week 15 Bicep Tenodesis update!

I can't believe how bad I have been this week! With my brother and his family driving from Washington State to Minnesota for the week, I have been very lax in my physical therapy. I maybe did 1/2 of 1 session every day, vs. 2 sessions twice a day. And, I didn't do any strengthening.

And, I am feeling it. A lot of stiffness. More pain during the night/morning. When you are so exhausted, and dead on your feet from all the sightseeing, cooking, visiting, etc. the last thing on your mind is to go through an hour of stretches and strengthening exercises.

So, I am back to the grindstone. Still exhausted, but by Monday I will be on a roll again (this weekend I am playing catch up, focusing mostly on my stretches!!)

I have almost full use of both arms now. 15 weeks post op, and while I have tenderness during the day and pain during the night, and of course, stiffness in the morning, I am able to open heavy doors with either arm, carry bags, lift things, etc. What limits me now is my strength (which I am slowly working on).

I can now reach behind my back with both arms, even though it is still painful. That stretch with my left arm, and the one where I bring my arm across my front, to the other shoulder, to stretch, are still the most painful stretches that I do.

I definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though I am tight and stiff from not doing my physical therapy this week, (well, for 5 days since my appt on Monday where the PT said I was doing well), the pain is actually getting better, day by day. little by little.

Next week I hope to have a better update for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca

left shoulder: bicep tenodesis, subacromial decompression, and distal clavicle excision 8/12/2010
right shoulder: subacromial decompression and distal clavicle excision 9/16/2010

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