Rotator Cuff / Bicep Tenodesis Surgery; Recovery Log

[thefeeny]

Thanks Tapian, this is useful to hear. Appreciate it.

[tkdnj]

Hello all

TKDNJ, thanks for keeping this thread going for so long and I'm seriously sorry to hear you're having to go through this again. That'd stress the )_#(*$ out of me!

I also created an account only because of the usefulness of this thread. I am not a bodybuilder, but a marathon ocean paddler (surfski). This ended up wearing through my supraspinatus, resulting in a 3cm retracted full tear, successfully repaired 7 months ago. The biceps tendon was intact, a little frayed but left alone.

After 7 months I am back paddling, but only slowly, maybe at 50-60% capacity, no sprint or wave work. I am training 1-2x / day, working on strength, endurance etc. I should point out that I continue to see my physio and am only building within the parameters I am given by my medical team / surgeon.

So, whilst I feel I am making progress, I also feel that I am at times going backwards. I tell myself that this is because I continue to increase the amount of activity and load. At times it does feel like there is a setback of some kind every couple of weeks.

This week, for example, I am back to having mild but very annoying tingling in the area where the deltoid meets the tricep. It brings back horrible memories of the kind of pain that started this whole thing in the first place. Last night it woke me up, though nowhere near as bad as pre-surgery - a new, hopefully very temporary and highly unwanted experience.

I don't mind working through pain, though it is unnerving to think that I could be doing myself permanent damage. What I want to know is whether this is all normal? Do all of us that go through this have these periods where we regress, where tingles, aches and pains come back a few days here and there? Do we all have the mental anxiety that makes us question if we will ever get better?

My physio keeps telling me that so far, my rotator cuff journey has been the "premier A grade experience". Goodness me, but I'd hate to think about what an economy class ticket looks like!

Here's to staying strong.

Feens

Hi Feens - it sounds like you're just experiencing the ups and downs of recovery. Don't forget, as an ocean paddler you are putting much more demands on the healing shoulder than most people. You will be healing for a long time, and will be vulnerable to inflammation here and there as you push more and more. My shoulder felt "good enough to lift weights" at about 4 months, felt "almost normal" at about 8 months, but not "perfect" until about 18 months. Also, there were certain movements that felt perfect way before other movements. It's been almost 3 months since my other (my left) shoulder was done, and I am prepared for the ups and downs of recovery. Thanks for the good thoughts! Good luck!

[thefeeny]

Thanks tkdnj. Hope your spirits are good at 3 months.

It's nice to know this is "normal" for shoulders. It certainly is up and down. I've had a reasonably good week this week - feeling almost normal, getting my ocean miles up. Then, tonight, just a bit too much with a dumbbell overhead, tiny tweak, bit of inflammation, and back to taking it easy for a few more days.

Anyway, perhaps I'm a bit older now, but my shoulder surgery experience makes my ACL recon of years ago seem like a total picnic!

Finally, everyone probably has their own version of these sorts of exercises, but I believe that since I started doing the exercises in the link below daily (always after a workout, apparently never before, Ive been told it could be rotator-cuff suicide!), I've noticed some serious improvements in comfort and I think performance too.

Oh, I'm not allowed to post links yet. Bummer.

try googling "1 1 Theraband Strengthening Exercises These resistance" .. it's the mass general link, first one for me.

Best,
Feens

[tkdnj]

Thanks tkdnj. Hope your spirits are good at 3 months.

It's nice to know this is "normal" for shoulders. It certainly is up and down. I've had a reasonably good week this week - feeling almost normal, getting my ocean miles up. Then, tonight, just a bit too much with a dumbbell overhead, tiny tweak, bit of inflammation, and back to taking it easy for a few more days.

Anyway, perhaps I'm a bit older now, but my shoulder surgery experience makes my ACL recon of years ago seem like a total picnic!

Finally, everyone probably has their own version of these sorts of exercises, but I believe that since I started doing the exercises in the link below daily (always after a workout, apparently never before, Ive been told it could be rotator-cuff suicide!), I've noticed some serious improvements in comfort and I think performance too.

Oh, I'm not allowed to post links yet. Bummer.

try googling "1 1 Theraband Strengthening Exercises These resistance" .. it's the mass general link, first one for me.

Best,
Feens

Absolutely! Those are all the typical rotator cuff strengthening exercises. And I agree, always AFTER working out. Before working out just warm the shoulder up. I am at 14 weeks out from surgery, and feeling really good. I started hitting the weights again, VERY light (35 pound dumbbell bench presses), but so far so good! Good luck!

[sowilson]

If you're an ocean paddler consider yourself an overhead athlete - similar to a baseball pitcher or tennis player. Labrum surgery rehab is typically 7 months to start getting into a normal strength routine (this is for athletes under the control of an orthopedic surgeon/team physician, trainer, s&c coach), this applies to non-overhead athletes. For an overhead athlete, like yourself, you really need to avoid the overhead part until 12 months post op unless you are under the supervision of an orthopedic surgeon who is also a team doctor for a high level college or professional sports team. So 7 months return to sporting activities for non overhead, 12 months for overhead. This will also probably be the length of time that you will need to work with a PT (12 months in your case). If you want to research typical activities during the 12 month post-op timeline research baseball shoulder injuries.

[thefeeny]

I have had dry needling done a couple of times over the past fortnight, which may have helped a bit. I also substituted resistance bands for some weight exercises, which for now have me feeling a bit more comfortable.

My last 2 weeks have been much better and seen a marked improvement. I am paddling 40 - 50km per week without too much residual pain and managing to sleep well at night, which is always good! I also managed to return to pain free chin ups just in the past 2 weeks too, which feels like a bit of a milestone.

It's definitely not a linear journey, though I can but hope it's a nice straight line without setbacks in my future :-)

Sowilson, thanks for the tips. I agree, paddling is an overhead sport. One positive of my shoulder surgery has been the chance to completely reset my paddling technique. My elbows are now much lower and closer to my torso (more or less following Oscar C's technique). It is still overhead, but much less so than it was.

I am lucky to be under guidance of both an olympic surgeon and olympic physiotherapist - granted they specialise in elite swimmers rather than paddlers, but I feel lucky to have such good supervision. If they don't approve of something, I don't do it. The surgeon gave me the all clear to return to paddling at 6 months, and constantly reminds me that the only way I might really hurt myself again is either through accident/trauma, or if I do something that is out of keeping with where I'm at. In his words, "you can lift boulders if you want, but make sure you start with pebbles".

TKDNJ great to hear. Hope you are still feeling good and making progress. Heck I remember at about 20 weeks finding 10 pound dumbbell floor press a challenge.

[MedicGaucho]

thanks for the well wishes! I hope your healing goes well! Keep in mind, when i say 18 months, that was for heavy dumbbell benching with no pain. I was actually working out after 4 months, light and controlled, doing everything except benching.

Today i feel ok overall except for the numbness from the nerve block. The nerve block i had 5 years ago lasted about 20 hours. This one is supposed to last 3 days. I think it is so you don't need opioids. But it is very uncomfortable, like when your arm goes numb when you sleep on it. It's a crappy feeling. What was your nerve block experience?

Sorry I’m just getting back, everything was crazy, also I didn’t have my notifications on. The nerve block was weird, like you said that whole side was asleep. It lasted a while. I’ve done my rehab, been doing the pt workouts with bands and very light dumbbells. I can’t wait to really get after it but I know this is gonna be a long road.

Keep pushing

MG

[thefeeny]

Well, now 8.5 months, goodness me but time flies. TKDNJ I hear you on the 8 month thing. I definitely noticed a difference, even comparing where I was at 7 months vs 8 months. Things felt better more than they didn't at 8 months - particularly around training harder. I've had no night pain that's interfered with sleep since 7 months either.

4 days ago I set a near PB, which was unexpected, with no residual pain. I was seriously delighted ...though a few days later and I have that sunburn feeling from tonight's session, which hasn't happened for a little while - a signal to back off a bit.

Hope your other shoulder going well.

Feens

[tkdnj]

It's been about 20 weeks since my 2nd surgery (my other shoulder was done 5 years ago) . My surgeon released me to start lifting again (LIGHTLY) at 13 weeks since (as he said) I am ahead of schedule with my range of motion and strength. Things are going very well, much better than 5 years ago on the other shoulder. I am doing all exercises (except flyes), including dumbbell flats and inclines, with good intensity but light weights, staying in the 10-15 rep range, and going pretty close to failure, but not quite failure. The only time I have discomfort is getting the dumbbells in place for flats and inclines. That initial rep hurts a bit because it starts so low, but nothing serious. I also still have some pain when I sleep (when I roll over). I also notice the bicep on the repaired side (I also had a bicep tenodesis) has been spasming / twitching for the last week. I guess it's just from over stimulation (or maybe the nerves "waking up"), who knows, but the size and strength are coming back nicely in that arm. I am following my usual push / legs / pull / off repeat routine, and feel great. All in all, I'm very happy since last time I couldn't do a good dumbbell bench press for like 18 months.

I'm glad I only have two shoulders!

[thefeeny]

9.5 months for me now and all mostly going well... I have been paddling 5-6x per week plus cross training sessions without any residual effect. Paddling quite strongly, starting to feel strong, sleeping well and all that.

Then, suddenly 2 nights ago I noticed a red welt over the shoulder joint after a gym workout (greater tuberosity region). There was no discomfort during the workout and no pain, a bit of tingling and an ever so slight tightness when raising my arm. Slept fine that night, but then last night back to a tingling that was enough to keep me awake. GRRR!

I can still feel it now, that tingling, during the day it feels like a light sunburn, which I can ignore if I'm busy, at night it feels like a voltage that's enough to literarily give me a cold shoulder - that kept me awake.

I suppose its been two months since any kind of setback. That was rather enjoyable! Here's hoping that's all it is and that this is behind me soon enough.

Hope your shoulder progressing TKDNJ

[tkdnj]

9.5 months for me now and all mostly going well... I have been paddling 5-6x per week plus cross training sessions without any residual effect. Paddling quite strongly, starting to feel strong, sleeping well and all that.

Then, suddenly 2 nights ago I noticed a red welt over the shoulder joint after a gym workout (greater tuberosity region). There was no discomfort during the workout and no pain, a bit of tingling and an ever so slight tightness when raising my arm. Slept fine that night, but then last night back to a tingling that was enough to keep me awake. GRRR!

I can still feel it now, that tingling, during the day it feels like a light sunburn, which I can ignore if I'm busy, at night it feels like a voltage that's enough to literarily give me a cold shoulder - that kept me awake.

I suppose its been two months since any kind of setback. That was rather enjoyable! Here's hoping that's all it is and that this is behind me soon enough.

Hope your shoulder progressing TKDNJ

Sorry to hear that.... I am at almost 6 months. and I notice every now and then a deep burn in my shoulder. I wonder if it is nerve endings repairing themselves? Maybe scar tissue being stretched from the additional activity? I have an appointment with my surgeon on August 25. I will see what he thinks. I am happy with my progress regarding my ability to lift weights (light and strict) without a lot of pain, but the shoulder is still sore in the morning and when I roll over during the night. I have a question for you (or anyone else who has recently had the surgery): when I bring my elbow above shoulder height and turn my wrist so my thumb is pointing down (like I am looking at my wrist watch) I get pain. Does that movement cause you pain?

[thefeeny]

Sorry to hear that.... I am at almost 6 months. and I notice every now and then a deep burn in my shoulder. I wonder if it is nerve endings repairing themselves? Maybe scar tissue being stretched from the additional activity? I have an appointment with my surgeon on August 25. I will see what he thinks. I am happy with my progress regarding my ability to lift weights (light and strict) without a lot of pain, but the shoulder is still sore in the morning and when I roll over during the night. I have a question for you (or anyone else who has recently had the surgery): when I bring my elbow above shoulder height and turn my wrist so my thumb is pointing down (like I am looking at my wrist watch) I get pain. Does that movement cause you pain?

My physio told me that even at 9.5 months, what I am experiencing is normal and believes it is caused by over-training / over-loading. He told me to remember that load is cumulative. The advice for me is to rest until there is zero heat / tingle in the shoulder and then restart training with a view to under-train for a week, gradually rebuilding again over 3 weeks. He then reassured me that I'd be fine. I was also told that burn is usually a sign of inflammation - which supports the over-training / over-loading diagnosis.

It's amazing how magical these words are, almost like my shoulder hears them and heaves a sigh of relief and starts to feel better! I had no night pain last night and I believe I can feel the tingle subsiding. Still, it's bloody scary when this does happen.

I feel my shoulder in the morning too, it's usually the first and last thing I feel every day. I can sleep on it fine, and when I say I feel it, it doesn't hurt as such, it just reminds me that it's not normal (yet). I get up in the mornings and make the bed and use that as a bit of a ritual to see how my shoulder is feeling.

The movement you describe is an internal rotation with the shoulder abducted above 90 degrees. It does not cause me pain, but it does cause a "squeeze" around the top of the arm in both shoulders and will do for most people. That's because the abduction plus internal rotation faces and then pushes the attachment point of all those rotator tendons upwards towards the acromion bone. You can see in the image I've uploaded - imagine the tendons all attaching to the upper humerus (arm bone), where the tuberosity (the groove) is up the top of the arm bone. Then imagine that arm bone elevating, with all those tendon attachments in that groove, and rotating inwards. You can see the jam-up and compression this causes.

I imagine that if there is any swelling in the tendons, the squeeze / pain might be amplified by any compression. One self-test I used to do was to rest my palm on my opposite shoulder, with my upper arm raised to 90 degrees, elbow pointing straight out in front of me. I would then rest the opposite hand on the top of the point of my elbow and apply gentle pressure. This caused some pain at first, certainly compared to the other side that had no pain at all. By about month 8 or 9 the pain was pretty much gone, though with my current over-train symptom it is mildly back - and I think it makes sense, if I have inflammed some tendons in a tight area, that I will feel this when I compress the area

There is an old but very interesting book I came across that taught me a fair bit about the rotator cuff anatomy and a few things to do to keep it happy - or alternatively, make it unhappy. I am not allowed to post links yet, but googling "epdf.pub The 7 minute rotator cuff solution" leads to an accessible version online.

This book explains the compression phenomenon I think you are describing and also points to particular exercises that it suggests people should avoid for long term rotator cuff health, e.g. upright row type exercises, where the arm is rotated inwards, and lifted into abduction, quite a similar motion to the wristwatch turn.

August 25th is only a few days away! Here's hoping for good news. You had a full thickness tear of supraspinatus on this shoulder, right? I don't recall, did you have a full supra tear on the other one too? Did the surgeon give you any advice about tear size, retraction or tissue quality?

[tkdnj]

My physio told me that even at 9.5 months, what I am experiencing is normal and believes it is caused by over-training / over-loading. He told me to remember that load is cumulative. The advice for me is to rest until there is zero heat / tingle in the shoulder and then restart training with a view to under-train for a week, gradually rebuilding again over 3 weeks. He then reassured me that I'd be fine. I was also told that burn is usually a sign of inflammation - which supports the over-training / over-loading diagnosis.

It's amazing how magical these words are, almost like my shoulder hears them and heaves a sigh of relief and starts to feel better! I had no night pain last night and I believe I can feel the tingle subsiding. Still, it's bloody scary when this does happen.

I feel my shoulder in the morning too, it's usually the first and last thing I feel every day. I can sleep on it fine, and when I say I feel it, it doesn't hurt as such, it just reminds me that it's not normal (yet). I get up in the mornings and make the bed and use that as a bit of a ritual to see how my shoulder is feeling.

The movement you describe is an internal rotation with the shoulder abducted above 90 degrees. It does not cause me pain, but it does cause a "squeeze" around the top of the arm in both shoulders and will do for most people. That's because the abduction plus internal rotation faces and then pushes the attachment point of all those rotator tendons upwards towards the acromion bone. You can see in the image I've uploaded - imagine the tendons all attaching to the upper humerus (arm bone), where the tuberosity (the groove) is up the top of the arm bone. Then imagine that arm bone elevating, with all those tendon attachments in that groove, and rotating inwards. You can see the jam-up and compression this causes.

I imagine that if there is any swelling in the tendons, the squeeze / pain might be amplified by any compression. One self-test I used to do was to rest my palm on my opposite shoulder, with my upper arm raised to 90 degrees, elbow pointing straight out in front of me. I would then rest the opposite hand on the top of the point of my elbow and apply gentle pressure. This caused some pain at first, certainly compared to the other side that had no pain at all. By about month 8 or 9 the pain was pretty much gone, though with my current over-train symptom it is mildly back - and I think it makes sense, if I have inflammed some tendons in a tight area, that I will feel this when I compress the area

There is an old but very interesting book I came across that taught me a fair bit about the rotator cuff anatomy and a few things to do to keep it happy - or alternatively, make it unhappy. I am not allowed to post links yet, but googling "epdf.pub The 7 minute rotator cuff solution" leads to an accessible version online.

This book explains the compression phenomenon I think you are describing and also points to particular exercises that it suggests people should avoid for long term rotator cuff health, e.g. upright row type exercises, where the arm is rotated inwards, and lifted into abduction, quite a similar motion to the wristwatch turn.

August 25th is only a few days away! Here's hoping for good news. You had a full thickness tear of supraspinatus on this shoulder, right? I don't recall, did you have a full supra tear on the other one too? Did the surgeon give you any advice about tear size, retraction or tissue quality?

Thanks for great post! Lots of good info here. Yes I had full thickness tears on both shoulders, and bicep tendonesis on both shoulders. First surgery required 7 anchors, the second one needed 5 anchors. Luckily the tissue was good quality and even at 55 the surgeon said he expects I'll recover well. I see him on Monday the 24th

[tkdnj]

Thanks for great post! Lots of good info here. Yes I had full thickness tears on both shoulders, and bicep tendonesis on both shoulders. First surgery required 7 anchors, the second one needed 5 anchors. Luckily the tissue was good quality and even at 55 the surgeon said he expects I'll recover well. I see him on Monday the 24th

Surgeon says everything looks good. I told him about my pain when I bring my elbow above shoulder height and turn my wrist so my thumb is pointing down (like I am looking at my wrist watch). He did some strength tests, then did a quick ultrasound. He said the repairs look good, but he did give me a cortisone shot because he saw some scar tissue on the ultrasound that can be causing my pain. He said the repaired tendon can be rubbing against the scar tissue when I do that movement.

[thefeeny]

Glad to hear TKDNJ, interesting that the surgeon popped out the ultrasound there and then. Mine hasn't done that [not sure I want him to do so either, imagine seeing the repair not looking so good!]. Here's hoping the pain completely disappears for you.

I'm having a very so-so week. I've not done anything for my shoulder for 1w. It still tingles, a bit like a very mild sunburn - it is certainly reducing, as in I can now sleep well, but it sure doesn't feel like the strong shoulder I had just a few days ago - it tingles and feels a bit ...lazier. It's very easy for me to freak out and get anxious about it. I have seen 2 different people who have examined me, strength, mobility etc and assured me it feels good, that this is normal and that there's nothing to worry about - or if there is something to worry about its very minor. It's one thing to hear that but another thing to feel it.

I have a plan that I've been given, keep resting it this week and re-start gradually loading it up next week, which I'll follow.

I wanted to ask about setbacks. Have you had setbacks that lasted for weeks? Have you had that annoying shoulder toothache go, come back a while and disappear again?

I don't know why but I feel more vulnerable having a setback at 10 months than at 6 months. Here's hoping for a more comfortable week next week.

[tkdnj]

Glad to hear TKDNJ, interesting that the surgeon popped out the ultrasound there and then. Mine hasn't done that [not sure I want him to do so either, imagine seeing the repair not looking so good!]. Here's hoping the pain completely disappears for you.

I'm having a very so-so week. I've not done anything for my shoulder for 1w. It still tingles, a bit like a very mild sunburn - it is certainly reducing, as in I can now sleep well, but it sure doesn't feel like the strong shoulder I had just a few days ago - it tingles and feels a bit ...lazier. It's very easy for me to freak out and get anxious about it. I have seen 2 different people who have examined me, strength, mobility etc and assured me it feels good, that this is normal and that there's nothing to worry about - or if there is something to worry about its very minor. It's one thing to hear that but another thing to feel it.

I have a plan that I've been given, keep resting it this week and re-start gradually loading it up next week, which I'll follow.

I wanted to ask about setbacks. Have you had setbacks that lasted for weeks? Have you had that annoying shoulder toothache go, come back a while and disappear again?

I don't know why but I feel more vulnerable having a setback at 10 months than at 6 months. Here's hoping for a more comfortable week next week.

Yes, I have had setbacks that lasted weeks (with this recent surgery and the rotator cuff repair I had 5 years ago on the other shoulder), which makes sense since the inflammation that is likely causing the pain would take time to resolve. The setback I have now has lasted like 6 weeks, but is slowly but surely feeling a bit better.

How is yours doing?

[thefeeny]

Yes, I have had setbacks that lasted weeks (with this recent surgery and the rotator cuff repair I had 5 years ago on the other shoulder), which makes sense since the inflammation that is likely causing the pain would take time to resolve. The setback I have now has lasted like 6 weeks, but is slowly but surely feeling a bit better.

How is yours doing?

Hi TKDNJ,

Thanks for reporting back - hope your shoulder is coming along too. I desparately hope mine is a temporary setback and that i can learn from how down I feel at the moment in the months and years ahead...

I'm not doing so well, quite interrupted sleep this week, it's been 3 weeks since my setback and I am fearful of activity that may set me back further. On the good news front I have full mobility and during the day am relatively pain free - it's only at night that the heat/burn/cold shoulder feeling comes along and disturbs me all night long.

I can say that my anxiety levels are off the charts - I've never been so anxious in my life, at times to the point of not being functional.

I am actually off to see my surgeon shortly and I hope to learn something positive. Will report back.

Updated: After visiting with surgeon...

I was strength tested and manipulated in every which way. At the conclusion of which, the surgeon stepped away and started laughing, saying "Well, I just read my notes of how difficult that cuff was to get back into place, and if you would have told me then, just after I operated on you, that 10 months later you'd be back in my clinic presenting as you just have, I would have been delighted."

He went on to say, "I can't fault you on any tests, in fact, if I bumped into someone randomly on the street and tested them with all these tests, I'd expect to find some shoulder issue in at least one these tests, but you have none, which is fantastic." ... (great news, that) ...

"but, that doesn't solve your current problem" ...

As it turns out he believes my problem is neural, something nerve related in the neck, which can totally cause all the tingles, hot, cold, burning sensations I am experiencing. Advice is that it may settle down in 3-4 weeks on its own and to build up slowly, taking it easy on the trap/neck area for now.

*big sigh of relief*

At least tonight, if I can't sleep again, I won't be fearing permanent structural damage in my shoulder!!

[tkdnj]

Hi TKDNJ,

Thanks for reporting back - hope your shoulder is coming along too. I desparately hope mine is a temporary setback and that i can learn from how down I feel at the moment in the months and years ahead...

I'm not doing so well, quite interrupted sleep this week, it's been 3 weeks since my setback and I am fearful of activity that may set me back further. On the good news front I have full mobility and during the day am relatively pain free - it's only at night that the heat/burn/cold shoulder feeling comes along and disturbs me all night long.

I can say that my anxiety levels are off the charts - I've never been so anxious in my life, at times to the point of not being functional.

I am actually off to see my surgeon shortly and I hope to learn something positive. Will report back.

Updated: After visiting with surgeon...

I was strength tested and manipulated in every which way. At the conclusion of which, the surgeon stepped away and started laughing, saying "Well, I just read my notes of how difficult that cuff was to get back into place, and if you would have told me then, just after I operated on you, that 10 months later you'd be back in my clinic presenting as you just have, I would have been delighted."

He went on to say, "I can't fault you on any tests, in fact, if I bumped into someone randomly on the street and tested them with all these tests, I'd expect to find some shoulder issue in at least one these tests, but you have none, which is fantastic." ... (great news, that) ...

"but, that doesn't solve your current problem" ...

As it turns out he believes my problem is neural, something nerve related in the neck, which can totally cause all the tingles, hot, cold, burning sensations I am experiencing. Advice is that it may settle down in 3-4 weeks on its own and to build up slowly, taking it easy on the trap/neck area for now.

*big sigh of relief*

At least tonight, if I can't sleep again, I won't be fearing permanent structural damage in my shoulder!!

Hey TheFeeny - any update on you? I hit the 7 month mark and feeling really good. Probably 75% there. Still sore when I sleep on it, but other than that my strength is about 75-90% back depending on the exercise.

[thefeeny]

Hey TheFeeny - any update on you? I hit the 7 month mark and feeling really good. Probably 75% there. Still sore when I sleep on it, but other than that my strength is about 75-90% back depending on the exercise.

Hi TKDNJ,

That's great to hear, well done and here's to keeping getting strong. I'm at the 11 month mark now.

I've not had a very good last 7 weeks really, since I had that setback at 9.5 months. I've seen my surgeon twice and been visiting with my physio a a fair bit. What I've been told many times now, by no fewer than 6 different experts that have all tested the shoulder, is that the shoulder is intact, the joint is strong and that as far as the shoulder structure goes, nobody can find anything wrong, nothing major, not even anything minor... I have perfect mobility, scapula rhythm and control - in fact I've been told it moves better than my non-surgery shoulder.

Yet for 7 weeks now I am feeling constant tingling/burning, bordering on mild pain around the point of the shoulder, trap/neck deltoid. There are also additional pops and clicks that definitely were not there prior to my setback. These extra sounds were explained to me as being common as the joint gets more mobility over time, and that what probably happened as I was hanging for a bar or something is that I did get a bit a bit overloaded, found some more mobility, something then rubbed somewhere and perhaps I stretched/irritated a nerve.

The tingling / burning I am told is neural/nerve related. I have been fixating on it far too much and am quite sensitive to it now. Some of the sensations remind me of the original rotator cuff pain before surgery, but it's definitely NOT the toothache in the arm or the deep muscle aches I remember having whilst I had the full thickness tear.

I may have some minor nerve damage that is causing these sensory issues, which I think are slowly getting better - as the heat in the burn is slowly lessening, and the nerve issue may also be contributing to sending my brain mixed messages, like, my tissue damage is greater than it actually is.

Nothing is better for healing than a positive attitude, which I had no problem with throughout my recovery, but after 7w of setback this is wearing me down! It has been on my mind a great deal and has affected my sleep - not helpful and I remain very anxious. Anxiety only increases my sensitivity to things that I may not have otherwise ever noticed. I have been told that it may even be likely that many of the sensations I am now feeling could be directly related to my anxiety! So, I have to go get that and my sleep fixed.

Training wise, I've de-loaded somewhat, and am maintaining (under PT supervision). I can get through my workouts without what I'd call deep pain, but I do feel increased discomfort, and sensory issues I suppose I should call pain - it's hard to describe properly - and is unpleasant, as is my constant fixation on the arm..

I think I am seeing small steps forward, but my arm overall does not feel normal, to me it feels like it moves and behaves differently. It is easy at times to doubt the diagnosis I've been given. I've been told that mentally my brain will catch up and to expect a resolution. Here's hoping that comes soon.

[tkdnj]

Hi TKDNJ,

That's great to hear, well done and here's to keeping getting strong. I'm at the 11 month mark now.

I've not had a very good last 7 weeks really, since I had that setback at 9.5 months. I've seen my surgeon twice and been visiting with my physio a a fair bit. What I've been told many times now, by no fewer than 6 different experts that have all tested the shoulder, is that the shoulder is intact, the joint is strong and that as far as the shoulder structure goes, nobody can find anything wrong, nothing major, not even anything minor... I have perfect mobility, scapula rhythm and control - in fact I've been told it moves better than my non-surgery shoulder.

Yet for 7 weeks now I am feeling constant tingling/burning, bordering on mild pain around the point of the shoulder, trap/neck deltoid. There are also additional pops and clicks that definitely were not there prior to my setback. These extra sounds were explained to me as being common as the joint gets more mobility over time, and that what probably happened as I was hanging for a bar or something is that I did get a bit a bit overloaded, found some more mobility, something then rubbed somewhere and perhaps I stretched/irritated a nerve.

The tingling / burning I am told is neural/nerve related. I have been fixating on it far too much and am quite sensitive to it now. Some of the sensations remind me of the original rotator cuff pain before surgery, but it's definitely NOT the toothache in the arm or the deep muscle aches I remember having whilst I had the full thickness tear.

I may have some minor nerve damage that is causing these sensory issues, which I think are slowly getting better - as the heat in the burn is slowly lessening, and the nerve issue may also be contributing to sending my brain mixed messages, like, my tissue damage is greater than it actually is.

Nothing is better for healing than a positive attitude, which I had no problem with throughout my recovery, but after 7w of setback this is wearing me down! It has been on my mind a great deal and has affected my sleep - not helpful and I remain very anxious. Anxiety only increases my sensitivity to things that I may not have otherwise ever noticed. I have been told that it may even be likely that many of the sensations I am now feeling could be directly related to my anxiety! So, I have to go get that and my sleep fixed.

Training wise, I've de-loaded somewhat, and am maintaining (under PT supervision). I can get through my workouts without what I'd call deep pain, but I do feel increased discomfort, and sensory issues I suppose I should call pain - it's hard to describe properly - and is unpleasant, as is my constant fixation on the arm..

I think I am seeing small steps forward, but my arm overall does not feel normal, to me it feels like it moves and behaves differently. It is easy at times to doubt the diagnosis I've been given. I've been told that mentally my brain will catch up and to expect a resolution. Here's hoping that comes soon.

I wouldn't worry, here's some reasons why:
1) here is quote from me 1 YEAR after surgery: "Been just about 1 year since the surgery: I assumed the shoulder would be "perfect" now but it's not. It's OK, but not perfect. Surgeon thinks since I had so much done (7 anchors) it is very possible it will take longer (still have issues with bench pressing movement and some soreness)"
2) This is an involved surgery; This time around I was healing great until 5 months out, then the shoulder started to ache (almost like pre surgery), I wound up getting a cortisone shot at 6 months out, that was about 7 weeks ago, it feels ok but not as good as it felt 4 months out (doesn't seem logical, does it?). I think there are ups and downs with the recovery as we do more and as the nerves heal
3) I get off and on pain in my bicep that had the tenodesis in the latest surgery. It definitely feels like a setback, but I don't believe it is. I believe it's part of this healing process.
4) I totally believe your anxiety and focus on the issue can be exasperating the symptoms. I had some physical issues in the past that were triggered by my worry about them

Give it time, I know it seems like it will never be right, but it will. My bicep is aching as I type this. It felt really good 3 months ago! How can it feel worse now??? The answer is for those very same reasons your doctors told you. Remember, the first time around I couldn't bench press for 18 months after the surgery! I figured after a year went by I would never be able to. And then 6 months later it was fine. Hang in there!

[thefeeny]

I wouldn't worry, here's some reasons why:
1) here is quote from me 1 YEAR after surgery: "Been just about 1 year since the surgery: I assumed the shoulder would be "perfect" now but it's not. It's OK, but not perfect. Surgeon thinks since I had so much done (7 anchors) it is very possible it will take longer (still have issues with bench pressing movement and some soreness)"
2) This is an involved surgery; This time around I was healing great until 5 months out, then the shoulder started to ache (almost like pre surgery), I wound up getting a cortisone shot at 6 months out, that was about 7 weeks ago, it feels ok but not as good as it felt 4 months out (doesn't seem logical, does it?). I think there are ups and downs with the recovery as we do more and as the nerves heal
3) I get off and on pain in my bicep that had the tenodesis in the latest surgery. It definitely feels like a setback, but I don't believe it is. I believe it's part of this healing process.
4) I totally believe your anxiety and focus on the issue can be exasperating the symptoms. I had some physical issues in the past that were triggered by my worry about them

Give it time, I know it seems like it will never be right, but it will. My bicep is aching as I type this. It felt really good 3 months ago! How can it feel worse now??? The answer is for those very same reasons your doctors told you. Remember, the first time around I couldn't bench press for 18 months after the surgery! I figured after a year went by I would never be able to. And then 6 months later it was fine. Hang in there!

Hi tkdnj,

Thanks for such encouraging words. I really appreciate them. I just tried to PM you but I don't seem to have permission, or perhaps the feature doesn't work... Bugger.

[thefeeny]

Hi tkdnj, I did get a message from you (thanks) which I replied to, though I can't see any evidence of my reply being successful when I look in the sent items folder (which remains empty).

I'm not sure if the forum rules want new users to reach a certain post limit before allowing for PMs to be sent, or if I am just having a technical issue.

Let me know if you received my response, if this isn't working maybe we can go to email instead (if that's OK with you, perhaps you could PM me a way to email you?)

[tkdnj]

just an update... 10 months out from my 2nd rotator cuff surgery (I had the OTHER shoulder done 5 years ago). My shoulder feels 100% back to normal now. It took about 6 months to be able go hard, but ten months for it to feel perfect. Those going through it now, be confident, be patient, as hard as it is to believe, you will be back to normal. By the way, it took about 18 months when I had the first shoulder done for it to feel perfect.

[R0IDS]

Back in September I played some softball and felt like I threw out my shoulder trying to throw a guy out.
Two days later I went to bench and I felt a pop as I unracked the weight. my Dr thought it was a torn labrum from the MRI but when he cut me open the labrum was fine but the long head tendon had been torn. Surgery was fine, the worst part was waking up and dry heaving for 10 minutes. The anaesthesia was crazy.

I've read the entire thread and it has really helped calm my nerves. My two biggest worries were that my bicep would be deformed and that I might not be able to bench press ever again. Now my biggest worry is that I'll fall or that one of my kids will yank on my along and I'll hear a pop.

My first post surgery appointment with my doctor is tomorrow. I'll try to come back here periodically to report on my recovery.

I'd love and appreciate any advice!

[tkdnj]

Back in September I played some softball and felt like I threw out my shoulder trying to throw a guy out.
Two days later I went to bench and I felt a pop as I unracked the weight. my Dr thought it was a torn labrum from the MRI but when he cut me open the labrum was fine but the long head tendon had been torn. Surgery was fine, the worst part was waking up and dry heaving for 10 minutes. The anaesthesia was crazy.

I've read the entire thread and it has really helped calm my nerves. My two biggest worries were that my bicep would be deformed and that I might not be able to bench press ever again. Now my biggest worry is that I'll fall or that one of my kids will yank on my along and I'll hear a pop.

My first post surgery appointment with my doctor is tomorrow. I'll try to come back here periodically to report on my recovery.

I'd love and appreciate any advice!

Your surgery was 2020 or 2021? Your title says "Tenodesis Surgery Jan 14, 2020"

[R0IDS]

Your surgery was 2020 or 2021? Your title says "Tenodesis Surgery Jan 14, 2020"

Sorry about that. Surgery was 2021. I'm just about 2 weeks post surgery shoulder is feeling good, but my bicep hurts and is shrinking!!

Still don't start PT for another week.

[iabs]

Some of you guys are beyond bad ass going through surgery and rehab. Speaks volumes about the human spirit.

I’m a tennis player who’s been dealing with chronic shoulder pain when serving for the last 4 years. I am a stubborn mofo so I play through the pain. Earlier last year I injured my shoulder and took a long break of around 3 maybe 4 months without playing and came back to play slowly again, no serving only ground strokes and volleys, then I started serving again and there was some pain, but not the excruciating kind I experienced at the beginning of the year. One day while donning my jacket I made an abrupt external rotation motion and felt a lot of pain, 3 days later I played a match and could barely finished.

Long story short I got an MRI about a month ago and the findings were “Abnormal increased T2 signal intensity noted within the supraspinatus tendon indicative of tendinopathy and intrasubstance partial tearing.”

So, now I’m here waiting and not knowing how to proceed, there’s no pertinent information online for my specific case or situation. I’d like to know what my prognosis is.

[tkdnj]

Sorry about that. Surgery was 2021. I'm just about 2 weeks post surgery shoulder is feeling good, but my bicep hurts and is shrinking!!

Still don't start PT for another week.

My only advice at this point is follow EXACTLY what the surgeon and Physical Therapist says. As you know, bicep tenodesis was included in both of my shoulder surgeries. It's a long, tedious recovery process, but should be VERY successful in the end. By the way, my biceps do not look exactly the same as they did before the surgeries, but pretty darn close. And it's not noticeable unless hit a bicep shot (my right arm has a bit less of a peak than it used to, but that surgery was 6 years ago, and that shoulder and bicep tendon was in worse shape than the more recent one, and my surgeon said they re-attach differently now. My left bicep, the latest surgery, has a great peak!). As far as strength goes, it's just about all back, but I will add that although I work out with balls to the walls intensity, I make sure I control the weight at all times, especially on the negative, which results in using SLIGHTLY lower weight.

[tkdnj]

Some of you guys are beyond bad ass going through surgery and rehab. Speaks volumes about the human spirit.

I’m a tennis player who’s been dealing with chronic shoulder pain when serving for the last 4 years. I am a stubborn mofo so I play through the pain. Earlier last year I injured my shoulder and took a long break of around 3 maybe 4 months without playing and came back to play slowly again, no serving only ground strokes and volleys, then I started serving again and there was some pain, but not the excruciating kind I experienced at the beginning of the year. One day while donning my jacket I made an abrupt external rotation motion and felt a lot of pain, 3 days later I played a match and could barely finished.

Long story short I got an MRI about a month ago and the findings were “Abnormal increased T2 signal intensity noted within the supraspinatus tendon indicative of tendinopathy and intrasubstance partial tearing.”

So, now I’m here waiting and not knowing how to proceed, there’s no pertinent information online for my specific case or situation. I’d like to know what my prognosis is.

Unless you're a doctor, you're not expected to interpret an MRI. What did the doctor say? Does he recommend surgery? If so, get it over with, and get back to feeling good again, and doing the things you like without pain. Keep us posted

[R0IDS]

Thanks for the advice! I'll come back here periodically to give updates.

My only advice at this point is follow EXACTLY what the surgeon and Physical Therapist says. As you know, bicep tenodesis was included in both of my shoulder surgeries. It's a long, tedious recovery process, but should be VERY successful in the end. By the way, my biceps do not look exactly the same as they did before the surgeries, but pretty darn close. And it's not noticeable unless hit a bicep shot (my right arm has a bit less of a peak than it used to, but that surgery was 6 years ago, and that shoulder and bicep tendon was in worse shape than the more recent one, and my surgeon said they re-attach differently now. My left bicep, the latest surgery, has a great peak!). As far as strength goes, it's just about all back, but I will add that although I work out with balls to the walls intensity, I make sure I control the weight at all times, especially on the negative, which results in using SLIGHTLY lower weight.