slaptear.com - The Sports Injury Community - Forum

Subject: Slap Tear @ Biceps Anchor - by: jamesnater

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:16:56 +0000

Hi I'm new. Just thought I'd be able to get some insight on my situation if I posted here. Anyway, here's my story.

I injured my right shoulder rock climbing. It's kinda hard to explain what position I was in when I injured to those who don't really rock climb, so I'll try my best to describe it. I was in a corner of a rock wall, 3 pitches up. The only holds available in this section of the route were some slippery feet and 2 opposing holds about shoulder height. Imagine an automatic sliding door (like the ones at your local grocery store) that is turned off, and in order to open it you have to stick your fingers in between the doors with your palms facing outward and thumbs down and pull outward, sliding the door open. The position I was in was similar to doing just that, with my hands about 2 ft apart, except imagine there being nothing to really grip or wrap your thumb around (much like the picture below, except it would be a left hand & thumbs down in my case).

So basically in that position, my feet slipped and I fell about 6 inches or so before I caught myself in that position (catching all my body weight, 154lbs), slightly above my head. It was at this point I heard a CRUNCH-type sound come from my right shoulder. Despite the crunch sound, I hung on and was able to get my feet back on the wall. I knew I had hurt my shoulder right then, but tried to make the next move anyway. At that point my forearms were just too pumped to do anything and my fingers uncurled and I fell. I fell about 10 feet before my gear and rope caught me. I rested for 10 minutes. My shoulder was very sore and I knew I wasn't going to climb the rest of the day. I was forced to have to reclimb the route to the top in order to rappel from the top anchors without leaving any gear. Though this didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

I rested my shoulder for about a week. I was able to still reach overhead, and do normal activities, though with extreme caution because some movements would cause a instant sharp pain that would would fade away in 10 seconds or so in what felt like the center of my shoulder.

I went to see an ortho, I had an MRI as well. I was diagnosed with a SLAP tear and Anterior Instability. Though the doctor found it a little odd that I could still climb (lightly) or do a pull up without any pain or serious discomfort.

These were my MRI results, summarized anyway....

1. Reverse Bankart avulsion fracture of the inferior posterior glenoid.
2. Anterior labral periosteal sleeve avulsion (ALPSA lesion)
3. Probable posterior inferior glenohumeral ligament injury.
4. SLAP tear involving the biceps anchor.
5. Probable rotator interval injury.
6. Small, likely reactive glenohumeral joint effusion and subdeltoid bursitis.

I originally injured my shoulder on March 31st, this year.

I've been going to Sports PT twice a week for about 2 weeks now. My shoulder feels a lot better, most of the instability is gone, but now I can feel some minor soreness from time to time in my shoulder where the biceps anchor is. It occurs usually the day after doing my , which I have stopped since I've noticed this. After the first week of PT, I started doing a very light routine, but after upping the intensity I started to feel sore the next day. Not painfully sore though, just enough to notice it in the morning and forget about it in the middle of the day and on.

Anyway, my ortho said the tear wasn't bad enough to absolutely require surgery, which we are trying to stay away from due to the stiffness and loss of some ROM post-op, which will effect my rock climbing in the future.

What are your guys' thoughts?

What are the chances of a tear like this healing completely and being able to get back to climbing at a competitive level again?

Is there anything I can do (besides continuing PT, staying off the wall, avoiding hangboard workouts) to aid in the healing process or speed up that process? Supplements? Massages? Voodoo Magic??

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Subject: Full ROM 11 Days Post-Op - by: JOHNNYAPPLESEED

Sun, 05 May 2013 11:46:31 +0000

Hello!

I injured my shoulder doing upwards movements with heavy weights. Slap Tear II Reaching to Posterior. Four anchors have been placed.

I was in intense pain for a few days, but the surgeon recommended I take the sling off after a few days. So it's been around a week now where I don't use the sling anymore, and I have slowly regained full range of motion.

You may think this is going splendid, but I am worried. Though my shoulder pain is decreasing, I am worried I might have gone too fast. I used to have a weird "pop" when I moved my shoulder post surgery, then it went away a few days ago, and now it's back again. It happens when I raise my hand open elbow stretched out, as I lower my hand, around the time I hit the 90 degree angle.

Have I ruined the surgery?

Thanks in advance,
-Johnny

Subject: Post-op day 1 - Afraid to move arm - by: versed

Sat, 04 May 2013 19:19:35 +0000

First-time poster. Great community here! I'm a 30 y/o, very active female, injured my shoulder using hand paddles while swimming back in Dec (SLAP II tear). I'm starting my residency in July (ie. 80 hour weeks for a long time, no possibility for extra time off), so getting the surgery was pretty much now or never. Insurance situation is pretty terrible, but I'm trying not to think about that right now.

Surgery went well, had the nerve block. Today I took my arm out of the sling to bend my elbow/arm a bit but became extremely nauseous and had to lie down. I'm not in a lot of pain (maybe 3/10 at rest, 8/10 when moving arm), but afraid to take those heavy-duty pain pills (been taking half-dose percocet every six hours). I do get nauseous with narcotics and also pass out frequently - needles, vaccines, blood; even passed out after a chiropractor's adjustment. Unfortunately I seem to be having panic/anxiety attacks as soon as the sling comes off.

I'm worried what will happen if I can't move my arm for a week! Anyone experience this? Should I take more pain meds? I also have zofran, not sure if that might help. Should I be having 8/10 pain while doing pendulums (not that I've successfully done these yet...).

Thank you!

Subject: Increased pain and 90 percent loss of ROM overnigh - by: Pat k

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:52:14 +0000

I had a slap repair 8 weeks ago with 3 anchors placed. I have been doing pt since 5 days post-op. Therapy has not been going as expected ( my shoulder catches). Last night, I woke up to excruciating pain in that shoulder, and have lost approximately 90 percent of rom that I had gained from pt. my surgeon is thinking frozen shoulder ( if so, he won't do anything else, and cortisone didn't help 3 weeks ago). My therapist told me there is something wrong and it's NOT a frozen shoulder and if the MRI doesn't show anything I should get a second opinion. HELP!

Subject: SLAP TEAR (5 Weeks Postopt) PAIN - by: aryanamvar9850

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:39:56 +0000

-June 2012 I had alot of pain in my bicep/shoulder... did PT for 7 months and it did not get better... my arm felt very tired after doing any excersises after a few minutes and i couldnt run because my neck and back would hurt..

March 2013 i got scoped to discover i had a TYPE 2 SLAP tear... 2 anchors put in...

its been 5 weeks and i have the SAME problems.. i have an the ache/tired pain in my arm and my neck and back are killing me...(upper right side near my shoulder)

- my PT says the pain is from my posture but i dont think thats the case cuz i had the same issues before surgery...

did anyone have the same pain or know when it goes away?

Subject: AC Joint problems - by: maplebc68

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:18:18 +0000

It has now been 8.5 months since surgery. It has been a long road of recovery. Still having issues, had EMG studies and there is no nerve damage. Still getting the pins and needles in arm, hand and fingers. Had xray of shoulder and appears normal. I am having accupuncture 2 times a week. Had an injection in ac joint and found no relief from it.

Still having pain in the ac joint, difficult and painful to move arm across body, pushing forward not that bad if i keep arm down, but when I have to push from left to right increase in pain. Lifting my arm and holding it up causes pins and needles, I can actually push on the area where the ac joint is and pins and needles start in fingers. I have started to have the joint tapped and this relieves alot ot the symptoms,and without it I have a constant spasm/knot in the area between the shoulder blade/spine, pain almost constant and wake up in lots of pain in joint area. there appears to be a bit of a bump on the clavicle, very tender to touch. front of clavicle and to shoulder tender,achy. I have ordered a ac joint splint to use.

Still only lifting 5 pounds with injured side, I find that if i keep the movements below shoulder hieght and down i can do more, but the minute i have to raise arm up and use the joint symptoms start. Surgeon doesnt think there is a problem with the joint itself and sugery is not an option. Said if movement hurts dont do it, and that I should probably find a job that does not have me pushing and pulling. PT thinks that something in the ac joint area is pressing on the brachial plexus causing the pins and needles, but no idea why so painful. ROM has decreased now as hurts to get passed shoulder hieght

Wondering if anyone else has experienced this after a SAD? or has any ideas on what is going on? Never had pain or anything in this area before. Before sugery pain was in scapula area, but not like this, thanks for all your help.