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Posted 11/9/2013 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello I am new here just wondering if I could get some advice. I had subacromial decompression and bicept tendonesis and a bone spursurgery 10-1-13 and I am still in a great deal of pain. I have been gong to physical therapy since week one after surgery. I have seen my surgeon twice since the surgery and he is not worried about the pain, he mentioned another surgery I might need, something to do with tightening everything in the shoulder so I have another month of therapy before he decides. Anyways my pain level is almost just as bad as right after I had the surgery. I was told to tale anti inflammatory medicine which does nothing. I can not put my hand behind my back at all, not even in a jean pocket it is not that it hurts but it does not go that far. I cant even pull a blanket over myself without causing pain. I ice very often with the rule of 30 on 30 0ff. it has been over a month and sometimes the pain is so bad I cant help but cry is this normal?

Sorry so long but I'm 21 and in the military so I know that the more info the better. Please someone help.

My pain is.... it starts in the collar bone area and is a very strong persistent ache then it moves to the front of my shoulder and goes all the way down to my elbow. cry cry sad
Posted 11/10/2013 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hello again Desiree & thank you for making your intro post. Weekends are always slow but others will pop on and welcome you aboard.

As is said in my other post I have always heard shoulder surgery is a very painful one. And you are really pretty fresh from surgery. Usually as more time goes by it gets better. I think at the 6 month mark you should have a good idea on the results of the surgery. Just try to be patient.

Take care......Susie
Posted 11/10/2013 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome desiree 10

Do you have any chronic conditions? Those can affect healing time / pain levels.

Have had similar surgery but my age & other conditions with existing pain have affected my recovery. Post Surgery pain was pretty intense ..

Do advise that you continue with therapy & follow your doctor's advice
Posted 11/10/2013 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have no other conditions but before the surgery I dealt with the condition for three years. My surgeon is acting like I will be returning to work soon, which I would love to do but I dont feel I am ready I am scared. I guess maybe I didnt anticipate the pain being so bad after the surgery it has been well over a month. I have most of my range of motion back. I can go almost all the way up, almost all the way to the opposite side but round wise I can not go back at all. I had to move which side I put my wallet on because my arm does not go back that far.
The surgeon thought I had a labrum tear which I did not have. But he also said that I may need a surgery where he would tighten everything in my shoulder up. with that being said I was told if I were to have it I would probably not get all my motion back. I just am not sure anymore the pain I had before the surgery was not so bad but I had constant numbness. Now the pain is sometimes unbearable. I am becoming very frustrated and scared.
Posted 11/12/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Dersiree, I suggest having a serious talk with your surgeon about the amount of pain you are having. Make a list of things that you do that are the normal every days things and rate how bad the pain is when attempting these things. What makes the pain worse and what makes it tolerable. This will hopefully help him understand better where you are at. Just sitting and saying I hurt here or there really is not telling him what is going on. Ask him to refer you to a pain mgt dr. If you think he would be unwilling to do this, then ask your pcp to make the referral.

Let us know what you find out.....Susie
Posted 11/12/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
That is a good idea I never thought to do that. My next appointment is the 19th of this month so I will definately do that. The pain managment dr I dont know if he would do he acts like this surgery is like baby surgery it may be to him but to me its not. What does pcp mean?
Posted 11/12/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, PCP means primary care physician, lol. I know some of these specialist think when they do surgery the person is better than they ever were. Do not let him dismiss your pain, it is very real and it is causing you many problems. It is still soon though since your surgery so, in reality this pain does not surprise me because of that factor, Regardless he needs to know & understand where you are coming from with this pain.

Take care....Susie
Posted 11/14/2013 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
good news. my physical therapist changed my routine and the electro shock thing and my pain has gone down a great deal. On monday I was late to therapy and he had to leave early so he had me lift weights rather than stretch, and did not shock me. By shock I mean the pads they attach to your hurt areas and it shocks you, well anyways he did not do it and I did not hurt the rest of monday tuesday and today we did the new stuff and Im still not hurting. I feel a soreness from lifting the weights but it is the same as when you work out. It feels good for a change. But still going to talk with surgeon. I want to go back to work I feel it has been long enough, but at the same time Im scared that I will not be able to perform my job as it is alot of lifting. Anyone else fell this way before?
Posted 11/15/2013 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
hey Desiree,

i had Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression, open surgery last week to remove large amounts of calcium, i am in so much pain, i know it had only been a week, but you have mentioned a month and your still in pain.

i have a fever and a bit of chest infection now. im in the sling but it hurts my elbow so much, i am meant to go to work tomorrow, im a travel agent, and im not looking forward to it, work need me but the dr said i need a min of 2 weeks off, tomorrow will only be over a week.

pain is awful. never going through this again, worst part is my right shoulder shows signs of calcification :(
Posted 11/16/2013 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
The pain is the worst I have ever had as well Bella. I would not go back to work. It has been over a month and I am still not allowed to work yet, however I work in a factory so I lift alot of heavy items all day. For pain what did the doc give you, medicine wise. Your fever and Chest infection could be surgery related. I went through EMT school and the fever definately could be surgery related I would go to the doc soon. The chest infection could be from the tube in your throat. when you were out. Pain ise I am six weeks orso out I have been doing physical therapy since week two they also relocated a tendon in my shoulder. My pain is just now starting to dwindle down. I used ice like it was a religion. Seriously I would ice for 25 mins and 25 mins off then ice again. I hope my info helps if you have any other questions let me know.
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