Rotator cuff surgery - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #16 09-04-2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Concerning s-in-law's surgery, I'm not exactly sure how it was done -- it sounded excruciating so I didn't pay close attention! I think the surgeon took the head of the muscle and tucked it around the other side of a bone and screwed it inn place. Formal PT was minimal. I think in two months he had full use. Doc said if he did anything that hurts -- STOP. Think of a better way to get it done. S-in-L took that to heart and is doing well. I understand that eventually the head of the muscle will attach biologically to the bone.

This. OMG this. A small analogy: When I'm procuring the use of my iPhone hands free ear bud and speaker, this while fishing it out from under something on my carseat, I don't grab one end and yank. It can pull off one of the buds in a heartbeat. Move the stuff off of it and lift gently.

I have what your SiL had and then some I think. Part of some other tendons were torn around the socket opening. Allowed some bone on bone action to take place.

My understanding is that the tendon will reattach to bone but only if surgically held in proximity. The biceps injury is referred to as "rupture of long head of biceps with distal retraction." Distal meaning "situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment." The natural tension of the muscle prevents both ends from meeting. Word I've read is that 5 or 6 months after the injury is about as long as you can realistically hope for a good outcome. My surgery was done at the 3 month mark - 12 weeks to the day.

cmac2012 · #17 09-04-2016, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 865sp300e

I have had five rotator cuff procedures (four on right, one on left).

As others have advised follow your surgeon and physical therapist instructions.

Physical therapy is extremely important, if you perform the therapy to the letter you will have good results. Be patient with your recovery as it can take 4 to 6 months.

Wow. That's some experience there. I read one person say that it could be as much as 9 months til you feel back to normal.

About midway down the page are post operative instructions. Seems a tad intimidating. OTOH don't want things to atrophy from disuse.

BTW, the box before the 'discard immobilizer/sling' line above is not checked. I shrank the photo a bit.

cmac2012 · #18 09-04-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

What did your shoulder problems start off as?

I guess you're asking me. Remember this post?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/378446-overweight-veteran-turns-his-life-around.html#post3605788

A few days later I lifted something halfway heavy, maybe 20 pounds, I knew my arm hurt a little bit but I thought it was a pulled muscle and I could play through the pain. Oops. Not a good idea. I felt something tearing and pulling out of place in my shoulder, upper biceps area on my right arm. It's a feeling I don't want to have again if I can help it.

I wish I had moved on this sooner, but I think I'll be OK.