Christmas 2011 is out of the way and it's 2012 and there's nothing like a New Year to inspire one's recovery.
Last time I posted in November, I was using a tennis ball to work trigger points out of the muscles beneath my shoulder blade. This helped somewhat but there's still work to do. So here's a summary of where we're at at 4 1/2 months after my rotator cuff repair and tenodesis.
Q. Does it hurt?
A. Yes, generally tha pain is about 2/10.
Q. Does it hurt what you move it or just hurt all the time?
A. The top of the bicep aches a bit when I raise my right arm, the cuff is generally uncomfortable regardless, althouth there are good days and not-so-good days.
Q. Is it getting better?
A. I guess it is. Although there have been some painful episodes. I frequently worry I have damaged the cuff repair as the pain comes and goes.
Q. What does the Surgeon think?
A. I went to the surgeon two weeks ago, he was on Holiday so I saw the registrar. Explained my worries and he referred me for an MRI, so at least we get to see if I'm panicking for any reason or not.
Q. Are you getting strength back?
A. Slowly. It's recovering about the same rate as my last recovery from Subacromial Decompression and I went through that recovery with a torn cuff and injured bicep. So you'd think strength would return more quickly after the repair.
Q. Are you restricted in what you can do?
A. To some extent. I can't do anything extreme like hang-gliding or play squash, but I can do most domestic and DIY tasks. I bought a bycycle too and can ride that without any problem. Painting tires it out after an hour or so.
Q. Is it affecting your sleep
A. Only some nights. Say 30% of the time
I have the added complication of a Chrondal lesion which I may need micro-fracture to treat. As the cuff and bicep heals, the symptoms of the chrondal lesion should become more obvious. Still a bit too early to tell right now.
hi Nick, thank u for sharing your journey which i have read in full. i am on day 10 since tenodesis, i had a planned arthroscopic acromioplasty and during which the surgeon performed an unplanned tenodesis with a plastic screw when he discovered the frayed bicep muscle which was not spotted on the mri. i would like to discuss with u further but not sure u will still be getting these messages (or be interested lol) Anyway i wont go on as i am typing left hand only, this is the arm which wasnt operated on but it does have impingement so typing is bad for it. i hope u have continued to recover fully and wish u all the best... Angela
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