I’ve been having some serious rotator cuff and impingement issues for awhile and ended up with a bicep tendon rupture. I finally went to see a surgeon, had xrays and an MRI. Decision was to do a tenodesis (attach the tendon to the bone if it looks like it will totally rupture) and clean up the shoulder. Was in the process of scheduling the the surgery etc. with the original surgeon’s practice partner because original guy didn’t do surgery anymore. Had my pre-op physical, etc. Found out the partner wouldn’t take my insurance bought on the ACA exchange because of the reimbursement rate.
So…back to square one and find a surgeon on my plan. Go to see this guy and he suggests that we do a tenotomy - just cut the tendon and let the bicep relax into the arm. Creates a “Popeye” Muscle. Then he says he doesn’t want to do surgery until after a cortisone shot and 4 weeks of PT before we make the decision. Had the shot, doing PT with minimal improvement at this point.
So my question is – has anyone else had experience with either procedure? I don’t want a popeye muscle, what woman does? I don’t want a deformed arm because I like to go sleeveless, but it’s the easy way for the surgeon and probably a fast recovery. Furthermore, I understand that it results in a 20 -30% loss of strength. Seems to me this is the easy way out for the surgeon and not necessarily what I want.
Right now I can’t put my arm behind my back, can’t swim, bike is painful in aero bars because arms is shoved up into my shoulder and the motion of moving my arm back and forth running is pretty pain…in other words I’m kind of a train wreck right now.
Your input and experience and opinions gratefully appreciated.
I’m interested in which one you elected to have performed and the results. I’m also interested in any one else who may have had one of these completed. My ortho has recommended a tenotomy; however, from what I’ve read a tenodesis may be more appropriate.
I had a tenodesis in December 2014. My surgeon wouldn’t consider the tenotomy because I’m young (relatively) and active. He said he would never consider leaving me with a “dangling bicep tendon” (his words).
The reason for my surgery was a rough bone that was pinching / rubbing the bicep tendon. I had 3 cortisone shots over an approximately 9 month period prior to my surgery, along with many rounds of PT. The first shot worked for 6+ weeks, the second close to 6 weeks and the third for maybe 4 weeks. Three shots in a 12 month period was the most my surgeon would do; the next option was surgery.
Surgery itself was not bad - the anesthesiologist actually used twilight instead of a general. My surgeon detached the bicep tendon on the top of my shoulder, shortened it and reattached with a pin to the bone below the shoulder. He also cleaned up the rough edges on my shoulder bones while he was in there. I was home that night and felt great until the block on my arm wore off. As long as I kept up with the pain meds, recovery wasn’t that bad - I was in PT and back at work approximately 3 weeks later.
I’m happy to provide more info if you have any questions on specifics. Personally, I’m glad I had the surgery. I know that I am still not 100%, but I feel much better than I did before surgery - and my surgeon warned me that I would feel the effects for 12-18 months while everything healed. I started swimming again about 4 months after surgery. I still have day when it is a little uncomfortable in the water, but again, I feel much better than I did before surgery, even on those rough days.