Rotator cuff surgery question

Old Blue Fart

All-Conference
Mar 23, 2014
1,515
3,883
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If anyone has ever had a rotator cuff and bicep tenodesis surgery for a complete tear, I would love to hear how you did.
I am 71, had both surgeries last April so I am almost 7 months post op. I have always worked and for someone my age, I more than held my own as they say. But this has been hell for me once I started strengthening in physical therapy.

So far I have two cortisone shots, one in my wrist for all the swelling causing carpal tunnel and one in my shoulder for pain. From the conversation I had with my doctor, I will be getting another cortisone shot next week in my shoulder. I have had three dry needling sessions on my bicep; it keeps having spasms and PT calls them "trigger points".

I have already been told by my doctor that I will not be able to everything I did before and will need to make adjustments on how I do other things. My PT is telling me I will have some really strict restrictions placed on me and going back to my maintenance job is not likely.

I do good until I start using my arm, it is my right arm which is my dominate arm and then my shoulder hurts long with my bicep getting tight. My PT says my "abductor" muscle is not strong enough to hold my rotator cuff in place when I go outward with my arm.

Sitting around is driving me crazy.

If anyone has had this surgery, I would love to hear how you did and how long did it take you to get to where you had no pain.
The only good thing about all this is it happen at work while moving a safe, so it is a good thing I get paid to sit here but it still sucks. Heard a real loud pop like a firecracker. Little did I know then it was my bicep tendon snapping.

Would love to hear how anyone did with this.
Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice.
Go Big Blue
 

cordmaker 74

All-Conference
Jul 5, 2025
204
1,209
93
If anyone has ever had a rotator cuff and bicep tenodesis surgery for a complete tear, I would love to hear how you did.
I am 71, had both surgeries last April so I am almost 7 months post op. I have always worked and for someone my age, I more than held my own as they say. But this has been hell for me once I started strengthening in physical therapy.

So far I have two cortisone shots, one in my wrist for all the swelling causing carpal tunnel and one in my shoulder for pain. From the conversation I had with my doctor, I will be getting another cortisone shot next week in my shoulder. I have had three dry needling sessions on my bicep; it keeps having spasms and PT calls them "trigger points".

I have already been told by my doctor that I will not be able to everything I did before and will need to make adjustments on how I do other things. My PT is telling me I will have some really strict restrictions placed on me and going back to my maintenance job is not likely.

I do good until I start using my arm, it is my right arm which is my dominate arm and then my shoulder hurts long with my bicep getting tight. My PT says my "abductor" muscle is not strong enough to hold my rotator cuff in place when I go outward with my arm.

Sitting around is driving me crazy.

If anyone has had this surgery, I would love to hear how you did and how long did it take you to get to where you had no pain.
The only good thing about all this is it happen at work while moving a safe, so it is a good thing I get paid to sit here but it still sucks. Heard a real loud pop like a firecracker. Little did I know then it was my bicep tendon snapping.

Would love to hear how anyone did with this.
Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice.
Go Big Blue
It sucks!!! I’ve had both done, Pt, is a witch, but if you do what your physical therapist tells you to do you will be fine. I was down about 6 months, I worked at an explosive plant (Dyno Nobel) maybe 7 months before I was able to go back to work, our plant had no light duty! Good luck
 

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
23,751
32,030
113
My wife had rotator cuff surgery in July 2024. Finished rehab in December 2024 because insurance would reset in January 2025. The PT gave her exercises to continue to do. She felt like it was July 2025 before she had fully recovered. She still doesn't quite have the same strength in that arm though.