Hi all,
I had a SLAP tear repaired with 2 anchors, some other tissue cleaned up (doc said it looked like a bunch of cobwebs), and my bicep muscle cut and reattached at a different location. Surgery was Feb 3rd in the afternoon. I went to my first rehab on the morning of the 4th. It hurt like crazy when they moved my arm! I don't go back until this Wed. but I have a series of 5 simple exercises I do 3 times a day. My shoulder still really hurts though- esp. late day and at night. Feels better to not move it away from my body, esp. my elbow.

I am trying to get back to some normal activity and am frustrated. My husband went out of town, so I don't have help. He thought I would be fine by now. I'm trying to figure out if I am just a wimp or if my recovery to date is fairly normal. I originally tore my shoulder in 2002, but couldn't do surgery then. I think my arm is pretty weak as a result.

Anyone have any helpful comments?
Thanks.

lily,

this is all completely normal and 5 days ago wasn't along time ago. The biceps tenodesis especially (cut and reattach the tendon) adds quite a bit of extra discomfort, this is why it hurts moving the elbow because the biceps inserts just past the elbow on the forearm. because of that biceps repair, you should be doing no lifting at all, you should essentially be doing everything one handed. how long is your husband out of town for? is there anyone else who could help you out? i had biceps tenodesis back in march and was pretty useless the first 2 weeks. if you're alone, best thing for food ideas is microwave dinners cuz you can just warm those up.

so you're not being a wimp, you had quite a bit of work done and shoulder surgery is quite painful, i don't think anyone who has to endure it is a wimp. but everything sounds the way it should for your timeline.

Leanne

Lily, Too bad you did not read on these posts in preparation before surgery. 5 days is way to early to have your significant other out of town. You should not be driving or like Leanne said lifting at all. Call all of your friends and neighbors now and tell them you need lots of help, showering is a bear without help and then you need a sit down with your hubby because he will be needing to help in everyway for the next 3 weeks and then less so after that. Sharon

Lily,
I returned to work the day after my left shoulder surgery and 4 days after my right shoulder sugery, so it is entirely up to your body when you return to normal activites. Don't let anyone tell you what your body can or should do. Just let nature take its course and take what your body is willing to give,
John

John-
I am assuming you don't use your arm for your work or could you lift your arm the day after surgery? I find it hard to shower/ wash my hair (but I have long hair), cook, fold laundry, etc. I am a stay-home mom, but not able to get much done. Frustrating. I can peck at a keyboard though... with typos! I keep having a shooting pain in the front of my shoulder. I don't want to take the pain meds b/c I'm by myself with the kids and dog. Ypur story is uplifting, but doesn't seem to be the norm. What about your PT?

Thanks Sharon & Leanne-
I asked my husband if he could help me out for a few days. Wish I had seen this site prior to surgery!