Sudden Bicep pain after rotator cuff and bicep repair
Posted , 62 users are following.
I am 6 weeks post rotator cuff/SAD/bicep tenodesis. Everything was going normal until today at 6 weeks when I was allowed to remove my sling. I slept fine and woke up with no pain. I got up, happily removed sling, went to bathroom, pulled up my pants and went to adjust pants by slightly reaching behind and got a stabbing, knifelike, cramping in my biceps. I went to lie in bed, struggled to put the sling back on...started walking to kitchen and the bicep started stabbing and cramping again. I almost passed out from the pain. I have called my Ortho (he was in surgery today) and sent e mail to my PT for advice and have not heard from either of them. I can do pendulums without pain and the shoulder flexion exercise carefully, but any bicep movement and it starts to cramp and stab at me. I am now scared that my arm will never get better and don't know how this good go from good to bad so quickly. Has this ever happened to anyone? I hope I hear back from my Dr tomorrow. I am really worried.
8 likes, 151 replies
Bto ricochetred
Posted
I am in the exact same boat. Except this is my 2nd surgery. I'm also having problems with fine finger motor skills? I am in this for 2 yrs...burning sensation in my forearm...Burns sharp pains.. leaves me nauseated at times. Any idea what's going on...?
ricochetred Bto
Posted
burning is usually indicative of nerve involvement. Possibly a nerve entrapment...maybe scar tissue? When is the last time you consulted with the MD? Have you had any myofascial work? If there is nerve trapped in scar tissue that may be helpful. It's hard to know exactly what it could be...and usually when all tests are negative, you are often looking at myofascial pain. I don't know where you are located, but I would see the Dr and if he doesn't know try to find a therapist who is skilled at myofascial release work. I hope you get some relief!
ktdid870 ricochetred
Posted
Hello ricochetred,
I have been reading this thread since searching for "sudden bicep pain after rotator cuff surgery" tonite to figure out what is going on.
I am now 8wks post-op left rotator cuff tenodesis with bicep tendon repair (the bicep was "shredded" as the surgeon put it that was not on the MRI). Have been progressing ok except for a pain when moved in a certain direction, that the PT and Dr just sort of brush off, til Fri last week.
I have been having some increased pain when PT started me on a strengthening exercise (just one movement instead of a few for stretching) on Friday. What you guys had been describing was similar until you mentioned burning pain in bicep, which is what I've had since Fri when he started me on a strengthening exercise instead of the stretching ones since I was doing ok ROM wise.
I took a nap when I got home and when I woke up it was like someone had sliced open my arm in my sleep. (I slept on the couch in one pos so it wasn't that I laid on it oddly) But boy I haven't been able to lift my arm without increasing the burning pain and forget about doing arm raises with a 2 lb wt that he had me do 30 of that day.
I am going to call the PT after my unrelated appt with my Neuro tomorrow, but I'm wondering if I should call the surgeon as well. After I saw that burning pain was not good, I wonder if I should talk to my Neuro now too.
I just saw the Dr 2 wks ago after my PT, he did a cortizone injection since I was still having some pain, more than I felt I should have esp in one certain direction.
I don't go back to Dr or PT for another 4 wks and I'm afraid to even try the exercise he gave me let alone move it like the exercise.
I don't think I tore anything because I didn't have much pain during the exer but after my nap like I said I was in agony-took twice the normal pain med to even move my arm.
It is settling down 2 days later, as long as I don't do much with it.
I've been going to pt once a week then out to 2 until last time now not back til 4wks.
I'm afraid of what this pain means. I already have lupus, nerve issues and fibromyalgia so pain is part of my life, but i had the same surgery done on the other shoulder a few yrs ago by a diff. surgeon and it was a cake walk compared to this one.
How are the rest of you doing? Sounds at least promising except for this burning pain.
Debbie6703 ktdid870
Posted
Hi ktdid870,
I had rotator cuff surgery 13 weeks ago today, only I had 2 severed tendons (one being the bicep) that never showed up on the MRI as well. I experienced all the things that you are describing. I fell down the stairs in my 5th week of recovery and landed on the elbow of the arm I had surgery on. I went to the walk in clinic as my surgeon was on holidays. The doctor sent me for X-rays and said that I probably just strained or sprained the shoulder. I seen the surgeon 1&1/2 weeks later, he didn't seem to concerned either as I still had the range of motion of someone at the 6 week mark would have. I thought for sure I had done damage as the pain was tremendous. The burning in my bicep started at about the 7-8 week mark with the increase of stretching exercises from the PT. At that time she also started deep message on and around my shoulder blade. She said that if I didn't get those muscles loosened up, I could get frozen shoulder. The pain from the message alone was the worst. The day after message I couldn't stand it. The burning was almost unbearable. About a week and a half ago though, the muscles around my shoulder blade started loosening up and the difference in my pain has dropped so much. I have to do the exercises faithfully. It's seems to help keep the pain at bay. I, though, have not been given any weights yet for my physio. I believe that is going to start this week. Maybe you can get your PT to try the deep massage around your shoulder blade. It's painful, but I swear, I can't believe the difference it has made for me. Good luck, hope you get some relief soon.
ricochetred ktdid870
Posted
I guess 8 weeks, in the grand scheme of things, is still fairly early. sorry you have had such trouble. I am now at 7 months. Overall things seem to be going fine. I went back to work a month ago. I have had soreness in the biceps belly and at the shoulder tendon toward end of day. The day before going back to work I moved three shelves worth of books to another shelf and push and pulled some boxes in my garage. I was being careful and just doing them as I would have done exercises. But my bicep and shoulder were sore for two weeks after. I have decided that I am just not yet and may never be as strong as I was before my injury. I do still get the spasm feeling occasionally in the biceps. I am able to take the hard bike rides I used to on the road bike but seem to lack that overall upper body strength needed for the very steep sections. I don't do much "weight lifting" or "exercises" other than ADL related drill because when I do I end up with pain...which I don't want because I need to work. I stopped going to any therapists 2 months ago and only had 2 sessions after month 4. I have just been doing my own thing. Everyone's journey is different and similar at the same time. I think any time you experience something that seems to out of the ordinary or particularly bothersome, you should consult with the MD as that is their job. Most surgeons take pride in their surgical results and want a good outcome. Wish you the best!
laura47202 Debbie6703
Posted
I'm 8 weeks post op for rotator cuff full tear and bicep release. The day I came home I slipped & fell down 5 steps, but mostly on my butt. 1 week later I tripped on the sidewalk and fell on my face and the side of my hand; I needed 7 stitches in my hand. 4 weeks later I missed a two on the stai, twirled around and fell hard on my elbow. I can't figure out why I'm falling so much. We'll, my Dr sent me for an MRI. Seems I "slightly" pulled out my suture anchor, but according to Dr the sutures are still intact, I do have some edema surrounding the area. 2 nights ago I fell asleep on my bed without my sling an or up in severe pain at the ball of my shoulder and the upper bicep. So far the pain hasn't gone away. I don't have a Dr app't for another 6 days. I'm praying this anchor held. If I have to go through this again, I don't know what I'll do. I've been icing, I laid off some of my exercises, and have been taking Advil. Let me know how you are doing now.
Debbie6703 ricochetred
Posted
I too am now experiencing pain in my becep. I am at my 10 week mark of rotator cuff, reattaching 2 severed tendons surgery. I started extremely light hand physio therapy at 2 wk mark while still in the sling and pendulum added the following week for 4 more weeks. Was Only to take the sling off at pt and showering. Had to stop sleeping with it on at 4 week mark as my shoulder blade couldn't stand the pressure of resting on it. I slept on my sofa with 5 pillows propping me up For first 6 1/2 weeks. (my husband moves his arms in his sleep and got me on the shoulder 2nd night in). At 5 1/2 weeks I slipped on the stairs and landed on my bottom and both elbows. The pain was awful, thankfully I still had 1/2 of the pain killers left over from the surgery as I certainly needed them. My surgeon was on holidays so I went to the walk in clinic, was xrayed and told that there didn't appear to be any damage to the bone. I seen my surgeon the following week, he checked my range of movement and said that I seemed to be okay, most likely just straining everything, maybe set me back a week or so in healing. Started adding stretching exercises from then on. Started doing little things at home with my sling on with a bit of pain, but was manageable. At week 7, the PT started deep massage around my shoulder blade to relax the knots and stiff muscles. This caused terrible pain and lasts a couple of days each time. At week 10, this week PT added 2 more stretching exercises. And the pain in my bicep and elbow area is ridiculous, it feels like someone is stabbing me in my bicep and the elbow feels on fire not to mention the pain around the shoulder blade is terrible from such deep massages every time I go. This last a couple of days only to go back to PT and have it done again. It is comforting to know I'm not alone in this recovery. I never imaged how hard recovery is for this surgery. I'm not even sure if I will now go ahead with surgery on the other shoulder. I guess once I'm healed and look back upon the healing process, I can then make the decision. As of right now though, I would say I'll live with the pain as it isn't as bad as this recovery pain
I wish you all good luck in your recovery. And I was wondering how some of you are doing if you are now around the 6 month mark.
bjhodg ricochetred
Posted
At 4 months following rotator cuff surgery. Back to work with the use of the arm and shoulder, though being careful to not lift too much or unnecessarily jerk past my current comfortable range of motion (which is pretty good). Some nights after work, I feel like I may have overdone it and my whole arm feels a bit achy. Even have the sensation that my shoulder itself is hurting, but truly believe it is the upper bicep that is yelling for attention. Am I best to apply ice and not heat? Also, constantly concerned that I may re-injure it, but I can sleep on that shoulder no problem and it doesn't hurt to touch the shoulder, even deeply. In a day or two, the pain seems to diminish. Am I correct in thinking that all of this is just part of the recovery journey and it takes a considerable amount of time to completely return to full function? Any advice from those further down the recovery road?
ricochetred
Posted
I am now 6 1/2 months past surgery and just went back to work 2 weeks ago. The day before I returned to work, I moved several relocated shelves of books, and pushed and moved some boxes in my garage. I was sorry for about 2 weeks with sore bicep and rotator tendons and very sore deltoids and upper biceps. I was worried and had also just been discharged from Ortho. But after a week of taking it very easy and a weekend of no bike rides, I am back to "normal." Normal, now, is that when I do my shoulder exercises for strengthening, or take a long hard bike ride, I get sore in the tendons. I can sleep without much discomfort. If I spend too much time on left side, I awaken feeling very sore in the joint and surrounds but it resolves quickly. I do have some bicep aching/burning if I have done lifting/cleaning etc. I don't feel this shoulder will ever have the lifting capacity that it had before surgery. Earlier on in recovery I would get the stabbing, burning and generally Unhappy biceps. I do still worry about re injury. It's always possible. I would definitely advise continuing to be cautious and continue using cold for relief until at least 6 months. The PA said the tendon, for me at 6 months, was about 85% as strong as it will be. So I will continue to be cautious and work on gradual strengthening. One roadblock I have to strengthening is that I have a fused neck at 3 levels from back. So I have 2 levels of my spine with no spinous process, where shoulder girdle muscles normally attach can now not attach. So normal strengthening exercises, including planks, push ups, pull ups and dips, cause pain in my neck. I feel if that were not the case, I would be doing better. You just need to proceed with care and awareness and consult the Dr if and when needed. Wishing you all the best recovery!
Debbie6703 ricochetred
Posted
Thank you so much for all of your information and good wishes. I really never expected the recovery to be so brutal. Knowing that I seem to fit in with the normal progress of others is somewhat comforting, but oh my gosh, I can't believe the pain that goes with this recovery. I'm 56 years old and work in a factory. I've been through a number of surgeries through out my life and I'd have to say this tops the pain to recovery. I know now how some people say that some times this surgery never fixed them completely and how they went through this twice in hopes for a better outcome (my brother included)only his was years ago and done so differently then now a days. Be careful and I wish you all the best to a full recovery.
MrsHulkSmash ricochetred
Posted
So, I am 6weeks post op biceps tendonitis and ac resection with bone spur removal. Surgery was done laparoscopic, as most are these days. PT started 4days post op & I was in a pillows sling for 2wks post op where I was told after I could stop using sling as tolerated, only needing to wear when in public mostly and was released back to work. (Where I am a bank teller/loan officer) Recovery has been slow and pain meds rarely dull the pain enough to be remotely comfortable. See the doc Wednesday but overall doing well. Still worry about reinjury. Sharp stabbing pains in bicep almost 24/7 have tried NSAIDS and Norco with muscle relaxers, nothing helps. I'm slowly eating a hole in my stomach with the OTC anti inflammatory drugs.. . I feel as if surgery was a mistake bc my pain level is a constant of what it was before at its worst. Hoping that the future looks brighter than the present. Reading these don't leave me very hopeful it will get better sooner rather than later. PT assures me my pain is normal, will see if the doc can help in a couple days with comfort so I can get more than a couple hrs sleep nightly.
shelle27143 MrsHulkSmash
Posted
Sorry you are having pain. I am 7 weeks out from Bicep Tenodesis and labrum repair. I had the sling in 2-3 weeks and started physical therapy at 2 weeks. I was doing pretty well till 6 weeks when I did some small isometric excercises at physical therapy and I am having cramping and stabbing pain in my bicep. It has lasted a week. if I try to straighten my arm it cramps my bicep. This is very frustrating. I have backed off to just my basic excercises the last 3 days and taking ibuprofen and it is slowly getting better. I'm starting to learn that slower progress is better and this is going to be a longer recovery than I expected. I hope that you are finding some relief. I'm going to Physical Therapy tomorrow and talk to my therapist about all the pain.
argill69 ricochetred
Posted
I'm now 14 weeks post bicep tendonesis and release. Had cortisone 6 weeks post op and after this did not work went back in for frozen shoulder 11 weeks post op ( 3 weeks ago). Had a clean out and MUA. PT got my ROM to 150 degrees but poor exterior rotation. However pain is awful. I have not slept more than 3 hours in 14 weeks. Taking Naproxen, tried Codeine now taking Tremadol at night but still waking in pain. Depressed and tired and in constant pain. I had a frozen shoulder op 4 years ago on other shoulder. Pain free in a week. However I get this bicep tenodesis plus an additional MUA is more invasive. Tried everything and ice is probably best. Any ideas out there. I'm probsbly just looking for reassurance as it seems a good % get pain months later. Frustrating, depressing, tiring. I'm fortunate I work in an understanding employer.
theresa47457 ricochetred
Posted
maudrid09453 ricochetred
Posted
5 weeks post biceps tenodesis here for a labral tear repair. Came out of my sling in 10 days. I had to shut down PT during week 4 due to daily pain which therapy was making worse, doing so on recommendation of my therapist. Shoulder is sore, but not terrible, from acromion shave, bursa sac shave and removal. It's the biceps that is making life difficult. Spasm, stabbing pains, rock hard muscle, still swollen despite icing 2-3 times a day and advil for anti-inflammatory control. Don't know about anyone else, but I was very black, very blue, very purple with tremendous bruising post-op on the biceps. Every move I make with the affected arm bites the biceps which remains incredibly painful. Still very painful where the "button" is screwed into the bone. I know people feel 5 weeks post-op is still early in the healing process, but I am behind on the therapy scale now. FYI, I was a heavy lifter, gym 3-4 times a week person prior to this.