slaptear.com - The Sports Injury Community - Forum

Subject: Biceps Tenodesis - by: JEB1980

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:55:48 +0000

I had slap tear surgery on my right shoulder about 1.5 years ago. It never has felt completely right so i went in and had another MRI and met with my OS today. He expalined that there is an abnormality in the slap area and there is a large chance it didnt heal correctly or the tendon it self is split, also a small chance its scar tissue. If its not healed or split he recommended a bicep tenodesis, which sounds pretty intense since it would be relocating the bicep anchor however it sounds pretty common and it has less of a recovery time than a slap. Does anyone ahve any experience with this?
Josh

Subject: 13 weeks post op Update and Questions - by: bhughes248

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:53:20 +0000

Here is the short story: Surgery 2/17/12 for Bankart tear. 3 anchors.

1-6 weeks- sling
8-9 weeks- PT. Went to the OS because the "dull ache" was really bothering me and was restricting my ROM. Recommended 2 weeks off PT and anti inflammatories (Relafen)
12 weeks- started PT again. They are trying to catch me back up to where I should be. Got abouut 90% ROM back. ER is still not coming along but Im not too worried about it. We started new exercises such as jobes with 1 pound weights. Bicep curls with 5 pound weights. Wall push ups. It feels nice to be doing something other than walking my arm up the wall lol. Anywho..
13 weeks- PT said I can start running soon but I have to keep my hand in my pocket?? Has anyone heard of that? I'm going to look pretty goofy and its going to feel unnatural.

My shoulder pops every time I do overhead movement (the same as prior to surgery). As soon as I pass 90 degrees abduction it pops (same as prior to surgery). However, it doesnt grind like it did so that is good. Is this okay?

Also, the wierdest thing of all. The dull ache is still there (prolly a 2 out of 10) but constant. WHEN DOES IT GO AWAY OR WILL IT??
But it is only when I wear a shirt....is that wierd??? As soon as I take my shirt off, the ache goes away. I feel stupid even asking my PT this. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the advice.

Subject: Osteosporosis after labral repair - by: Magicshoulder

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:56:02 +0000

I had surgery 11 weeks ago. I am very active 37 year old. I just had xrays done on my surgical shoulder. I was told that there is osteosporosis in the head of the humerus.
Of course, i got concern and i look for info about this and there are reports of evidence of osteosporosis of the humerus after shoulder surgery, likely due to the immobilization period.
There is no data whether this is reversible or not.
Does anybody here have knowledge about this?
Is anybody here has been told about this?

Subject: Variation of Tenodesis Surgery - Post Op pain - by: JLoughlin

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:35 +0000

Hi all. First post and eager to begin speaking with everyone.

6 weeks ago I had the long head of my bicep transfered to the conjoint tendon. This was performed by Dr. Stephen O'Brien out of HSS in NYC and is a variation of the tenodesis surgery. In therory, suchering the longhead to the other bicep tendon is supposed to prevent long term pain common in normal tenodesis surgery and the soft tissue attachment is supposed to help it heal better (than it does to the humerus).

I'm currently 6 weeks post op and I can said that the attachment point of the two tendons is literally the only place in my shoulder that i DO NOT have pain. Any motion across my body, behind my back, out in front of me (45 degrees to overhead) or out to the side (45 degrees to overhead) is incredibly painful. The only time I do not have pain is with my arm at my side. Surgeon instructed me to begin stretching excersizes 2 days post op and he thinks I may have been overagressive and contracted tendonitis in my rotator cuff somehow. Go figure, I opted for the surgery to cure tendonits in my bicep tendon only to potentially contract it somewhere else. I also have extremely poor exterior rotation of only 20% (arm at side, bent 90% at elbow and rotate away from body).

Anyway, in so many words the surgeon told me that it is not normal feel the pain I'm feeling and to begin physical therapy right away. I had my first physical therapy session yesterday (light strengthening and stretching).

The reason for my post is is A.) to see if anyone else has been through this particular surgery and to hear their story, and B.) if anyone has experienced the type of post op complications I'm having. Surgeon told me 3 months to full recovery but at 6 weeks in and feeling the pain I'm feeling, I have no idea when to expect full recovery, if ever.

Appreciate any thoughts and comments. All the best, JL.

Subject: Catheterization/Intubation - by: melc

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:59:15 +0000

Was anyone catheterized or intubated during their SLAP repair? I have never had surgery before, am going in next week and have no idea what to expect

Subject: Catheterized for surgery? - by: melc

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:46:17 +0000

I am going in on 5/23 for SLAP tear repair and general cleaning up. I have never had surgery before. Do they catheterize you since you are under general? On the other end - are you intubated?

Subject: Debridement with or without subAC decompression? - by: littleberry

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:55:08 +0000

Six months ago I agreed to have debridement done for a SLAP tear. Without prior discussion, a decompression of the subAC joint was also performed, which involves severing several bands of ligaments connecting the acromium to the clavicle, and the excision of the terminal ends of the clavicle and the acromion (bone shaving and removal). I have had extreme pain and misery since surgery, and I am convinced that this unannounced "decompression" is the main culprit, since I am told that my pain is due to excessive scar tissue. Since no discussion prior to surgery occurred to advise me that ligaments might be severed, and that bone might be shaved and removed, I feel that I have been "had" - mislead, taken in, and mistreated by not giving me the option to decline this procedure. All I was expecting and all I agreed to was debridement, which I understood to be nothing more than removing "frayed" portions of the labrium.

Does anyone know if surgeons will sometimes do a SLAP debridement WITHOUT doing the subAC decompression at the same time? Or is it a general practice to ALWAYS do the subAC decompression anytime a SLAP decropression is done? If SLAP debridement is done all by itself, AND NOTHING ELSE, is there expectation for massive scar tissue? Or could one expect minimal scar tissue following solely the SLAP debridement?

How can a patient protect himself from having procedures done without his prior knowledge and consent (other than the general consent forms required at the time, minutes before surgery)? I was experiencing NO SYMPTOMS that might relate to "impengement" or anything that might be attributed to subAC problems, even though it is reported that clavicular "spurs" were found that needed to be deburred, which entails decompression of the subAC joint, all while I was under anesthesia and unable to object.

Since I am now possibly looking at a 2nd surgery, and even maybe a shoulder replacement, I find myself feeling victimized by a failure to be fully informed prior to surgery. Any suggestions?

Subject: Want to ask for follow up MRI to check 4 problems - by: Cwenbass

Tue, 15 May 2012 01:49:16 +0000

I know, I know, i am still complaining about this. But as posted a few weeks back, ia m having pain in the same laces pre-op. No pain in anything else, not even during PT. Mt PT guy said I should not have any pain, maybe some inflammation after PT, but that is not the case for my PT does not work the shoulder in a manner that would cause pain. The pain I feel is like when arm is over my head and extended back a little and when in an overhand, pitching motion. I have only had a couple small mishaps and I am going to be very angry is there us still a tear. That being said, has anyone ever asked for a follow-up MRI to check to make surer surgery went well?

Subject: multiple surgeries - when things go wrong - by: riderk

Sun, 13 May 2012 23:58:27 +0000

As one who has had multiple surgeries, 2 at one place, 2 at another - in the United States - my lesson is that once you are tagged a surgical failure, it is very likely that you will be turned away if things continue to go wrong. I would bet that a surgeon and/or hospital will not be reimbursed by insurance co's for a third, fourth, etc surgical procedure as the insurance company will say - hey - doc, you screwed it up and we aren't going to pay you again to fix this.

It is probably a different story in countries with socialized medicine. A patient in the US would be hard pressed to get a 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th elective shoulder procedure and have it paid by insurance. I am sure that is why my second surgeon refused to do any more procedures, even if I am suffering - he won't get paid what he wants when the case is reviewed.

So, the lesson for US patients- use your shoulder surgeries wisely. They are elective. You will be thrown under the bus if it goes wrong.

Subject: Surgery or not? What questions to ask yourself... - by: ZoeM

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:12:56 +0000

Hi. I am in my early 30s and somehow, despite not being very active, managed to tear BOTH of my shoulders (labral SLAP tear). I can't have these two operated on at once so I am thinking one day I may have to tackle one and then eventually, the other. It has been over a year since my injuries and I still have chronic pain. I have been doing my PT exercises and still have complete range of motion and decent shoulder strength, but wake up in pain and hear the clicking, popping, crunching unpleasant sounds and something in my shoulders still doesn't feel "right". It seems like shoulder surgery doesn't make sense if I still have complete range of motion, I certainly won't have that after surgery for quite a while. I don't want to end up worse than I am.

I want to hear your stories, if you thought the surgery was worth it, and under what circumstances you ultimately got it done (i.e. what motivated you to get the surgery, is there a "point" at which you made this decision and why) and whether or not you are glad you did. I want to hear the good, bad, and ugly. Has anyone ever had this miraculously heal? I was hoping because of my age, it might eventually fix itself, it seems who you ask will give you a different answer. Anyone who wants to profit off of surgery will tell you to get that, anyone who wants to profit off of rehab will tell you to do that. I wish there were honest doctors and professionals and straight answers, though I know this can vary by individual. Lastly, has anyone tried prolotherapy and does it work?

Suggestions for pain relief and sleeping positions are also welcome.

Thanks!

Subject: slap tear-PT-now adhesive capsulitis (13wks) - by: Focused

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:06:36 +0000

The boards have been a great help. Quick recap. Had surgery on 1/24/12, started PT on 2/24/12. Shoulder has been very stiff and tight. PT has been great, taking things slow and moving in a forward direction as the pain was significant. Doctor has given me two shots on my last two visits. Shoulder gets to a certain spot and will not move. Anyone have anything like this happen? Any thoughts or comments would be welcome.
Thanks

Subject: 10 days Post-op SLAP tear. - by: cdhall

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:50:07 +0000

On April 19th I injured my shoulder while at work. An MRI (without contrast) revealed that I had torn the posterior labrum from my glenoid. It also showed a small fracture to my humerus and partial tears (<25%) of my rotator cuff, stemming from an apparant posterior dislocation. I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon who said Rehab was an option but he said my shoulder would still be unstable without surgery and since I am a police officer he recommended surgery. We scheduled Surgery on May 1st at 1:45 pm.

Leading up to surgery I was pretty nervous. I was mainly nervous because I had never been under general anasthesia and had read several stories of it being really painful when I woke up. Two days before Surgery I had the worst migrane and ended up throwing up several times that day. I assume it was brought on my the anxiousness and nevousness I was feeling. The day before Surgery I was actually much more calm and at ease about the surgery. I contribute this to answered prayers for sure. At about noon The hospital called me and changed my surgery time from 1:45 to 7:15am, which meant I had to get there at 0600, ouch. I was actually a little relieved because I don't know how I would have managed not eating or drinking all day, But it made for a headache trying to find people to take my kids to school and daycare.

-SURGERY DAY
I slept very well the night before and woke up at about 4:45 so that I could take a shower and clean with the soap they gave me.
We I arrived they walked me back to the pre-op area where I put on the sexy gown, foot covers, and bouffant cap. They started an IV and gave me a warm blanket. My wife was able to come back for about 15 minutes before i went back. The anasthesiologist came back and talked a little bit. He let me know that I would be getting a nerve block and injected something into my IV that he said would "play with my memory and make me forget some things". I laughed at him because my mind went straight to the gutter. I said good bye to my wife and they wheeled me to the operating room. I remember going into the OR and talking to one of the nurses about a guy that we both new. The last thing I remember was her right in my face asking if I knew another person. I dont remember answering her.

POST-OP
After Surgery I woke up in very little painand overall really comfortable. My shoulder felt really tight and I could wiggle my fingers but the nerve block was working fully, Thank God. I never saw the surgeon again but he told my wife that the tear wasn't as bad as the MRI showed and felt that since I am healthy and young my body did a lot of repairing in the short time between injury and surgery. He also told her that he repaired that labrum and cleaned up a lot of bursitis but the humeral head looked good. He appareantly didnt tell her how many anchors I needed (if any).

I was sent home with a pretty standard little sling, an ice pack, and a perscription for hydrocodone. Once home I took the prescribed 2x 7.5mg hydrocone once I got home and then every 6 hours. I also took 3 ibuprofen in between the hydrocodone to help with swelling and pain.

The nerve block was the weidest thing. I kept pinching and scratching my arm because it felt so weird. After about 4-5 hours I could tell the Nerve block was almost worn off. My pain was still very much under control. I stayed sitting in my recliner most of the day and ended up sleeping in it. I had several visitors and got up and walked around the house several times.

DAY 2
I woke up in a bit of pain. It was mainly a very uncomfortable stiff feeling. Pain Meds helped get the pain in control. I ended up sleeping several times throughout the day. I was pretty horny, which I guess is a side effect of the anasthesia , my wife was too worried about my shoulder (TMI? maybe. but whatever). Another side effect was it was extremely hard to pee, like I constantly had a feeling of needing to pee but there waqsa no pressure behind it. I assume from a catheter being crammed in it.

On day 5 I got a little stir crazy so we got out of the house and went to the mall for several hours. Pretty tiring but didnt cause any pain.

Days 5-10(now)

I'm feeling really good now. I feel like I rarely need pain meds t_

(cont)

Subject: When To go back to gym? - by: Cwenbass

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:53:25 +0000

I am 14 weeks post op in PT. when can i get back to gym to lift weights? Not ride a bike or do sit-ups only. I was never a huge guy, but I liked bei g in shape.

Subject: SLAP Tear to Anatomical AC Joint Reconstruction??? - by: phunkysalmon

Wed, 09 May 2012 02:01:22 +0000

Dear friends,

I am 7 1/2 months out of a SLAP Repair. Went to a new ortho this week for a second opinion on my chronic throbbing shoulder....

My bike accident was 11 months ago which resulted in a grade 3 AC separation and SLAP tear.

9/26 - SLAP was repaired, but had a horrible recovery that continues today. The new orthos asked me to point to the chronic throb, and he immediately said that is where my AC joint is, not where the SLAP is.... ????

He did an examination, then gave me a shot with only novacaine into the AC joint. My pain decreased by 80-90% and I was able to put my hand behind my back with no pain. He said this was a good sign that my main pain source was coming from the AC separation. He said he only operates on about one grade 3 per year and that mine was not all that bad relatively. He operates on many 4s and 5s though.

He suggested I do some research and continue to try to strengthen, but I may be up for an anatomical AC Joint reconstruction. This makes me nervous as I know a SLAP tear takes a long time to heal. I want to give the SLAP plenty of time before I jump into anything else, but I also want the pain to decrease. I wonder how reliable this novacaine test is? Has anyone heard of this? Experienced this? I meet with him again in 2 weeks to discuss options. I'm thinking about having him do the test again to really make sure I wasn't freaking out and imagining the pain was gone after all my heart rate was up, I was sweating and nervous about hearing about a new surgery. Has anyone had or heard of others having this surgery?

I can't even wrap my mind around going through another big surgery. You never know if this will be truly helpful for the pain. Any thoughts or insights are much appreciated.

Subject: Papers Signed - Surgery Again...#7 now - by: ljansen

Mon, 07 May 2012 23:45:15 +0000

Well, I saw the OS today and the appt didn't go well...at all. Had xrays first, and he said the bone graft looks ok from what he could see, but they keep taking bad angles so it's hard to definitively tell. My ROM sucks, big time...only about 130 flexion, 20 ER at side, 90 abduction, I can just barely get my arm behind back. So after seeing that, hearing my complaints about night pain and the pain I get in the joint on ER, he looked at the xrays again and the GH joint space is very narrow and he's starting to see some OA changes in the joint. So he says it needs to be released sooner rather then later before it gets out of hand and I'm looking at a replacement.

So, I signed the papers for a capsular release, scar tissue debridement and he's going to check the cuff for any tears, check the graft and screws as well. Plan is to have it done within the next 2 months so I 'll have enough time to recover for my month long trip to asia/australia in November.

He also did cortisone shots in the GH joint and scapulothoracic joint to help with pain. I was pretty thrown off guard today, I was expecting a cortisone shot and some back in 3 months to follow up. He didn't even mention about having the last surgeon do this proocedure, he just said this needs to be done before things get worse. So, I'm relieved he's on top of things, but pretty frustrated I need another surgery.

I also will have another EMG june 18th to check the axillary nerve again and see the progress since the last one.

sigh. it's never ending...my PT was more thrown off then I was, she is also now in charge of all decision making for my shoulder lol.

Leanne

Subject: Recovery time for bicep tendon and slap tear? - by: Kim1977

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:03:17 +0000

Hello, I have a previous post on here which better describes my problem. I walk with crutches daily and have messed both shoulders up doing so. My Mri of my right shoulder showed a slap tear and bicep tendon tear. I see the Dr. again tomorrow after finishing a round of theraphy with no results. I am presumming we will schedule surgery. How much time will it take before my Dr. says I can use my crutches? I am guessing about 6 to 8 weeks?

Subject: Waking up in Recovery ???s - by: neh634

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:52:48 +0000

Surgery slated for Wednesday 5/9.

Sling and CPM chair delivered today. She told me to take the sling and when I woke up it would be on me... so, um, from there to going home; how will I get my bra/tank/cami on? Can I take it into the OR along with the sling and have them dress me in it while I'm still asleep?