Getting older sucks - off to see a shoulder specialist - surgery it is (1 Viewer)

[moleculo]

The doctor seems to think it's carpel tunnel. I don't think so because it's the same side as shoulder injury and appeared a few weeks afterwards.

I *think*, without knowing the first thing about anatomy, that the cuff injury allows my shoulder to move put of where it is supposed to be - more towards my chest - and that is putting pressure on a nerve. The PT said that is what my shoulder is doing and I've noticed if I really stretch out my pecs I feel something in the thumb.

Here's my question, that I will be asking my ortho and PT - at what point do we throw in the towel and go for surgery?

Would be a little odd for carpal tunnel only in the thumb and a pretty big coincidence for it to coincide with a shoulder injury. There's not really a nerve around the rotator cuff that would only affect sensation to the thumb either.

Without knowing any of the intricate details, I'd say at least a couple months of good therapy before starting to consider surgery. Not therapy where they stick you in a corner using therabands. Should be a lot of stretching and general strengthening at home, while doing things with you in the clinic that you're unable to do on your own. Recovery isn't always immediate. You're looking for improvements in different forms. Improved range of motion. Improved function. Decreased pain is nice but isn't always immediate.

Well, it's been a good month, a little more. Therapy was as you described. I thought she was pretty good, but making little to no progress. Feels like we are going backwards. More pain (because I've been using the joint more in therapy), but any gain in range of motion is fleeting. I think part of the problem is it's been a year since the injury.

PT recommended surgery may be the best choice. I have an appt with the best shoulder guy in town in a few weeks, we'll see how that goes.

On the thumb: working theory is that with the cuff being damaged, my shoulder sits forward in the socket and pinches a nerve. We did a lot of stretching & strengthening to get it back and when I focus on that, I do have improved motion.

Had my surgery today. Doc said rotator cuff was fine, problem is bone spurs and a frozen muscle. I don't understand what that means except for a much shorter recovery.

like a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

I think this is it. I haven't spoken with my Dr yet - followup visit is in couple weeks, but this is what's on the note to the PT.

I think maybe my rotator cuff injury caused the bone spurs. Continued pain stopped me from using my shoulder, which caused the muscle to seize up. @flapgreen, does that make sense?

Regardless, I will be glad for this to go away and get back to full health. I was on a good workout routine before, involving lots of pushups & pullups, but haven't really exercised since (beyond walking/hiking), and I've gotten fat and doughy. Looking forward to getting back in shape.

Never heard of frozen muscle, but frozen shoulder is a thing but not something that is usually operated on. It's when the shoulder freezes up from lack of use and is almost impossible to move past a certain point. Really hard to say what the doc meant by that. I'm interested to hear what that means.

Yeah, it sounds like a misdiagnosis. "Capsule release" is what was written on the PT script. In hindsight, maybe surgery wasn't necessary but the Dr said he wouldn't know exactly what was going on until he got in there.

Ah OK. Then a capsular release would mean it probably was a frozen shoulder, which still isn't performed that frequently on frozen shoulders. Big difference in that and decompression for calcification or a rotator cuff repair.

yeah, i’m not trying to bust molecule’s hump, but the doc here sounds a bit surgery centric. i mean, if you had an mri, with or without contrast, he should know if the cuff is in need of repair. operating on a frozen shoulder is pretty unusual and drastic. my wife has had FS and got it to loosen with some US guided cortisone shots and exercise over time. i had my shoulder scoped due to my acromion scraping the cuff, causing an impingement. i didn’t need a cuff repair, i needed the acromion shaved a bit. i only say this from experience in that the rehab from a shoulder op is long and tedious. seems like he shot first and asked questions later….::i am hopeful this at least provides relief.

It's possible. I did see two ortho Drs and did therapy twice - this wasn't just a jump into it deal. My second PT suggested my 2nd Dr, who did the surgery. She said he's the best shoulder guy in town, he is even the team Dr for the Panthers.

I'm very curious why the frozen shoulder wasn't the original diagnosis.

 

[flapgreen]

The doctor seems to think it's carpel tunnel. I don't think so because it's the same side as shoulder injury and appeared a few weeks afterwards.

I *think*, without knowing the first thing about anatomy, that the cuff injury allows my shoulder to move put of where it is supposed to be - more towards my chest - and that is putting pressure on a nerve. The PT said that is what my shoulder is doing and I've noticed if I really stretch out my pecs I feel something in the thumb.

Here's my question, that I will be asking my ortho and PT - at what point do we throw in the towel and go for surgery?

Would be a little odd for carpal tunnel only in the thumb and a pretty big coincidence for it to coincide with a shoulder injury. There's not really a nerve around the rotator cuff that would only affect sensation to the thumb either.

Without knowing any of the intricate details, I'd say at least a couple months of good therapy before starting to consider surgery. Not therapy where they stick you in a corner using therabands. Should be a lot of stretching and general strengthening at home, while doing things with you in the clinic that you're unable to do on your own. Recovery isn't always immediate. You're looking for improvements in different forms. Improved range of motion. Improved function. Decreased pain is nice but isn't always immediate.

Well, it's been a good month, a little more. Therapy was as you described. I thought she was pretty good, but making little to no progress. Feels like we are going backwards. More pain (because I've been using the joint more in therapy), but any gain in range of motion is fleeting. I think part of the problem is it's been a year since the injury.

PT recommended surgery may be the best choice. I have an appt with the best shoulder guy in town in a few weeks, we'll see how that goes.

On the thumb: working theory is that with the cuff being damaged, my shoulder sits forward in the socket and pinches a nerve. We did a lot of stretching & strengthening to get it back and when I focus on that, I do have improved motion.

Had my surgery today. Doc said rotator cuff was fine, problem is bone spurs and a frozen muscle. I don't understand what that means except for a much shorter recovery.

like a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

I think this is it. I haven't spoken with my Dr yet - followup visit is in couple weeks, but this is what's on the note to the PT.

I think maybe my rotator cuff injury caused the bone spurs. Continued pain stopped me from using my shoulder, which caused the muscle to seize up. @flapgreen, does that make sense?

Regardless, I will be glad for this to go away and get back to full health. I was on a good workout routine before, involving lots of pushups & pullups, but haven't really exercised since (beyond walking/hiking), and I've gotten fat and doughy. Looking forward to getting back in shape.

Never heard of frozen muscle, but frozen shoulder is a thing but not something that is usually operated on. It's when the shoulder freezes up from lack of use and is almost impossible to move past a certain point. Really hard to say what the doc meant by that. I'm interested to hear what that means.

Yeah, it sounds like a misdiagnosis. "Capsule release" is what was written on the PT script. In hindsight, maybe surgery wasn't necessary but the Dr said he wouldn't know exactly what was going on until he got in there.

Ah OK. Then a capsular release would mean it probably was a frozen shoulder, which still isn't performed that frequently on frozen shoulders. Big difference in that and decompression for calcification or a rotator cuff repair.

yeah, i’m not trying to bust molecule’s hump, but the doc here sounds a bit surgery centric. i mean, if you had an mri, with or without contrast, he should know if the cuff is in need of repair. operating on a frozen shoulder is pretty unusual and drastic. my wife has had FS and got it to loosen with some US guided cortisone shots and exercise over time. i had my shoulder scoped due to my acromion scraping the cuff, causing an impingement. i didn’t need a cuff repair, i needed the acromion shaved a bit. i only say this from experience in that the rehab from a shoulder op is long and tedious. seems like he shot first and asked questions later….::i am hopeful this at least provides relief.

It's possible. I did see two ortho Drs and did therapy twice - this wasn't just a jump into it deal. My second PT suggested my 2nd Dr, who did the surgery. She said he's the best shoulder guy in town, he is even the team Dr for the Panthers.

I'm very curious why the frozen shoulder wasn't the original diagnosis.

Sounds like you exhausted conservative measures and surgery was the last resort then. Sometimes, it happens that's way. Hard to say in the diagnoses, but maybe it wasn't frozen and first and then it just became stiffer and frozen after you quit moving it as much due to pain.

 

[moleculo]

Sounds like you exhausted conservative measures and surgery was the last resort then. Sometimes, it happens that's way. Hard to say in the diagnoses, but maybe it wasn't frozen and first and then it just became stiffer and frozen after you quit moving it as much due to pain.

That's my theory. My PT was telling me to not work thru pain, thinking it was about rehabbing a torn cuff. But if it was about thawing it out, that's the opposite of what I should have been doing...right?

 

[snogger]

I had rotator cuff surgery on both of my shoulders....right one in 2018 ...rotator was 95% torn,,,ended up with frozen shoulder and had second surgery,,,,just had left shoulder done in January and had second surgery 2 weeks ago for frozen shoulder on that one toooo

Seems "frozen shoulder" is more common than I thought..
Surgery was back in April, and up until a month ago recovery was going great.

But Plateaued and no matter what the PT tries, she couldn't get me past the ROM limitation.
Saw doc today, he is ordering MRI .. He thinks he'll just need to do a manipulation to break up scar tissue..
But wants an MRI to make sure it didn't tear again..

Here's to hoping no 2nd surgery

 

[flapgreen]

Sounds like you exhausted conservative measures and surgery was the last resort then. Sometimes, it happens that's way. Hard to say in the diagnoses, but maybe it wasn't frozen and first and then it just became stiffer and frozen after you quit moving it as much due to pain.

That's my theory. My PT was telling me to not work thru pain, thinking it was about rehabbing a torn cuff. But if it was about thawing it out, that's the opposite of what I should have been doing...right?

I actually take a more conservative approach to frozen shoulders than rotator cuff injuries, but it varies depending on the case. You can only push a frozen shoulder so much before inflamming the capsule. It typically takes well over a year to get your range of motion back, even with therapy. Rotator cuff recovery doesn't usually take that long, but it depends on the type and severity of the tear.

 

[flapgreen]

I had rotator cuff surgery on both of my shoulders....right one in 2018 ...rotator was 95% torn,,,ended up with frozen shoulder and had second surgery,,,,just had left shoulder done in January and had second surgery 2 weeks ago for frozen shoulder on that one toooo

Seems "frozen shoulder" is more common than I thought..
Surgery was back in April, and up until a month ago recovery was going great.

But Plateaued and no matter what the PT tries, she couldn't get me past the ROM limitation.
Saw doc today, he is ordering MRI .. He thinks he'll just need to do a manipulation to break up scar tissue..
But wants an MRI to make sure it didn't tear again..

Here's to hoping no 2nd surgery

A second surgery or a manipulation is something I would exercise great caution in considering. Frozen shoulders go through specific phases during a recovery and you can only push it so much. Typically takes 16 to 24 months to get full range.

 

[Judge Smails]

Have been doing PT religiously. 4+ months since surgery. Almost have full range of motion and am chipping/putting. Light at the end of the tunnel. And zero pain. Heal up well, everyone

 

[snogger]

I had rotator cuff surgery on both of my shoulders....right one in 2018 ...rotator was 95% torn,,,ended up with frozen shoulder and had second surgery,,,,just had left shoulder done in January and had second surgery 2 weeks ago for frozen shoulder on that one toooo

Seems "frozen shoulder" is more common than I thought..
Surgery was back in April, and up until a month ago recovery was going great.

But Plateaued and no matter what the PT tries, she couldn't get me past the ROM limitation.
Saw doc today, he is ordering MRI .. He thinks he'll just need to do a manipulation to break up scar tissue..
But wants an MRI to make sure it didn't tear again..

Here's to hoping no 2nd surgery

A second surgery or a manipulation is something I would exercise great caution in considering. Frozen shoulders go through specific phases during a recovery and you can only push it so much. Typically takes 16 to 24 months to get full range.

Full surgery was 7 months ago now, with a mesh implant added due to fraying of muscle tissue.
Problem is my ROM hasn't improved in over a month. The same "block" point of reaching up, or out with added pain hasn't changed..
I expected a long recovery, but also listen to my PT and doctor when they show concern that there has been no improvement the last 4 to 5 weeks.

In fact, I've had more "pain days" in the last two weeks, then I had the previous 6 weeks.
If I felt there had been even small improvement over the last month, I'd continue the PT once a week plus the at home exercises.

But reaching a point of disappointment/discouragement from lack of progress

 

[snogger]

Have been doing PT religiously. 4+ months since surgery. Almost have full range of motion and am chipping/putting. Light at the end of the tunnel. And zero pain. Heal up well, everyone

Congrats!!!!

 

[flapgreen]

I had rotator cuff surgery on both of my shoulders....right one in 2018 ...rotator was 95% torn,,,ended up with frozen shoulder and had second surgery,,,,just had left shoulder done in January and had second surgery 2 weeks ago for frozen shoulder on that one toooo

Seems "frozen shoulder" is more common than I thought..
Surgery was back in April, and up until a month ago recovery was going great.

But Plateaued and no matter what the PT tries, she couldn't get me past the ROM limitation.
Saw doc today, he is ordering MRI .. He thinks he'll just need to do a manipulation to break up scar tissue..
But wants an MRI to make sure it didn't tear again..

Here's to hoping no 2nd surgery

A second surgery or a manipulation is something I would exercise great caution in considering. Frozen shoulders go through specific phases during a recovery and you can only push it so much. Typically takes 16 to 24 months to get full range.

Full surgery was 7 months ago now, with a mesh implant added due to fraying of muscle tissue.
Problem is my ROM hasn't improved in over a month. The same "block" point of reaching up, or out with added pain hasn't changed..
I expected a long recovery, but also listen to my PT and doctor when they show concern that there has been no improvement the last 4 to 5 weeks.

In fact, I've had more "pain days" in the last two weeks, then I had the previous 6 weeks.
If I felt there had been even small improvement over the last month, I'd continue the PT once a week plus the at home exercises.

But reaching a point of disappointment/discouragement from lack of progress

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned with surgeries. It can be very discouraging and disappointing.

 

[snogger]

@flapgreen
Here was his report after todays visit... Maybe you can "translate" what he means by "adhesive capsulitis"

Status post left rotator cuff repair with bio inductive patch. Patient was doing well but seems to have lost some motion at this point. Overall picture is that of adhesive capsulitis. Question integrity of the rotator cuff. We will obtain an MRI to study this make further recommendations based on that imaging.

 

[flapgreen]

@flapgreen
Here was his report after todays visit... Maybe you can "translate" what he means by "adhesive capsulitis"

Status post left rotator cuff repair with bio inductive patch. Patient was doing well but seems to have lost some motion at this point. Overall picture is that of adhesive capsulitis. Question integrity of the rotator cuff. We will obtain an MRI to study this make further recommendations based on that imaging.

Adhesive capsulitis is the medical term for frozen shoulder. Also appears that he's concerned the repair might have failed or retorn and is doing an MRI to see.

 

[snogger]

@flapgreen
Here was his report after todays visit... Maybe you can "translate" what he means by "adhesive capsulitis"

Status post left rotator cuff repair with bio inductive patch. Patient was doing well but seems to have lost some motion at this point. Overall picture is that of adhesive capsulitis. Question integrity of the rotator cuff. We will obtain an MRI to study this make further recommendations based on that imaging.

Adhesive capsulitis is the medical term for frozen shoulder. Also appears that he's concerned the repair might have failed or retorn and is doing an MRI to see.

Figured as much regarding technical term for frozen shoulder.. And yea, he mentioned at the visit he wanted to make sure there wasn't a retear or a problem with the implant. Once the MRI gets done we'll meet to discuss the findings and decide next steps..
At this point hoping just scar tissue causing frozen shoulder requiring a manipulation and more PT and not another surgery.

 

[flapgreen]

@flapgreen
Here was his report after todays visit... Maybe you can "translate" what he means by "adhesive capsulitis"

Status post left rotator cuff repair with bio inductive patch. Patient was doing well but seems to have lost some motion at this point. Overall picture is that of adhesive capsulitis. Question integrity of the rotator cuff. We will obtain an MRI to study this make further recommendations based on that imaging.

Adhesive capsulitis is the medical term for frozen shoulder. Also appears that he's concerned the repair might have failed or retorn and is doing an MRI to see.

Figured as much regarding technical term for frozen shoulder.. And yea, he mentioned at the visit he wanted to make sure there wasn't a retear or a problem with the implant. Once the MRI gets done we'll meet to discuss the findings and decide next steps..
At this point hoping just scar tissue causing frozen shoulder requiring a manipulation and more PT and not another surgery.

That would be a good outcome. Recovery isn't always a straight line.

 

[Judge Smails]

For what it’s worth I was at a plateau as well with my right arm tucked to my side and my therapist pushing in the “W” position. Doc told me if it didn’t improve the last recourse was for him to manually manipulate it and then have it back in the sling. That sounded terrible. Everything changed when I started with strength exercises. The resistance bands really increased my range of motion in every direction. Much better than PT just forcing it. Hope you don’t have a retear. Heard that happens 30+% of the time.

I take it your PT dug in to release tightness due to scar tissue? She went medieval on me which paid off. Best of luck

 

[snogger]

For what it’s worth I was at a plateau as well with my right arm tucked to my side and my therapist pushing in the “W” position. Doc told me if it didn’t improve the last recourse was for him to manually manipulate it and then have it back in the sling. That sounded terrible. Everything changed when I started with strength exercises. The resistance bands really increased my range of motion in every direction. Much better than PT just forcing it. Hope you don’t have a retear. Heard that happens 30+% of the time.

I take it your PT dug in to release tightness due to scar tissue? She went medieval on me which paid off. Best of luck

Yea, She has pushed as far as she could.. Brought me to "tapping" out a few times..

Every week was new strengthen attempts, new stretches, new take home exercises.
I recall one day going in being stiffer than normal and had lost some ROM.. She pulled, stretched and maneuvered me to a point that I was able to get back to the "block" area.

Biggest know for me is that I had finally gotten to a point where, with a little straining, I could place glasses from the dishwasher to the 2nd shelve.
5 weeks later and I still have to strain to get glasses to that area.

 

[moleculo]

The doctor seems to think it's carpel tunnel. I don't think so because it's the same side as shoulder injury and appeared a few weeks afterwards.

I *think*, without knowing the first thing about anatomy, that the cuff injury allows my shoulder to move put of where it is supposed to be - more towards my chest - and that is putting pressure on a nerve. The PT said that is what my shoulder is doing and I've noticed if I really stretch out my pecs I feel something in the thumb.

Here's my question, that I will be asking my ortho and PT - at what point do we throw in the towel and go for surgery?

Would be a little odd for carpal tunnel only in the thumb and a pretty big coincidence for it to coincide with a shoulder injury. There's not really a nerve around the rotator cuff that would only affect sensation to the thumb either.

Without knowing any of the intricate details, I'd say at least a couple months of good therapy before starting to consider surgery. Not therapy where they stick you in a corner using therabands. Should be a lot of stretching and general strengthening at home, while doing things with you in the clinic that you're unable to do on your own. Recovery isn't always immediate. You're looking for improvements in different forms. Improved range of motion. Improved function. Decreased pain is nice but isn't always immediate.

Well, it's been a good month, a little more. Therapy was as you described. I thought she was pretty good, but making little to no progress. Feels like we are going backwards. More pain (because I've been using the joint more in therapy), but any gain in range of motion is fleeting. I think part of the problem is it's been a year since the injury.

PT recommended surgery may be the best choice. I have an appt with the best shoulder guy in town in a few weeks, we'll see how that goes.

On the thumb: working theory is that with the cuff being damaged, my shoulder sits forward in the socket and pinches a nerve. We did a lot of stretching & strengthening to get it back and when I focus on that, I do have improved motion.

Had my surgery today. Doc said rotator cuff was fine, problem is bone spurs and a frozen muscle. I don't understand what that means except for a much shorter recovery.

so, what exactly did they operate on?

My shoulder.

well, if he didn’t repair the cuff, did he shave the spurs? was this an acromion issue? was this a scope?

Honestly, not sure. He told my wife as I was/am still groggy.

Sounds like a subacromial decompression and maybe a distal clavicle resection.

good call!

I don't have the notes from my Dr yet, but I did get word from my PT. Here's what was done:

subacromial decompression
osteotomy clavicle
capsular release

The rotator cuff was damaged but not enough to require surgical repair.

so far, PT is easy. Working on motion on the shoulder but not engaging any muscles. Honestly, it feels great when she manipulates my arm above my head - like, my arm hasn't moved like that in a year and a half.

 

[flapgreen]

The doctor seems to think it's carpel tunnel. I don't think so because it's the same side as shoulder injury and appeared a few weeks afterwards.

I *think*, without knowing the first thing about anatomy, that the cuff injury allows my shoulder to move put of where it is supposed to be - more towards my chest - and that is putting pressure on a nerve. The PT said that is what my shoulder is doing and I've noticed if I really stretch out my pecs I feel something in the thumb.

Here's my question, that I will be asking my ortho and PT - at what point do we throw in the towel and go for surgery?

Would be a little odd for carpal tunnel only in the thumb and a pretty big coincidence for it to coincide with a shoulder injury. There's not really a nerve around the rotator cuff that would only affect sensation to the thumb either.

Without knowing any of the intricate details, I'd say at least a couple months of good therapy before starting to consider surgery. Not therapy where they stick you in a corner using therabands. Should be a lot of stretching and general strengthening at home, while doing things with you in the clinic that you're unable to do on your own. Recovery isn't always immediate. You're looking for improvements in different forms. Improved range of motion. Improved function. Decreased pain is nice but isn't always immediate.

Well, it's been a good month, a little more. Therapy was as you described. I thought she was pretty good, but making little to no progress. Feels like we are going backwards. More pain (because I've been using the joint more in therapy), but any gain in range of motion is fleeting. I think part of the problem is it's been a year since the injury.

PT recommended surgery may be the best choice. I have an appt with the best shoulder guy in town in a few weeks, we'll see how that goes.

On the thumb: working theory is that with the cuff being damaged, my shoulder sits forward in the socket and pinches a nerve. We did a lot of stretching & strengthening to get it back and when I focus on that, I do have improved motion.

Had my surgery today. Doc said rotator cuff was fine, problem is bone spurs and a frozen muscle. I don't understand what that means except for a much shorter recovery.

so, what exactly did they operate on?

My shoulder.

well, if he didn’t repair the cuff, did he shave the spurs? was this an acromion issue? was this a scope?

Honestly, not sure. He told my wife as I was/am still groggy.

Sounds like a subacromial decompression and maybe a distal clavicle resection.

good call!

I don't have the notes from my Dr yet, but I did get word from my PT. Here's what was done:

subacromial decompression
osteotomy clavicle
capsular release

The rotator cuff was damaged but not enough to require surgical repair.

so far, PT is easy. Working on motion on the shoulder but not engaging any muscles. Honestly, it feels great when she manipulates my arm above my head - like, my arm hasn't moved like that in a year and a half.

Great news! Shouldn't be a hard recovery with that.

 

[FiredMartz]

Had the 2nd surgery, manipulation and scope on the 17 th....PT going well...been four surgeries on the two shoulders and finally relief after 4 years of recovery

 

[snogger]

Good news .. Bad news from MRI
Good news - No re-tearing
Bad news.. MRI did show "Frozen Shoulder"...
2. No evidence of recurrent tearing of the rotator cuff.
3. Mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy without tearing.
4. Slight thickening of the inferior glenohumeral joint capsule without surrounding pericapsular edema or inflammatory change to suggest these changes reflect adhesive capsulitis.

Waiting for Doc to call to discuss next steps, which is probably a Manipulation to "break" Scarring and Frozen shoulder.. Then back to PT..
I've been seeing her for almost a year now ( 3 months before surgery, a break , and last 7 months after surgery) ..
I think she knows me better than some of my friends

 

[snogger]

Update.. Had the manipulation done about 3 weeks ago and felt 100% better right away the next day. Walked into therapy the day after and, after stretching out on the overhead pulleys, I was able to raise my arm on its own above my head for the first time in over a year..
My therapist about

Turned out even after manipulation my ROM was still limited and he had to cut part of one of my tendons.
I am now almost at 100% of ROM and we are now working on rebuilding strength since it's been over a year since I could use it fully.

 

[Judge Smails]

Update.. Had the manipulation done about 3 weeks ago and felt 100% better right away the next day. Walked into therapy the day after and, after stretching out on the overhead pulleys, I was able to raise my arm on its own above my head for the first time in over a year..
My therapist about

Turned out even after manipulation my ROM was still limited and he had to cut part of one of my tendons.
I am now almost at 100% of ROM and we are now working on rebuilding strength since it's been over a year since I could use it fully.

That’s awesome. Getting range of motion back is paramount. Strength will come. I am likely done with PT this month. 7 months in. Hope to get cleared by the doctor for full activity including golf soon. I will have to continue strength training through the end of June (full year after surgery). It’s a long road…..

 

[snogger]

G

Update.. Had the manipulation done about 3 weeks ago and felt 100% better right away the next day. Walked into therapy the day after and, after stretching out on the overhead pulleys, I was able to raise my arm on its own above my head for the first time in over a year..
My therapist about

Turned out even after manipulation my ROM was still limited and he had to cut part of one of my tendons.
I am now almost at 100% of ROM and we are now working on rebuilding strength since it's been over a year since I could use it fully.

That’s awesome. Getting range of motion back is paramount. Strength will come. I am likely done with PT this month. 7 months in. Hope to get cleared by the doctor for full activity including golf soon. I will have to continue strength training through the end of June (full year after surgery). It’s a long road…..

Great news for you as well

I injured my shoulder September of 2021, Surgery was April 2022.. Long road is an understatement for both of us.
My therapist thinks February will be the end of PT as well. She has been great at helping me get through the low points.

 

[shuke]

Had revision midfoot fusion surgery in September. 9 weeks non-weight bearing then 4 weeks in a walking boot. I'm about 4 weeks out of the boot and still in a crap load of pain. I'm hoping it's just my soft tissues getting stretched out but I feel like something else is going on, maybe a tendon riding along the plate? Was supposed to go back mid-March for a follow up but scheduled something for Friday.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Had revision midfoot fusion surgery in September. 9 weeks non-weight bearing then 4 weeks in a walking boot. I'm about 4 weeks out of the boot and still in a crap load of pain. I'm hoping it's just my soft tissues getting stretched out but I feel like something else is going on, maybe a tendon riding along the plate? Was supposed to go back mid-March for a follow up but scheduled something for Friday.

If it feels wrong, push the issue. Get second/third opinions(if needed)

Two doctors brushed me off before finally #3 immediately saw the problem and scheduled me for another surgery. I can tell my foot is now properly lined up and I really hate that those other two chuckleheads cost me months.

 

[The Big Donkey]

Anyway, hope the sciatica goes away. That was my biggest life suck of all time.

would not wish this on anyone. about three weeks in and can finally walk, slowly....don't have the shooting pains. trying to sleep when it's on... just impossible. slight move...uuuuufgh.

literally going from lying down to sitting up to standing took some time and praying i moved the right way. back is still really sore at this point but not pain.

 

[leftcoastguy7]

I'm in my 50s and the ol' tea bag seems like it has really been sagging lately. I'm starting to feel like Long Ball Larry over here. I have to be careful when I sit down.

I hope this is just getting older and not a need to see a doctor.

 

[Chemical X]

thought i’d dump this in here…..i hurt my left elbow spring 2022. my dog was very sick and i carried him everywhere, lots of stairs and the repetition created a golf elbow injury. think UCL sprain on the inside of my elbow at that pointy bone thingy. took a shot late summer and it helped, but i rehurt the elbow carrying my pal around again. fast forward to today and though my pal is gone, he left me a gift, constant elbow pain. my doc recommended OT, but i’ve been reluctant. he is conservative and said he wouldn’t reshoot the spot. i decided to see a different doc in his practice and he had no qualms with another shot and wrote me a OT script. after 48 hours the shot has removed the pain and i feel real good. the joint is a bit sore, but i’ve been doing some stretching exercises. i am a bit scared and apprehensive to really use my elbow, i just don’t want to reinjure it. should i go to OT to strengthen the joint? i am scared that the OT may aggravate my past issue too. kind of caught in the middle. i don’t want to eff it up on my own, but i’m not confident in the joint. i don’t want an OT to hurt it either. looking for advise. will answer yours.

 

[Terminalxylem]

See the OT

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I'm in my 50s and the ol' tea bag seems like it has really been sagging lately. I'm starting to feel like Long Ball Larry over here. I have to be careful when I sit down.

I hope this is just getting older and not a need to see a doctor.

sorry to hear Mr. Belvedere.

 

[Corporation]

thought i’d dump this in here…..i hurt my left elbow spring 2022. my dog was very sick and i carried him everywhere, lots of stairs and the repetition created a golf elbow injury. think UCL sprain on the inside of my elbow at that pointy bone thingy. took a shot late summer and it helped, but i rehurt the elbow carrying my pal around again. fast forward to today and though my pal is gone, he left me a gift, constant elbow pain. my doc recommended OT, but i’ve been reluctant. he is conservative and said he wouldn’t reshoot the spot. i decided to see a different doc in his practice and he had no qualms with another shot and wrote me a OT script. after 48 hours the shot has removed the pain and i feel real good. the joint is a bit sore, but i’ve been doing some stretching exercises. i am a bit scared and apprehensive to really use my elbow, i just don’t want to reinjure it. should i go to OT to strengthen the joint? i am scared that the OT may aggravate my past issue too. kind of caught in the middle. i don’t want to eff it up on my own, but i’m not confident in the joint. i don’t want an OT to hurt it either. looking for advise. will answer yours.

I'd definitely see the OT as well. You can tell them what you are comfortable doing and they shouldn't try to move past what you tell them. That puts them at risk. They may try to talk you into doing more, but if you say "this is the limit" they won't push past that.

 

[Terminalxylem]

thought i’d dump this in here…..i hurt my left elbow spring 2022. my dog was very sick and i carried him everywhere, lots of stairs and the repetition created a golf elbow injury. think UCL sprain on the inside of my elbow at that pointy bone thingy. took a shot late summer and it helped, but i rehurt the elbow carrying my pal around again. fast forward to today and though my pal is gone, he left me a gift, constant elbow pain. my doc recommended OT, but i’ve been reluctant. he is conservative and said he wouldn’t reshoot the spot. i decided to see a different doc in his practice and he had no qualms with another shot and wrote me a OT script. after 48 hours the shot has removed the pain and i feel real good. the joint is a bit sore, but i’ve been doing some stretching exercises. i am a bit scared and apprehensive to really use my elbow, i just don’t want to reinjure it. should i go to OT to strengthen the joint? i am scared that the OT may aggravate my past issue too. kind of caught in the middle. i don’t want to eff it up on my own, but i’m not confident in the joint. i don’t want an OT to hurt it either. looking for advise. will answer yours.

I'd definitely see the OT as well. You can tell them what you are comfortable doing and they shouldn't try to move past what you tell them. That puts them at risk. They may try to talk you into doing more, but if you say "this is the limit" they won't push past that.

OT aren’t in the business of injuring people. They’re trained to rehabilitate. I wouldn’t worry about them making it worse.

 

[Chemical X]

As a follow up, PT did not really help me much, it strengthened my elbow joint a bit, but i still have the burning and tearing sensation on the inside of my medial epicondyle. I am staring at surgery but have read good things about a PRP injection in the site.

Has anyone done a PRP injection with feedback? It will be $500 out of pocket, insurance won't cover it. I have read and studied that it seems a way to go before the knife.

TIA

 

[Chemical X]

i’m gonna start a separate *official* thread on PRP…..

 

[Judge Smails]

I did PRP in conjunction with surgery. Hard to quantify how much it helped.