Labral tear, tenodesis. Need opinions.
I've read every thread I can find, but most of the injuries are more severe than mine. I'm mostly wondering if surgery is really necessary at this point, and whether it can be avoided altogether.
Quick overview. I felt a stabbing pain between my neck and the tip of my shoulder doing wide-grip push-ups. After trying to ignore it and then taking some time off, I started physical therapy. PT for about 4 months. Minimal progress that was erased every time something minimal happened, like catching myself on the handrail when I tripped going up the stairs.
I finally got an MRI that showed a low grade rotator cuff tear (not a concern) and a labral tear. Stability and strength are normal, the only issue being pain and discomfort. Pull-ups have never really bothered me since the "injury", but push-ups have been an issue. I got in with "the shoulder guy" that comes highly recommended, and is known for being conservative...for a surgeon. He and my running doc agree that, given the lack of progress with PT, surgery is the best option. The surgeon says he won't know until he sees it, but suspects that repairing the labrum won't be ideal, and that I should plan on a Biceps Tenodesis.
During PT, I did the prescribed exercises and anything that was okayed by the PT. Any pain during or after led to a slow elimination of many exercises. After the MRI, I worked with my PT to develop a set group of shoulder exercises and a modified upper body workout. However, knowing that "the damage is done" and that surgery is imminent, I've been less concerned about pain, and have essentially gone back to doing everything I was before. This, along with upping the weight for my PT exercises has led to a gradual decrease in pain.
Day to day, pain is minimal and mostly manifests itself as neck pain/stiffness and a burning at the tip of my shoulder. Workouts are mostly painless, swimming and biking can be uncomfortable, but are completely doable. More severe pain comes from random stuff like handing money to the toll booth guy. Playing with the kids generally leads to a couple "oh shit" moments, but isn't really limited. I have found that certain activities can lead to soreness. We spent a week at the beach, and towards the end, I was sore to the point that I couldn't sleep in certain positions. That resolved with a day or two of returning home.
I guess that's not a quick overview. I sort of feel like surgery has to happen at some point, but I'm in good shape and in minimal pain, so I don't really want to do it now. There is some pressure to do it before the end of the year since we've met our family deductible for the year, so that would save a lot of cash, but I'm not going to let money be the clincher for something as major as this. I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences.
Remind me. We'll send him a red cap and a Speedo.
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