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Will the pain EVER go away?????

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Posted 1/25/2016 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
My first post. I had Rotater Cuff surgery almost 4 months ago. I regained full range of motion in 2 weeks but the pain has persisted all this time and it is getting worse not better. I go to physical therapy twice a week, My shoulder hurts and I have a burning , searing deep pain. Also have the pain in my shoulder as well. Now the pain goes down my arm to my fingers. I was told if the pain is below the elbow it is caused from my neck. The PT is doing neck manipulations which help but for only a few hours. I also just learned I have tennis elbow. So no bent elbow exercises.

Has anyone had this kind of pain after surgery? When did you start to feel better? What did you use for the pain? It wakes me up in the middle of the night. I am at my wits end.

Thanks so much for any help.
Eileen
Posted 1/25/2016 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the CP forum and sorry to hear your having problems. The description your giving sounds like neuropathy or nerve related pain and that can come from various places and your cervical spine is one. Your shoulder repair possibly could have impinged a nerve as well but I would try to get a mri of the spine to rule out that being the culprit and until you have that I would be extremely careful in doing those neck stretches. If you don't have any spinal issues that could be causing the problem then treating the shoulder as your culprits probably your best bet. In treating I'm meaning that keeping inflammation to a minimal as this is generally part of the problem and finding whatever solutions and modalities that bring about relief. Nerve pain is one of the most difficult things to treat and finding the best combination of things to use and sticking to it is what we have the most success with.

Narcotics and mainstream meds don't do much in bringing relief and muscle relaxers,anti-inflammatory meds and meds geared towards nerve related pain seem to have the best results. Have you discussed this with your Dr and what suggestions has been given other than therapy?
Posted 1/25/2016 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Eileen & welcome to Healing Well. Glad you found us but sorry that you have to be here.

I have always heard shoulder surgery is another tough one to recover from. I am guessing you had arthroscopic surgery versus a full blown incision? I am with Vickie, you really need to have your neck checked out to make sure nothing is going on there. An MRI would be very helpful at this point. A lot of the symptoms you are describing indicate potential neck issues. You mentioned a physical therapist manipulating your neck, by this do you mean manipulating like what a chiropractor would do? If this answer is yes, I would not let anyone manipulate my neck until it was checked, sometimes that very thing can cause worse problems.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 1/25/2016 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Eileen,

I'm in agreement about neck manipulation. It made me hurt a little when I read that. PT is great but if they are manipulating your neck with these symptoms, it's time to stop that, get the MRI and go from there.

Hope you find answers soon. Thanks for joining our family here.
Posted 1/25/2016 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have to weigh in on this one. First, as you can see by my signature, I've had both shoulders done, twice! First, arthroscopic, then open decompression.

You may be experiencing 'impingement syndrome'. Even after the arthroscopic repair, there was 'not enough room' for the supraspinatus tendon to move freely. Range of motion is only part of the desired result of surgery.

The amount of time between my first and second surgeries average about 6 months. Sad to say, the impingement syndrome is now considered permanent.

I don't mean to scare you, as you do not even have a new diagnosis yet. Just be prepared. The second surgery helped reduce the frequency of pain, but did not eliminate it for me. If I go beyond my 'limitations' I am sure to 'suffer the consequences'.
Posted 1/28/2016 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have had both my shoulders done, the pain is reduced, but has never gone away completely. This is something that most doctors do not tell their patients. It's not a black and white thing, there may be residual intractable pain and discomfort in one way or another. People who are not in chronic pain have no idea what those in pain endure each day. Living pain free is a gift, most people don't realize what a gift it is until they are in pain for a prolonged period of time. Do your best to deal with it and live the best life you can. Some surgeries take a very long time to feel "completely" healed. Have another orthopedic look at you for a 2nd opinion. Lol, this is not as easy as you would think as most do not want to get involved after another surgeon has operated on you. Better yet go see a neurosurgeon.

As far as PT, that can often cause more pain as they are trying to get your mobility back and range of motion. Usually through strength training and stretching. Sometimes it's best to just let things heal. Keep moving it so it doesn't get tight but don't over do it either. Pt people often have you over do it. it justifies their jobs and the repeat visits. Just my 2 cents.

Post Edited (Cgunther79) : 1/28/2016 4:31:47 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/29/2016 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, surgery isn't always successful. A surgeon will often state that info, but will then talk about all the good stuff that a surgery will accomplish. The majority of people will have a successful surgery, but you won't find those on this site. They are off doing their thing, and not posting on a chronic pain board.

Sorry you are dealing with this.
Posted 1/29/2016 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
The doctors may tell you that it takes 8 weeks to heal from the surgery...this is true but misleading. The surgical scar may be 'complete' in that time, but it takes approximately one full year for the shoulder to be considered 'healed'.

By all means, get it looked at by another doctor. If there is something else going on, you need to know.

I came out of another surgery with neck problems due to the position that I had been placed in for the procedure.
Posted 1/29/2016 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
The other have given you great advise, what I would add is that sometimes surgery can take longer to recover from then what your doctor first states to you. The doctor(surgeon) doesn't always read your complete medical history, mine did not (Knee surgery) and after looking over my file after surgery for the first follow then he told me because of the RA it can take up to a year or longer for the healing. However, I do not think I will get any better and will always need to keep up with post surgery exercises...You could ask your doctor if a steroid injection might help for now.
4 months out is still early from surgery and you need to give yourself time to heal...At the one year mark maybe seek out a second opinion...
Also, I'm in agreement about you getting a neck mri, depending on where the pain is coming from it could be several issues and when you go for your next follow up you need to ask your doctor about this and about getting an mri.
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