One for the surgeons....
Discussion
What is the window of opportunity, after injury, of having surgery to repair a detached/torn proximal biceps tendon? I've read that for the distal tendon it is a maximum of three weeks; is the same true for the long head proximal tendon, or is it possible to leave a bigger gap without causing permanent damage?
I think I've ruptured mine....
I think I've ruptured mine....
http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?article=7...
I reckon you've got more than three weeks to get that LHB repaired...could be completely wrong though.Good Luck.
I reckon you've got more than three weeks to get that LHB repaired...could be completely wrong though.Good Luck.
goldblum said:
http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?article=7...
I reckon you've got more than three weeks to get that LHB repaired...could be completely wrong though.Good Luck.
That's me - Popeye :-(I reckon you've got more than three weeks to get that LHB repaired...could be completely wrong though.Good Luck.
Bloody pi55ed off. And worried.
Thanks.
goldblum said:
I've seen a guy detach one of his pecs, that was quite nasty.
Ouch.Thanks for the positive words. It is just a bit of a shock, realising what you've done and what you need for recovery. Including a long recuperation period of no work and hence no money. Not to mention cancelling the January ski holiday that I booked only yesterday.
Mostly though it is the fear of not recovering well enough. Both shoulders have already been repaired once.
Oh well. Onwards and upwards...
I would have said so too. But.... My consultant says there is no point repairing it, as it is primarily cosmetic. He says that I will only suffer a 10% loss of strength, and if he reconnected it the tendon is likely to rupture again.
I'm a little confused and not sure what to do. I will see a physio/chiropractor on Monday to get their view as I also have a rotator cuff issue on that arm.
I'm a little confused and not sure what to do. I will see a physio/chiropractor on Monday to get their view as I also have a rotator cuff issue on that arm.
It is likely to rupture again unless you are very careful with it,i.e. only lifting light weights from hereon and no going crazy. So the options seem to be:
1. Repair the tendon. Your arm will look 'right' but you'll be constantly aware you could damage it quite easily again.
2. Leave it and bypass the hassle of an op and 3 months in a sling but live with a slightly odd looking, weakened (strength-wise) bicep. You'll still be stronger than the average male though, even at a considerable % loss of strength.
Your rotator cuff injury will have to wait. If you don't need an op on it the rest will aid healing.
1. Repair the tendon. Your arm will look 'right' but you'll be constantly aware you could damage it quite easily again.
2. Leave it and bypass the hassle of an op and 3 months in a sling but live with a slightly odd looking, weakened (strength-wise) bicep. You'll still be stronger than the average male though, even at a considerable % loss of strength.
Your rotator cuff injury will have to wait. If you don't need an op on it the rest will aid healing.
The website you posted indicates good recovery for the attachment, but my consultant says not worth it. Which opinion seems to be common.
I would prefer a successful reattachment, but I'm not sure how much of that is just gut feeling rather than considerd thought. The latter seems to be directing me to live with a 10% loss of strength and a weird lumpy bicep.....
I would prefer a successful reattachment, but I'm not sure how much of that is just gut feeling rather than considerd thought. The latter seems to be directing me to live with a 10% loss of strength and a weird lumpy bicep.....
Yes it's an awkward decision. Personally I'd go for reattachment. The worst that can happen is that it comes away and you've wasted the recuperation time.
"The recovery after reattachment of a complete rupture is a very gradual process, and the speed at which the rehabilitation can be progressed is based on the healing process. Very basic exercises for ROM (Range of Movement) are performed initially for the first 6-8 weeks, followed by light strengthening exercises. These are started with 1 pound weights and gradually increased as strength and symptoms allow. Light weight training can be performed (bench press, shoulder press) at the 3 - 3 ½ month post-op mark. Generally speaking, strength becomes normalized anywhere between the 6-9 month post-op period, which includes a return to full unrestricted function."
Whilst it's true that the short head of the bicep is still attached, giving you a reasonable amount of strength in the arm, you will still have a strange looking arm. If you have the operation done you will have to seriously re-evaluate what you can lift for all exercises involving biceps. If you think you can do that then go for the surgery.
"The recovery after reattachment of a complete rupture is a very gradual process, and the speed at which the rehabilitation can be progressed is based on the healing process. Very basic exercises for ROM (Range of Movement) are performed initially for the first 6-8 weeks, followed by light strengthening exercises. These are started with 1 pound weights and gradually increased as strength and symptoms allow. Light weight training can be performed (bench press, shoulder press) at the 3 - 3 ½ month post-op mark. Generally speaking, strength becomes normalized anywhere between the 6-9 month post-op period, which includes a return to full unrestricted function."
Whilst it's true that the short head of the bicep is still attached, giving you a reasonable amount of strength in the arm, you will still have a strange looking arm. If you have the operation done you will have to seriously re-evaluate what you can lift for all exercises involving biceps. If you think you can do that then go for the surgery.
Conversations will continue! A major factor, and I wish it wasn't, is loss off work and therefore income. I can't support a loss of 6 - 8 weeks of work.
Thankfully it isn't my dominant arm, so if I can get back to a level of normailty(apart from using the left arm) within about 3 weeks and I don't lose my window of opportunity due to my existing work commitments then I will start pushing for the operation.
Thankfully it isn't my dominant arm, so if I can get back to a level of normailty(apart from using the left arm) within about 3 weeks and I don't lose my window of opportunity due to my existing work commitments then I will start pushing for the operation.
Conversations will continue! A major factor, and I wish it wasn't, is loss off work and therefore income. I can't support a loss of 6 - 8 weeks of work.
Thankfully it isn't my dominant arm, so if I can get back to a level of normailty(apart from using the left arm) within about 3 weeks and I don't lose my window of opportunity due to my existing work commitments then I will start pushing for the operation.
Thankfully it isn't my dominant arm, so if I can get back to a level of normailty(apart from using the left arm) within about 3 weeks and I don't lose my window of opportunity due to my existing work commitments then I will start pushing for the operation.
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