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Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:11 am
by Bears Whiskey Nut
Hey gents,
I just had surgery on Monday. Anyone have any recommendations on recovery tips? Realistic expectations for healing, timeline, etc.

Thanks!

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:23 am
by UOK
I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever had any similar injury. That said, I would:
  • do whatever your doctors tell you to the letter
  • drink tons of fluids
  • take any medication according to the instructions
  • wear a sling or whatever - keep the area immobilized
  • rest, sleep, take time off work, etc

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:52 pm
by The Marshall Plan
UOK wrote: Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:23 am I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever had any similar injury. That said, I would:
  • do whatever your doctors tell you to the letter
  • drink tons of fluids
  • take any medication according to the instructions
  • wear a sling or whatever - keep the area immobilized
  • rest, sleep, take time off work, etc
Exactly this. The only thing I'll add is that you should search YouTube for Bears Condensed Games. They shrink Bears games down to about 45 minutes plus or minus. I would imagine it is an awesome thing to watch while you recuperate.

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:07 am
by Boris13c
I had rotator cuff injury, but did not require surgery ... the biggest thing was physical therapy, which was much different than I had expected

so I would imagine once your surgery is healed, you will also undergo physical therapy and you should ensure you follow their guidance and do not miss sessions

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:25 am
by G08
Buddy... stop masturbating :thumbsup:

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:03 am
by mmmc_35
Listen to the doctor. A surgeon friend told me that 85 percent of non/less effective surgeries like yours is do to non compliance. People are weak/lazy a lot. They don't do the minimum required to get back to health. Surgeries like yours you should be able to get back to close to a 100%. But many dont.

A friend if mine had your surgery and was way ahead of schedule. All because he did what they said from rotator cuff rotation to stretching. He hot in trouble because the doctor said do normal activities, and he started working out.

Other things CBD oil helps with inflammation.

After recovery hang from a pull up bar for a couple min every day.

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:55 am
by Bears Whiskey Nut
G08 wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:25 am Buddy... stop masturbating :thumbsup:
I heard it helps with regaining mobility in my shoulder...

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:57 am
by Bears Whiskey Nut
mmmc_35 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:03 am Listen to the doctor. A surgeon friend told me that 85 percent of non/less effective surgeries like yours is do to non compliance. People are weak/lazy a lot. They don't do the minimum required to get back to health. Surgeries like yours you should be able to get back to close to a 100%. But many dont.

After recovery hang from a pull up bar for a couple min every day.
1. Yes. I've heard that before too. I'm way too active to half-ass this recovery. If I do it right, I should have a better shoulder than I've had in years.

2. Good idea. Thanks.

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:02 am
by Bears Whiskey Nut
Boris13c wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:07 am I had rotator cuff injury, but did not require surgery ... the biggest thing was physical therapy, which was much different than I had expected

so I would imagine once your surgery is healed, you will also undergo physical therapy and you should ensure you follow their guidance and do not miss sessions
Surgeon said that mine was hanging by a thread. It's been torn for several years, and just kept getting worse. He actually had to cut it the rest of the way, just so they could fix it. Physical therapy has helped in the past, and I am familiar with the benefits. I got a guy that I keep on speed dial, and he always patches me up whenever I do something stupid. :thumbsup:

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:00 am
by malk
Bears Whiskey Nut wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:02 am
Boris13c wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:07 am I had rotator cuff injury, but did not require surgery ... the biggest thing was physical therapy, which was much different than I had expected

so I would imagine once your surgery is healed, you will also undergo physical therapy and you should ensure you follow their guidance and do not miss sessions
Surgeon said that mine was hanging by a thread. It's been torn for several years, and just kept getting worse. He actually had to cut it the rest of the way, just so they could fix it. Physical therapy has helped in the past, and I am familiar with the benefits. I got a guy that I keep on speed dial, and he always patches me up whenever I do something stupid. :thumbsup:
Sounds like you've got this covered but I'll add a big thumbs up to making sure you do your physio religiously. On recovery from surgeries to repair a nasty spiral fracture in my lower leg and having a tendon rip some bone off my little finger I had some pretty nasty work to break down scar tissue and rebuild strength. I remember getting really funny looks from people as I was sitting on the tube digging a nail into the scar tissue into my finger and then stretching it out, all with tears in my eyes from the pain. In fairness, it must have looked pretty odd! Similarly doing stretches and calf raises for my ankle whilst waiting on platforms for trains (had a fairly long commute). If you can find a way to build some of the rehab into otherwise dead time it's a good way of getting more reps in, particularly when little and often works.

Incidentally, how did you know you'd done it? One of my shoulders is really goosed from rugby and not sure if it's something like a rotator cuff injury or just general overuse knackeredness?

Re: Rotator cuff and biceps tendon surgery...suggestions

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 4:08 pm
by Bears Whiskey Nut
malk wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:00 am
Bears Whiskey Nut wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:02 am

Surgeon said that mine was hanging by a thread. It's been torn for several years, and just kept getting worse. He actually had to cut it the rest of the way, just so they could fix it. Physical therapy has helped in the past, and I am familiar with the benefits. I got a guy that I keep on speed dial, and he always patches me up whenever I do something stupid. :thumbsup:
Sounds like you've got this covered but I'll add a big thumbs up to making sure you do your physio religiously. On recovery from surgeries to repair a nasty spiral fracture in my lower leg and having a tendon rip some bone off my little finger I had some pretty nasty work to break down scar tissue and rebuild strength. I remember getting really funny looks from people as I was sitting on the tube digging a nail into the scar tissue into my finger and then stretching it out, all with tears in my eyes from the pain. In fairness, it must have looked pretty odd! Similarly doing stretches and calf raises for my ankle whilst waiting on platforms for trains (had a fairly long commute). If you can find a way to build some of the rehab into otherwise dead time it's a good way of getting more reps in, particularly when little and often works.

Incidentally, how did you know you'd done it? One of my shoulders is really goosed from rugby and not sure if it's something like a rotator cuff injury or just general overuse knackeredness?
My rotator cuff was injured from 11 years of studying Aikido. Landing wrong too many times. Years of softball didn't help either.

I knew it was my rotator cuff because, a) my physical therapist told me it was, and b) It was difficult to lift anything of any weight, above my shoulder. If the top of your shoulder hurts when you try and lift something up into a cupboard, that's your rotator cuff.