am currently going thru appeals. Until then I am doing home therapy. I am currently going into 4 months recovery and slowly gaining strength and ROM. I was wondering how long before fully able to return to previous life-style? I do agree with you that this is not life threatening as some injuries but does require adjustments in life. Thanks again for input. Beetle

Oct 11, 2009
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9 days post op biceps tenodesis surgery
by: Dee

I am about 9 days post op for Bicep Tendon Surgery. Overall, I am doing pretty good during the day but the nights are hard. I don't believe in torturing myself so when I wake up with incredible pain, I take two sibuphrohen, a percacet and put my heating pad on. I then wait for sleep since I have started back to work and like to feel alert. I also got in a mild workout today. Did a light run and walk on the treadmill. Felt good to be back at they gym. Plan on working hard but I am dreaking phyiscal therapy since moving my arm seems to "wake it up"! The night after my first post op appointment where my doctor moved it around was worse then day after surgery! But if I want full motion back, I am going to have to work through the pain and trust my doctor.

Oct 11, 2009
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post op
by: kathy

Well it's 4 weeks since my surgery and although it's a little better I am still in pain without pain medication. I only take it in the morning so I can function. My dr says I will be home for 3 months and at first I thought that was a long time but now I know why. Some people do handle pain differently. I have had about a dozen different surgeries and I have recovered better with some than others. I think everyone is different and this forum just gives us a chance to see what everyone else experiences. Shoulder surgery I think is more difficult because we are constantly moving our shoulders.

Oct 11, 2009
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Kathy
by: Anonymous

kathy,
Curious, what did you have done? I kind of question if I returned to work too soon. You are correct, everyone is different and everyone handles pain differenlty.

Oct 12, 2009
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to anonymous
by: Anonymous

I had Left shoulder arthroscopy, debridement, biceps tenotomy, subacromial decompression, AC joint resection. I thought I was going in for a rotator cuff repair but I had all of this instead. I went online to a bunch of sites and most say recovery is 6 to 8 months just for the bicepts tenotomy so being out 3 months sounds about right.

Oct 12, 2009
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Re: Kathy
by: Anonymous

I too thought it was going to be rotator. I didn't have as much work. I did have some spurs removed which could be adding to my discomfort. I know this is a slow process so I am trying to just remember to be patient. Hope you're recovery goes well.

Oct 13, 2009
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Anonymous
by: Kathy

I wish you the best in your recovery also. Physical therapy is very important in the healing process. I started a week after the surgery. It's going slow but helping me.

Oct 15, 2009
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Bicep Tenotomy
by: Beetle

From all the reply's, it seems Bicep Tenotomy's is a common procedure for RC Surgery. My question is why? With all the claims of state of the art technology, grafts and graft jackets, stem cells and the ability to regrow heart muscle, why can't Dr.'s save the LHB tendon? I am no expert on the subject, although I am learning more as I do research. In my opinion I think it is just an easy fix for the surgeon. If there is anyone who could provide some input on this matter, I would be open here it. Perhaps an Orthropedic Specialist could reply. My tendon was only 25% frayed and the surgeon chose to cut it off. That meant it was still 75% good. It seems a dissappoint to lose something if it can be saved. Again this is my thoughts.
Thank you.

Oct 16, 2009
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Frozen Shoulder too
by: Anonymous

I had my tendon cut and moved to a better position two weeks ago but the phyiscal therapy report stated in addition, I had a bone spur removed and adhesive capilities AKA frozen shoulder. My doctor also removed scar tissue during surgery. I am miseral in PT and they tell me the only way to get better is to put my self through more pain via 4 - 5 sets of exercise to break through the scar tissue. I am so discouraged and am officially depressed. I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep and I feel a some level of discomfort 24/7. I feel alot of pain during the night and early morning. If I take a pain pill which I relunctlantly end up doing to get back to sleep work is a long day and I can't usually find the energy to work out. It a difficult cyclel. Thanks for letting me vent. My friends and boyfriend just don't get it which makes me feel even more isolated. I am usually such a positive person.

Oct 17, 2009
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frozen shoulder
by: Kathy

I had frozen shoulder on my last operation and I went in to have a manipulation under anesthesia. It broke up scar tissue and did make pt easier.
I to have a hard time sleeping. I take a pain pill in the morning and one at night and that's it. I was trying to take just one a day but it was very difficult. I got up this morning in a lot of pain and tried heat first but I think I will have to take something for pain. I even have pain in my fingers.
People who haven't been through it can say it's easy and for some people it's easier than others. I know right now there is no way that I could go back to work.
Keep up PT and if it's difficult talk to your doctor about the manipulation. You are alseep and they manipulate your shoulder to try and break up the scar tissue.

Oct 19, 2009
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Kathy
by: Anonymous

Do you know how you got the frozen shoulder? I think I got mine from the bicep problem. I know you can get it from surgery but I had the adhesive capularies when they went in to fix the bicep tendon. My Phyiscal Therpaist did talk to me about the manuipulation if things don't improve. It jus sounds awful but I hear alot of possitive stuff about it. I take a pain pill at night and 1/2 early morning. I also need 1/2 a few hours after PT. I do massages, ice, heat, electrical stiumulation and utrasound. Some days i feel like I'm getting better and then I feel like it tightened up again.

Oct 19, 2009
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anonymous
by: Kathy

Yeah sometimes I feel better than others too. The last time with the rotator cuff I just had no range of motion no matter what I did. Now I have more range of motion but still have a lot of pain especially in my scapula. It's very painful and that's what the physical therapist usually works on. The manipulation does help and I am glad I did it. I still had problems and they operated again and found the bicep tendon frayed so they just cut it. I don't see how I can work with the pain right now but the dr my job sent me to thinks I can use my right arm so they are sending me to their own orthopedist. I take one pill every morning and sometimes later on depending how bad I feel.
Good luck
Kathy

Oct 19, 2009
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Oct 23, 2009
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going for tenotomy.
by: Anonymous

I am suppose to go for a tenotomy when workmans comp approves it.Iwas wondering after reading these post Do you have to go through pt and wear a sling ? I was under the impression from my Dr. and case manager, they would cut it and I would be good to go.I had a Type II slap repair 2 anchors,subcromial decompression,and glenoid debidement in Jan 2008.The dr"s said tenotomy was much quicker recovery.After this post I'm not sure.
Thanks

Oct 23, 2009
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Tenotomy
by: Kathy

I have heard people who recovered quickly and then others took longer. I did it 6 weeks ago. I am still in pain and not back to work. I have to see an orthopedist from my job next month. My dr. wanted me home until Dec but I don't know if the workmens comp dr will agree. I was only in a sling a few days and started pt after a week. My range of motion is ok but I still have pain.

Oct 29, 2009
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Anonymous/Kathy
by: Beetle

I had RC Surgery with Bicep Tenotomy on 6-15-09. I am still weak with alot of pain in the teres and bicep tendon. Although the Dr. cut the tendon, he left it in the bicep groove. He said it will be 6-8 months before he considers releasing me for work. However, each person heals differently. I am typically a slow healer. I hope this info will help answer your concern.