Shoulder Blade Pain after Anthroscopy
Posted , 5 users are following.
I had shoulder surgery eight weeks ago....small labral tear, bone spurs, and some cleaning up in the shoulder area. I have been doing PT for 6 weeks, and making slow progress. I have noticed this weekend that I have had a lot of pain under my shoulder pain and in the area where the shoulder and neck meets. It is not a sharp pain, but very dull and sore.
I want to back up for a minute and explain a prior injury. In August of last year, I fell off a step stool and hit my head against a brick wall. I went to the ER and got checked, and after neck xrays I was diagnosed with a mild concussion. I did not work out for several months. In October I began working out, and in February went to the doctor for shoulder pain. I explained the injury to my family doctor and surgeon, but at the time my only pain was in my shoulder.
I did not mention this to my physical therapist when I started because it was not bothering me. Now that it has been hurting all weekend, I'm wondering if the pain could be coming from a different injury? Has anyone who has had shoulder surgery also had pain in this area? Is pain in this area still associated with the shoulder itself? I have PT tomorrow, so I'm planning to mention it to her...just wanted another opinion until then!
0 likes, 2 replies
mike1997 kaysie80717
Posted
I've had 2 shoulder surgeries. The immobilization during the first few weeks causes all kinds of stress and strain on your entire body including both shoulders, neck, back, even the legs. I had lots of pains.
Physical therapy both the ROM exercises and strengthening also caused various aches and pains in neck, back, etc.
It's been my experience that when one part of your body is compromised it stresses joints and muscles in other parts of your body. That is probably what you are dealing with.
With that being said, ALWAYS tell your surgeon and therapist how you feel - good or bad, apprehensions, aches, pains, concerns, questions, etc. - everytime you meet them. A good therapist or surgeon should actually ask you that question. You didn't give much details about your repair: what tendon(s) extent of damage, how stiff you are (what degree of forward and side elevation do you have?) but it sounds like you didn't have that big a repair, which is lucky for you. One time I had a knot in my back and the therapist massaged it out. She could actually feel it and knew it was tender to the touch. After about 5 minutes of massage the knot was gone and so was the pain. Let your therapist examine your particular sore spot.
Your therapist and surgeon should also mention the use of ice (bags or ice machine), tens machine possibly to deal with home treatment comparable to what they do at your therapy. My therapy sessions 2-3 times a week started off with 20 minutes of electro-stim, 5 minutes ultrasound massage, 5 minutes hands on massage of my shoulder area, back and arm, and application of Biofreeze lotion, then I did the pulleys and other ROM exerercises and progressed eventually on to levels of strengthening exercises. Every session ended with 10 minutes of icing. You can duplicate that treatment at home with a Tens unit and your own ice in a bag.
Everyone is different some people have more pain than others. Some people have a constant pain. Alot has to also do with how stiff you are. The more stiffness the more work and pain to break up all that scar tissue so you can regain that ROM. Ideally, the pain should lessen and eventually go away as you progress through the protocol.
Good to hear from you.
lynley39458 kaysie80717
Posted
Hi Kaysie, I had this same pain along with a lot of other pain in different areas. My surgeon said when they go in with the athroscope it is very invasive, I saw four puncture holes on the back of my shoulder blade. Also when you have been immobilized for a long time it affects a lot of other muscle groups that are trying to compensate for your bung shoulder. I took a long time to heal, about 18 months as I was extremely stiff but with lots of therapy you will feel better.