Biceps Tenodesis

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Former Member — Tue, 26 May 2020 11:33:36 GMT

Why did you guys choose to have the tenodesis procedure done? Did you have chronic inflammation or maybe did the LHB tendon just tore one day? I am still trying to figure out if I could benefit from a tenodesis as well. A full SLAP repair is out of question for me, since I believe there are too many complications with it.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

sickfish — Tue, 26 May 2020 08:41:27 GMT

Chronic pain, MRI, found it was 90% torn already. Two years later, other side, same thing.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

__steve__ — Tue, 26 May 2020 01:15:53 GMT

I had the surgery because the tendon was torn and yanking at the labrum with resulting weakness.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Former Member — Sun, 24 May 2020 11:58:24 GMT

A few month ago I suffered a SLAP lesion to my right shoulder. It happend while I was doing an intervall set of freestyle. I always swim fast intervalls using a hybrid stroke and the arm I injured was the shoulder driven side. I knew immidiately that I tore my labrum, which was confirmed later through mri. I donÂ´t know for sure whether I tore it due to the hybrid stroke or if I would have torn it too if I swam differently. What really struck me was, that it happend out of the blue. The days and weeks prior to that I didnÂ´t have any biceps tendon or shoulder pain. It really was that from one moment to another it tore, without any signs of announcement prior. Right after the injury I was in pain for many month. The pain was located just behind the AC-joint spreeding into the anterior deltoid and the upper trapezius. My shoulder has became very loose in the antrior-superior area of the shoulder since then, which I guess is because the long head of the biceps works as a humeral head depressor and in the absence of it (SLAP-Tear, tenodesis, tenotomy) the capsule stretches out, but I am not 100% sure if that is correct. So my question is: is here anyone who is swimming successfully with the absence of an intact biceps tendon (tenodesis, tenotomy, SLAP-Tear)? Furthermore can you tell me whether your shoulder has become loose in the anterior-superior area? Did you or do you still have pain on top of the shoulder? I am still under 30 and canÂ´t have surgery right now, because I just started into my first job after university. I feel like my current condition is somewhat similar to those who had the tenodesis procedure.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

__steve__ — Sun, 24 May 2020 10:19:36 GMT

Surgery still might not be needed I have been swimming over a decade with a shoulder that used to fully dislocate even in my sleep. Swimming has actually prevented surgery. However my other shoulder I did have surgery, and it took over 18 months for it to improve better than before surgery. I still have indentations (2 years later and probably will always have) where the surgeon drilled through to repair the labrum, perform the tenodesis, and chondroplasty

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

sickfish — Sun, 24 May 2020 07:23:19 GMT

Yup. I've had tenodesis on both (2015 and 2017), and I'm faster now at 41 than ever. They're a little loose, maybe, but nothing good exercises can't manage. No pain.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Windrath — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 09:43:44 GMT

To All the posters from 2006, Background: Suffered from bicep tendonitis as far back as college (45+ years). Since 2007, it gradually worsened until December 2018 when, during yoga stretch, the LHBT (long head bicep tendon) totally detached. Instantly - no more pain which was nice. But, I worried about the remaining short head bicep tendon being at higher risk of tearing because it is now carrying the entire load. So, scheduled an Orthopedic consultation which was last week. The Orthopedic doctor told me there was no reason to have the LHBT re-attached. This is what Rich said he was told in an early post in this thread. Some literature supports this approach. I am curious if your doctors explained pros and cons or just did the surgery. Other than the "popeye" arm, there does not seem to be any consequence to the detachment. Thanks for sharing your experience. Paul

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

jordangregory — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 11:09:17 GMT

My experience with the biceps tenodesis is that I was at high risk for the new anchor site going bad if I put any tension on it. No flexing the arm at all. Now that I am a year out, no biceps pain at all. I also had my rotator cuff done at the same time. I still have rotator cuff pain if I am swimming and doing resistance exercises during the week. I can get to zero pain if I just rest and stretch. My therapist says it is due to my posture. If I can get my shoulders back all the time, I could do activity without pain.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

__steve__ — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 03:25:10 GMT

With Md’s approval, I was in water once stitches were out. Arm remained passive at all times, did very light kicking using snorkel. It was a little risky, and I had a few painful movements, but it was good to have rom without gravity

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Angie Griffin — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:49:38 GMT

I am 3 weeks today post op. Bicep tenodesis, subacromial and coracoid process decompression. The pain hasn't been as bad as expected or as bad as what I've heard from others who had the surgery, thankfully. I was injured at work and after having a brief respite from the pain with 3 cortisone shots and physical therapy, I elected for the surgery. Overhead work is an occupational hazard of mine so I couldn't bear to just work through the pain. I pre-habbed for months, not getting in any serious swimming so I am looking forward to just doing a kick set; the stationary bike and sling is driving me crazy, I have one more week with this albatross around my neck. Did anyone get in the water while they were still in their sling? Just kicking with injured arm by your side? Although I suppose another week out of the water won't kill me. And the underarm incision... Mine feels very tight, I have been massaging with vitamin E as the physical therapist recommended. Anyone else have any advice on caring for the incision site? Any feedback is greatly appreciated, I have thoroughly enjoyed going through this thread and knowing I am not the first nor the last swimmer in this boat.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Allen Stark — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 04:00:16 GMT

My Dr. was very clear about my not getting in the water until after the sling was off, and then no pulling with that arm until OKd by PT. I don't have any advice about the incision site. Mine is still a little tingly 6 mo after surgery.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

__steve__ — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 04:37:18 GMT

Rt shoulder surgery May 4: LH bicep tenodesis, extensive debridement, chondroplasty w/t 3 anchors. I feel about 60% recovered and expect a good outcome. On the other hand, my Left shoulder now needs serious repair. Years ago it would dislocate, but I managed to nurse it back to decent function through strength and swimming. Unfortunately it loosened up from daily activity while the other arm was in brace. I am relieved to have my right arm step back up and come back to life. It was frustrating trying to function with my free arm slipping around in its socket, popping, and crap. I actually look forward to fixing this one.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Former Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 14:22:15 GMT

In March of 2018 I had a bicep tenodesis, a subacromial decompression, removal of bone spurs, and repair of a small rotator cuff tear. My tenodesis repair was a type where they place the relocated bicep tendon into a sleeve and pull it into a hole in the humerus with stitches; there was no peg involved like others have mentioned. I was in a sling for 6 weeks and restricted to light duty until week 13 when the tenodesis repair was considered fully healed. After 6 weeks in a sling my right arm had atrophied to the point of looking very thin, and I was somewhat concerned at that point. I am back in the pool 5 days a week now and slowly regaining ability, at about 50% yardage and intensity, doing a lot of kicking. Streamlining is still difficult and painful. I am guessing I have another 3-6 months to go until I am back to normal, but it feels good to be back in a swimming routine. I believe I can feel the effects of the decompression in the sense that my shoulder rotates freely and I feel no impingement or pain. I was told that I should do rotator cuff exercises every other day for the rest of my life or at least while I am actively swimming. I still go to physical therapy twice a week. I asked the therapist why the process hasn't been as painful as many describe, and I was told that I had an good outcome because I stuck with my prescribed post-surgery exercises and that I was physically active prior to surgery. I am confident I will be back to 100% at some point. The worst thing about the timing of the surgery was that I'd just swam my first meet in ~35 years and had a really fun time, and then I had to pause to fix a bum shoulder. I can't wait to go to another meet. Sorry if that's a wall of text but I thought some might like to know what the process is like. My understanding of rehab is that if you slack off and ignore the process for any length of time, it can really diminish your outcome.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

jordangregory — Sat, 12 May 2018 02:02:59 GMT

I have had a very long recovery. Just swam in my first meet this weekend (USMS Nationals). Virtually no swim training because I just couldn't get my arm to do what it needed to do without pain. Not pain that I couldn't tolerate, pain that told me I was really irritating and impinging my rotator cuff. I am not messing with that again. Not going to swim through the pain and hurt something again. My physical therapists have been wonderful. They now tell me I had frozen shoulder after surgery. My surgeon said I progressed slower than most. Nobody knows why, just some people do. Maybe because of the extent of the surgery, maybe because I am a big baby. Some people are just more inflamed and develop more scar tissue. All biceps pain I had before surgery is gone. The tenodesis worked well. Just the lingering rotator cuff / impingement pain. Flexibility is still not back to normal, nor is the rotator cuff strength. It is just now to the point where I can hold my arm above my head and streamline off the wall without pain AND to where I can hold it stable. In February, just pushing off the wall and holding my right arm in a streamline position was a workout. I am still having some impingement pain. PT says that if I can get a bit more strength in the rotator cuff (specifically external rotation) and better flexibility (specifically in internal rotation), the shoulder should sit in the proper position and the impingement + associated pain will go away. I didn't know recovery would take this long. I have seen others stories and they were back in swimming their best in much less than a year. Would I have surgery again if I could go back in time, knowing how it would go? Still not sure I would. Hopefully my answer will be yes in a few more months.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Bria — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 03:23:17 GMT

Hi Jordan - I just found out I have a longitudinal tear of the long head of my biceps too - just discussed my surgery options this morning. I read your blog (very helpful!) and am wondering how you are doing now a month later?! Thanks!

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

jordangregory — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:56:17 GMT

Surgery is complete!! They found more issues with my shoulder than expected. Original MRI just showed a biceps tendon tear, but they found some deep partial rotator cuff tears, labrum tear and bone spurs. MRIs don't show everything! I started a blog to outline the surgery and recovery. Hope it helps someone else that had all the questions I did. forums.usms.org/blog.php Interesting journal article on biceps tendon pain. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

sunruh — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 03:55:25 GMT

great news! and yes always more is found

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

sickfish — Wed, 17 May 2017 12:34:58 GMT

I had the procedure done in November 2015. I was 37 at the time. My PT cleared me to get back in the pool (breaststroke and kick only) in December. By the end of December I was able to cautiously swim freestyle. By April I had lifetime bests in the 50 and 100 fly. YMMV :) I did not have a longitudinal tear, but in my experience, and according to the surgeon, it's a relatively easy procedure to recover from. Just listen to your PT.

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

LinMoore — Wed, 17 May 2017 06:48:55 GMT

yes...had it done in 2013. Labrum tears, decompression, etc.. Reattached the bicep. You'll be uncomfortable for a few weeks. Like most surgeries, work hard in rehab and extend it if you can. My recovery path was like sickfish's above. Back in water kicking , swimming one armed after a month, up to 40,000 yds a month in 3 months. Full throttle after that. It's better than new

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

sunruh — Wed, 17 May 2017 02:50:34 GMT

yep i have the $4000 plastic screw as well had it done in may 2013 by no means is this an easy operation but you can get through it make darn sure you get the polarpak ice machine with the shoulder cuff i pushed rehab pretty hard and was back swimming..first kicking only then 1arms then both arms free and finally fly i've done pretty good since then ;) steve

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

jordangregory — Tue, 16 May 2017 01:56:29 GMT

I have enjoyed reading this older thread. Lot of good encouraging stuff. Planning to have a biceps tenodesis at the end of the month. It appears I have a rather rare injury to my biceps tendon (longitudinal split tear of the extra-articular cartilage). I tried rehab several times, but the shoulder kept getting reinjured. I never could get to working out as hard as I would have liked. Brining this thread back after 5 years. Does anyone have any recent experience with a biceps tenodesis with return to swimming? Specifically with a longitudinal tear?

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

Former Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:35:18 GMT

Kevin... wow..looking at the date of this thread...has it been that long?? I s'pose I shouduv done a follow up post revealing the happy ending...because indeed there is... I had the decompression first, which may have worked if I hadn't been overly aggressive getting back in the water...The tenodesis was prolly 8 months later, and the recovery was a bit longer, or perhaps I was more enlightened, and was easier on it...anyway, I have had some prolonged periods of pretty intense workouts since (for an old guy), swimming times close to all time bests, and have no more shoulder problems... Now, would you like to hear about my knee issues? Lemmie know if you'd like me to expound, because, indeed, I can... My shoulder problems and my wailing to the cosmos on this forum and others, did more to promote my creative writing than anything since Miss Braymer in 6th grade...

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

swimnfit — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:31:20 GMT

Bruce, Thank you very much for the replay and update. That's all good news.:applaud: Here's my situation: a week and a half ago my dog (90 LB Lab) fell from the dock getting into my boat. there was no way to easily lift her up onto the dock. I had assistance from a neighbor of mine and we both lifted the dog out (BTW... she's fine and had this look like it was the most exciting swim she had ever had) However, in the process of lifting I managed to tear the Long Head Biceps tendon on my left side. This is especially disapointing since I had been acheiiving an optimum level of performance in my swims and was even planning to do a meet the following day of my injury. I'm 54 and when the Docs first saw the injury they started to give me some research statistics citing minimal loss if the tendon was not reattached. (mainly they cited age and sedentary habits) I may be 54 but I am definetly not sedentary. I pushed to have the tenodesis done but in the back of my mind I still have some reservations and fears. Tuesday I go under the knife and I'm really hoping that I may be able to (ever so lightly) get back in and swim in about 6-8 weeks. I'm going to go easy but assertive in my recovery. I hope I'm making the right decision and that my swimming level will get back up to speed in about 6-8 months. Thoughts, advice and comments always appreciated. :afraid:

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

orca1946 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:29:46 GMT

As a side bar -- I'm having my lower deltoid looked at on Thur. for pain/soreness when I DO LOTS OF FREE & FLY~

RE: Biceps Tenodesis

gdanner — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 04:25:31 GMT

I know this is an old thread but I too am going to have a Tenodesis perfromed on the long head tendon of my bicep. Is there any (newer) information or experiences that anyone can share regarding recovery time and issues/effects of post op? Any information is appreciated greatly. Bruce is a friend of mine. I don't think he's posted on the forums any time recently. I'll see if he can update this thread with his experience. As a side note, he's had 3 Long Distance All American swims since 2006, so he was definitely able to get back into shape!