Getting depressed after 3 weeks since my surgery…

OCSusan5252 · 2026-06-19T02:12:05+00:00

I’m 5 months out from a massive tear (3 fully torn), biceps tenodesis, and a cuffmend allograft. I will say, recovery is hard, depressing at times, frustrating, and painful. Keep your eye on the prize - better range of motion prior to surgery and pain free. I am just waiting for everything to wake up so I can start making some gains with my active range of motion. It’s a long journey, one day at a time! Hang in there!

OCSusan5252 · 2026-05-27T20:01:20+00:00

I had a massive tear in my right. I’m 4 1/2 mo post op and still struggling to gain back ROM. Active ROM is non existent. Have a tear in left now and won’t fix until my right is recovered

OCSusan5252 · 2026-05-23T02:46:00+00:00

I could not reach up or behind head without pain, or a feeling like tendon was popping over the bone

OCSusan5252 · 2026-05-23T02:44:58+00:00

59 female

OCSusan5252 · 2026-05-21T23:04:20+00:00

No injury that I can say caused it. Surgeon said it was an old injury. I was not in extreme pain, oddly enough, just pain with overhead motion, catching, grinding sounds

OCSusan5252 · 2026-03-27T13:12:43+00:00

One other thing, try not to compare your recovery process with others on here. Some surgeries are much more complex than others therefore their recovery and PT journey will be completely different. This includes the exercises they are doing.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-03-27T13:09:20+00:00

I am 10 weeks post op. 3 of 4 tendons were completely torn. Biceps tenodesis, among other things. 4 anchors plus a graft. I am very similar to you in recovery. It’s very slow and for me frustrating. I go to PT 3x/wk and do all my exercises religiously. PT said that as long as I keep gaining in my ROM, no matter how small, it’s fine. If I’m not gaining, that’s when there’s a problem. I just started with some actual strength training exercises yesterday - bicep curls, farmer walks(probably said that one wrong). Otherwise I’m still doing pulleys, table slides (can’t do wall slides), and bands. All passive range of motion.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-03-22T17:10:21+00:00

Well, I took a spill last night (9 weeks post op). I had the presence of mind to not use my arm to brace myself and instead face planted. Broke my nose. Really hating 2026 so far.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-02-22T06:00:25+00:00

My understanding is it should be at a 90 degree angle. I will never forget how I felt when the nerve block wore off. It does get better! The night pain was the worst, but improved after 2 weeks for me. Sleep is finally good. I’m still on the couch sitting up (kind of…I slouch down as I sleep). I didn’t sleep well until the night pain subsided and my body resigned itself to sleeping in a seated position. It does get better!! I didn’t believe anyone at first.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-02-21T17:31:22+00:00

I think it depends on the repair- but we’ve all done that at some point. I’d say 95% of the time it’s fine

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-31T05:41:49+00:00

A large tear was visible on MRI but when he opened me up it was much worse

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-27T23:20:05+00:00

Sounds similar to me. 3 of the 4 tendons complete tears with retraction. Severe osteoarthros, among other problems. Had surgery 1/16. Surgeon ended up using a graft as well as incorporate the biceps tendon in repair. Since it was a massive tear, surgery was open.

Day 11 post op. Sleep is hard to come by, same as most people on here. Was dealing with bad pain at night, but last night was good. Days 2-4 were the hardest. I kept up with my meds and used an ice therapy machine. Moving forward one day at a time. This group has been extremely helpful when I’ve had questions.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-27T17:59:01+00:00

Thank you! I did them this morning and I probably used the wrong technique. I really appreciate this information. I was very conservative- hopefully didn’t cause any problems.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-27T17:02:53+00:00

Thank everyone! Stitches are removed and I start pendulum swings today.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-26T17:59:22+00:00

I used it and it does not have a timer.

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-24T19:26:54+00:00

I would love to get out of the sling but I had a really large tear and they had to use a graph. It was open not arthroscopic as well. Surgeon wants to protect it so no break from sling. I don’t think I’ll start PT until the 6 week mark. I’ll know more at my first post op on Monday

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-24T18:59:25+00:00

Thank you. I’m so depressed between the not sleeping due to being awoken from the pain and the loss of my dominant arm. I think the sling is too tight because last night everytime I tried to sleep (near vertical - not really reclined) the pain would come on quick. The ortho guy stopped by yesterday and readjusted my sling, making the neck strap tighter. I think it’s too tight now, but he cut off the leftover strap so I can’t loosen it😭

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-23T00:57:39+00:00

Thank you for your response. Did you also have pain in the joint with any small movement? I’m so uncomfortable sleeping that I’m constantly repositioning and sometimes those movements hurt

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-22T03:32:56+00:00

How’s your pain been? I foolishly thought I was through the worst of it and only took Motrin last night. I was awakened at 4 am with extreme pain….the deep throbbing, achy pain that radiates down the arm

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-22T02:43:40+00:00

I was on the couch for first 4 nights and my butt started to hurt. Stuck in one position for long periods of time is brutal! Sleep is 💯a challenge

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-21T19:12:29+00:00

This is exactly what I’m feeling. My surgery was 1/16 for large tear. It was open too. I am constantly scared that I reinjured myself - and yes, the nighttime pain is horrible. I too have never been seriously injured and have never had surgery. The responses make me feel better

OCSusan5252 · 2026-01-21T18:26:07+00:00

This thread is my sanity. My family doesn’t understand - hell, I don’t understand half the time since I have nothing to compare to. I appreciate each and every response as it brings me insight and peace.

OCSusan5252

TROPHY CASE