SLAP tear and bicep surgery

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Anyone here ever have this done?

I would like to know about the success or lack thereof.

Also a recovery timeline. How long will I not be able to function at all vs. function but pain, vs. function w/out pain

 

[Phydeaux]

While waiting to hear from people with their first hand, and individual unique experiences, hopefully you've asked these questions of your physician. Have you also sought a second and third opinion from other physicians? Have you researched their respective qualifications? Have you asked them their experiences of the patients that they performed this procedure on?

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

While waiting to hear from people with their first hand, and individual unique experiences, hopefully you've asked these questions of your physician. Have you also sought a second and third opinion from other physicians? Have you researched their respective qualifications? Have you asked them their experiences of the patients that they performed this procedure on?

yes, but I get more evasive answers about recovery like "long, hard, painful"

I think he is afraid to be too specific because some people can tend to take it as an absolute instead of average

 

[Phydeaux]

yes, but I get more evasive answers about recovery like "long, hard, painful"

I think he is afraid to be too specific because some people can tend to take it as an absolute instead of average

Having worked in the medical field my entire career, alongside physicians and having trained them, please allow me to extend to you a piece of advice. If you ask a physician a question that doesn't provide you a complete, comprehensive answer that satisfies you, you need to follow it up.

When you write "I think he is afraid....." , you are making an assumption based on the information you have. It also suggests you were left unanswered to your satisfaction. We both know about assumptions.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Even today, far too many patients don't do so, and research their refrigerator purchase more than their own health care decisions. I'm not suggesting this is you, but, have you gotten a second or 3rd opinion yet?

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

2nd, not 3rd. Honestly, I don't have the insurance coverage to allow for a 3rd

edit: if you count an independent Physical Therapist as a 3rd opinion, then yes I have a 3rd. He saw the MRI results as well.

I was just looking for feedback from others that might have had the surgery. Maybe someone who can wallow in my sorrow of the pain. And part of me is hoping that the timeframe I've been given is completely wrong and someone has suggestions for a great, speedy, pain free recovery.

 

[Phydeaux]

2nd, not 3rd. Honestly, I don't have the insurance coverage to allow for a 3rd

edit: if you count an independent Physical Therapist as a 3rd opinion, then yes I have a 3rd. He saw the MRI results as well.

I was just looking for feedback from others that might have had the surgery. Maybe someone who can wallow in my sorrow of the pain. And part of me is hoping that the timeframe I've been given is completely wrong and someone has suggestions for a great, speedy, pain free recovery.

A PT is not qualified to offer so much as an opinion on an MR exam. As for suggestions on a speedy recovery, ask questions, and listen to the answers of the physician you have entrusted with your procedure.

Good luck.

 

[MuranoJo]

Having gone through 5 weeks of PT with an excellent therapist, I would absolutely consider the PT's POV for recovery period. They see post-surgical patients all the time (and given what I've seen, people seem to be pretty open with them regarding their experiences). No doubt they also have a pretty good read of which surgeons are best.

I'm not saying they should replace a 2nd or even 3rd physician's opinion, but if you have a good PT, their opinion is valuable. I was blown away with the patience and knowledge of my PT--I've learned a lot from him.

But I agree--keep pushing the doc for answers until you get them. Meantime, doesn't hurt to ask for personal experiences--those are helpful as well!

 

[Phydeaux]

Having gone through 5 weeks of PT with an excellent therapist, I would absolutely consider the PT's POV for recovery period. They see post-surgical patients all the time (and given what I've seen, people seem to be pretty open with them regarding their experiences). No doubt they also have a pretty good read of which surgeons are best.

I'm not saying they should replace a 2nd or even 3rd physician's opinion, but if you have a good PT, their opinion is valuable. I was blown away with the patience and knowledge of my PT--I've learned a lot from him.

But I agree--keep pushing the doc for answers until you get them. Meantime, doesn't hurt to ask for personal experiences--those are helpful as well!

Please don't misinterupt my suggestion that 'A PT is not qualified to offer so much as an opinion on an MR exam' with a PT discussing recovery period.

To be clear, what I was referring to is the fact that a PT is not qualified to interpret, or read MR images, otherwise referred to as the MR exam.

Far from it. A board certified radiologist is the person that does this, and any PT with a license already knows this fact.

 

[Karen G]

And part of me is hoping that the timeframe I've been given is completely wrong and someone has suggestions for a great, speedy, pain free recovery.

I haven't had the type of surgery you are facing, but when I had rotator cuff surgery and my surgeon described the recovery time, I thought to myself "I'm sure mine will be faster and easier."

However, everything my surgeon told me came to pass. He knew what he was talking about, and my recovery progressed just as he said it would.

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Thanks Karen G. I know I am letting my hope rise above what is probably reality.

The surgeon is the one who recommended I have the PT read the MRI results. I did not mean that the PT was interpreting the results; rather, he was reading the interpretation.

And it's a clear tear.

Best thing I'm told is to do as much PT with scapula stabilization right now. I will lose all of it immediately post surgery, but it will help with long term recovery.

I have tried every conventional way of avoiding surgery, but it is clear it is the best option at this point. The only way I can be pain free is to sit on a yoga ball. I do this all day long when I am not at school/work. But, I cannot live my life like this. I also don't tolerate pain meds or muscle relaxers well.

Clearly I am having a pity party for myself. I wish I were booking a vacation to Hawaii for spring break instead of surgery.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Personally, I HATE surgery and I dislike rehab (and down time).


But I have learned the alternatives are MUCH LESS acceptable .... so plan a great vacation while you are recovering ... even if you know it is far fetched dream. It will give you a goal and your family, the rehab staff and friends will appreciate you being distracted with a topic they rather HEAR than how many rep's you did or which is better, heat or ice.

PS You can fall asleep to a (travel) DVD better than a TV show (it is the commercials that wake me up).

 

[Phydeaux]

Thanks Karen G. I know I am letting my hope rise above what is probably reality.

The surgeon is the one who recommended I have the PT read the MRI results. I did not mean that the PT was interpreting the results; rather, he was reading the interpretation.

And it's a clear tear.

Best thing I'm told is to do as much PT with scapula stabilization right now. I will lose all of it immediately post surgery, but it will help with long term recovery.

I have tried every conventional way of avoiding surgery, but it is clear it is the best option at this point. The only way I can be pain free is to sit on a yoga ball. I do this all day long when I am not at school/work. But, I cannot live my life like this. I also don't tolerate pain meds or muscle relaxers well.

Clearly I am having a pity party for myself. I wish I were booking a vacation to Hawaii for spring break instead of surgery.

That's entirely normal. Just remember, there are many, many surgeries much more serious than the one you are going to have. You can be relieved, thankful and happy about that

 

[SMHarman]

I had an ACL replaced. With all these surgeries, the surgery is the easy part. The PT rehab is the hard part. Making time for it, making time for the homework. If this time is there and you can surely stick to it and the ROM / use cases now vs post repair make sense then do it.

I skied two months without an ACL. Post 2 pm. On bumps. On ice. No fun. The next season with the repair the fun was back and in time the surgery Knee has become my dominant Ski side.

9 months to get it ski worth. 15 to be able to comfortably run on it. PT and time.