I had shoulder arthroscopy with a Bankart Repair, Remplissage (technique to deal with large, engaging Hill-Sachs lesions that involves anchoring part of the rotator cuff into the divot in the bone), and tightening of the front of the joint capsule on January 5. I just started, per surgeon’s orders, physical therapy this past Monday (February 1).
All that’s being done at this point is passive movement, mostly stretching, not past 30 degrees of external rotation or above shoulder height to the front.
I’ve only had it twice, but the pain is excruciating. On the pain scale of 0-10 (10 being the worst, 0 being no pain) I went from approximately a 3 (on 800mg of ibuprofen) or a 5-6 (no painkillers) on Sunday to an 8 Monday night after PT, had my second session today, and am currently hovering around a 6 on percocet (which was prescribed post-surgery- I had a few left and the pain after PT was around a 9).
Anyway, what I’m wondering is, is this level of pain normal at this stage? I’ve left a message for my surgeon, but tomorrow is his surgery day, so it’s unlikely he’ll get back to me before Monday (possibly tomorrow night if he checks with his office before going home). If it reaches such a high level (8-10) again, should I just not worry about him for the moment and go to the emergency room, or is this to be expected and the ER will just tell me to ice/rest/take anti-inflammatories, etc?
Just some stats that may or may not be relevant:
22-year-old female in good physical condition (5′5″, 117, exercise regularly and eat healthily)
Injury was from a bicycle accident in October that resulted in a dislocation and severe instability
Currently taking Avelox (Leviquin) for chronic sinus infection
No other health problems
Thank you!
#1 by mistify on February 14, 2010 - 1:58 pm
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Certainly, tell your therapist. However, you had quite a signficant injury and I would expect this level of pain. However, I would not expect the 8-10 pain to last more than a few hours. It would be normal to be around 3-6/10 fairly regularly at this point.
Its relatively normal to be relatively comfortable while you are still immobilized but to have a temporary resurgance of pain now that it is being moved. Your tolerance should start to increase within the next week…but if your severe pain is lasting more than a few hours or your tolerance doesnt’ start to improve, I would recommend calling the surgeon again.
The other consideration is the Leviquin which can cause signficiant joint pain in some people…however, it would be more likely to occur all over your body and not just the shoulder.
#2 by Anonymous on February 14, 2010 - 7:41 pm
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I am sorry you are in pain i know how you feel. I got surgery 6 months ago and PT was brutal. My first sessions i walked out with bruises. I think your pain is totally normal i had the same thing and my shoulder is doing much better today. to get over the pain i took advil and alot of frozen pees. dont be worried by all the pain i was in pain for months during pt. it will get better. you seemed to go straight from surgery to pt which is not what i did… maybe thats why you are in so much pain.
good luck and stick with pt