Shoulder pain and asking for advice

[splitfinger]

I took a fall in Jan. 2021 on soft ground onto the point of the elbow. At contact I felt something pop and had some pain. Fast forward to March 2022...I had my annual physical and told my doctor of the ongoing pain. He took X-Rays and said it wasn’t a torn rotator but rather damaged tendons, gave me a shot of steroids and referred me to a physical therapist for 15 treatments. After 13 treatments my shoulder felt great and I could shoot my 45# recurved with no pain. Now the problem. I was working on my tractor about 10 days ago and while straining to remove a 3/4” nut, I felt a pop again with a severe pain. Afterward I was diagnosed with a torn upper bicep tendon.

So after rambling, can anyone tell me if this pain will subside and if so how long to heal?

Thanks for any response.

[TradHunter]

You need an MRI to diagnose a torn tendon, or rotator cuff injury. But if you fell on it it could be a torn labrum, which is very common with falls. 6-12 weeks depending on how severe but without MRI you will not know the exact issue.

[bobc]

Not personal experience, but my brother tore his bicep doing the exact same thing while working on a water valve. I guess maybe 6 months or so ago. Doesn’t really bother him now.


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[Pedernal]

Did the doc talk to you about therapy?

[splitfinger]

Originally Posted by Pedernal

Did the doc talk to you about therapy?

I was almost complete with therapy when the bicep tendon tore. Definitely not a torn rotator per the Doctor and Physical Therapist. I guess the Bicep tendon was hanging by a thread when it tore loose. I can’t get into the Dr. for another couple of weeks. Right now I can’t shoot a 45 pound Recurve and I’m just hoping it will heal enough by October.

[Trumpkin]

You most likely need surgery ASAP. A couple weeks won't cut it if they need to reattach the tendon to the bone. Clear your calendar and get to a doctor.

[Bisch]

Originally Posted by Trumpkin

You most likely need surgery ASAP. A couple weeks won't cut it if they need to reattach the tendon to the bone. Clear your calendar and get to a doctor.

Agreed^^^^^

The longer you wait on a torn tendon, the less chance there is of it getting reattached properly!

Bisch


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[Pedernal]

Originally Posted by Trumpkin

You most likely need surgery ASAP. A couple weeks won't cut it if they need to reattach the tendon to the bone. Clear your calendar and get to a doctor.

Originally Posted by Bisch

Agreed^^^^^

The longer you wait on a torn tendon, the less chance there is of it getting reattached properly!

Bisch


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I agree with these folks ^^^^. I would stop shooting the bow and find a doctor as fast as possible.

[BillyJack1975]

Coworker of mine tore his bicep at the gym 2 years ago, required surgery but he bad back to 100% after about 9 months after the injury. I had a similar scare months ago, after my MRI my doctor just confirmed I’m getting old and nothing permanently damaged just strained. Sounds like surgery is likely in your situation, best of luck and speedy recovery.

[DRT]

Is the bicep tendon a full thickness tear or a partial thickness tear?
Partial thickness you may be able to heal in 8 to 12 weeks. If you're over 45 years old you may want to have your testosterone levels checked. I had partial thickness tears in my rotator cuff two years straight. After starting replacement therapy I've had no problems since. I healed in half the time the second tear because I started TRT early during therapy and recovery.
YMMV
As for the pain, ain't but a thing. As for immediate surgery, mine was a complete tear off and they repaired it weeks after it occurred. And reattached the labrum, separated my A/C joint from my clavical (calcium bone spur growth) and ground out bone spurs in the shoulder joint.
Find a great orthopedic with a great physical therapy center and do what your told.



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[splitfinger]

I’m having the MRI done in a few minutes to see if they can repair it. Thanks for all the great advice.

[Briar Friar]

Use a dang cheater bar next time and get surgery.

The main surgery trauma will be where they reattch and insert the anchor…somewhere in the shoulder.

Several years ago I tore my lower bicep from the forearm. A titanium anchor was inserted into the bone and tendon stitched up.

I feel for your searing pain. Youll be good to go after surgery and rehab.

Good luck MrSplitfinger.

[Bisch]

Any update Doug???

Bisch


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[ThisLadyHunts]

Joint pain is not to be taken likely and is typically not something you can just "walk off." (This, told to me by my orthopedic surgeon.)

Get yourself to an orthopedic doc who specializes in shoulders, perhaps even one whose focus is sports medicine. He/she will tell you what type of imaging you need and how it is best treated.

[splitfinger]

Had the MRI yesterday and both the rotator and bicep tendons are torn. Scheduling surgery ASAP.

[Pedernal]

Originally Posted by splitfinger

Had the MRI yesterday and both the rotator and bicep tendons are torn. Scheduling surgery ASAP.

Glad you got it looked at. Best of luck with the surgery. Get a recliner if you don’t have one. If the surgery is anything like shoulder surgery the recliner will make it easier to sleep.

[Bisch]

Originally Posted by splitfinger

Had the MRI yesterday and both the rotator and bicep tendons are torn. Scheduling surgery ASAP.

Best of luck Doug. Hope you have a fast and full recovery.

Bisch


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[Hogmauler]

I don’t think a torn bicep tendon can heal itself bro. I was diagnosed with bicep/ rotor cuff tendinitis. I had to stop weight for almost two months. Then I can back train it with light weights and did it again. Now I’ve learned to recognize the early warning signs of the injury and back off. Again, I don’t think a torn tendon can heal itself. I’m surprised the doc didn’t recommend a treatment plan.

[Hogmauler]

Ok just saw your scheduling surgery. Good deal.

[Uncle_Milty]

Originally Posted by splitfinger

Had the MRI yesterday and both the rotator and bicep tendons are torn. Scheduling surgery ASAP.

Not sure where you are planning to go but don't play around in Beaumont - Go to Fondren Clinic in Houston and get it fixed fast & right the first time

[DRT]

Not a great situation but recoverable if you get a good surgeon, therapist and do your part.

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[mjl]

Physical therapy post surgery will most beneficial. You get what you put into it!

[splitfinger]

Thanks everyone. I go to Dr. Carter in Lufkin on Thursday to schedule Surgery. They felt pretty confident the bicep tendon could be reattached but I don’t know for sure.

[JakeM]

I had labrum surgery on both shoulders now. I tried Physical therapy before surgery and it didnt do me any good. I was young in highschool when i had it done on my left shoulder and i didnt rehab it correctly or long enough and its not 100%, its way better than it was but still not great. My right one i rehabbed fully and i dont have any issues out of it.

[splitfinger]

Well, I went to the Orthopedic Surgeon and the bicep tendon cannot be retrieved and reattached. Too invasive but with it detached I will only lose about 10-15% of the strength in my left arm. I am scheduled for surgery on August 15 so most of deer season with my bow is out. I should have rehab complete and back to shooting by early Dec. so that gives me the late season to look forward to. Thanks again for all of the comments and information.

[Bisch]

Best of luck to you Doug with getting this all sorted out!!!

Bisch


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[Stykbow]

Originally Posted by TradHunter

You need an MRI to diagnose a torn tendon, or rotator cuff injury. But if you fell on it it could be a torn labrum, which is very common with falls. 6-12 weeks depending on how severe but without MRI you will not know the exact issue.

This^^^I’ve had 2 torn rotator cuffs that X-rays didn’t show. It was only on the MRI that it showed up and surgery was required. Oh, and one had a torn bicep which was repaired also.
You probably need an MRI in order to be able to tell.


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[DRT]

Originally Posted by splitfinger

Well, I went to the Orthopedic Surgeon and the bicep tendon cannot be retrieved and reattached. Too invasive but with it detached I will only lose about 10-15% of the strength in my left arm. I am scheduled for surgery on August 15 so most of deer season with my bow is out. I should have rehab complete and back to shooting by early Dec. so that gives me the late season to look forward to. Thanks again for all of the comments and information.

I'd find another surgeon. Mine was completely detached. Lump in arm. Pretty dang uncomfortable. The surgery was invasive but worth it

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[Voodoo]

Sir, have you been on Ciprofloxacin recently?

[stickbow]

cuff tears and tendon ruptures occur commonly with out quinilones. if they are doing surgery probably good idea to get second opinion on bicep tendon. no question you are out for bow season just suck it up and do your rehab. write this one off not worth screwing it up again. hunt with a pistol to get your fix. good luck. sorry for your fix