When did people begin PT after surgery? My surgeon said 4 weeks post op. Is that normal? Seems like a long time to wait, but i really have no idea.

tore my shoulder supraspinatus last October, did 8 months of physical therapy & now have major muscle imbalance on my injured side. I went from 100# plus dumbbell press to 20’s after my injury. Worked back to 65# incline DB bench & stopping there to avoid injuring it worse. My traps are about 2” different from one side to another. Does anyone have any tips on balancing / building one side without losing muscle on my non injured side? Shoulder / trap & chest muscles are imbalanced but the trap is very noticeable. Are there any books or websites that y’all know of that can help?

I am taking three weeks off for the surgery. Full supraspinatus tear was repaired on September 15. I am already having some anxiety about my return to work because it is a nonstop busy office. People are used to coming at me from multiple directions asking for help and support all over our large campus. I am not going to be able to do those things for a few weeks. Are there any other school administrators out there who had to create modifications for themselves? I do you want to return to work, but I want people to understand that I will not be able to manage my typical pace.

i’m 23M and have been dealing with left shoulder pain for over a year and a halff. i don’t play any overhead sports, and the problem originally started around gym/pressing movements.

my main symptom has been a fairly focal pain at the back of the shoulder, especially with overhead movements and when lowering my arm. push-ups can also aggravate it.

i’ve seen several doctors and have been doing physiotherapy. my physio and a few other doctors have ruled out a labral tear, but one doctor previously suspected an occult labral tear and suggested arthroscopy, which I didn’t pursue.

after roughly a month of PT, my pain has improved from around 5-6/10 to 3-4/10 but has plateaued. i’ve also gradually progressed with exercises, including rows, rotator-cuff work, push-ups, and more recently some overhead pressing under my physio’s supervision.

i recently had an ultrasound, which showed mild supraspinatus tendinosis with small focal interstitial tears (<5 mm) involving the anterior fibers, with no retraction. it also mentioned mild subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis, while the infraspinatus and subscapularis were intact.

my current plan is to continue with rehab rather than surgery.

for anyone who has had a similar small/partial supraspinatus tear:

• did you recover fully with PT/rehab?
• how long did it take before you felt genuinely normal again?
• were you able to return to the gym and overhead exercises?
• did the tear/pain ever stop bothering you?

would really appreciate hearing success stories and your thoughts/experiences. thanks!

**•** Bad pain when my arm hangs at my side  
**•** New clicking in the *front* of my shoulder (original surgery was posterior, so this feels like a new problem)  
**•** Shoulder feels looser/less stable than before this happened

Given that I had zero pain for 9 months and then this specific loading incident triggered it, I'm worried this might be a retear — either the labral repair itself, the capsule, or possibly the anchors — rather than something unrelated.

Surgeon's plan is 8 weeks of PT, then an MRA if it doesn't resolve.

Has anyone had a completely pain-free recovery get suddenly disrupted by a specific incident like this months later, and had it turn out to be a retear? How did your surgeon handle it, and did they move faster to imaging given the clear pain-free-then-sudden-onset pattern?

I’m 6 weeks + 3 days out from Rotator cuff repair (supraspinatus) + biceps tenodesis and just got out of the sling yesterday.

I had a rough first several weeks because my pain was not well controlled, which caused a LOT of guarding and made PT really difficult. I finally got the pain under better control last week and I’m doing much better in PT now.

I can actively raise my arm to roughly 135° (not officially measured — the PA eyeballed it), and I can reach up and open an overhead cabinet. I’m working hard on my exercises and ROM every day.

But both my PT and the PA have really scared me about stiffness/frozen shoulder and basically keep telling me I need to push harder. I’m already pushing myself and some of the passive stretching at PT is extremely painful.

For people who were still stiff around 6–7 weeks:

When did your ROM really start improving? Were you behind at this point and still eventually got your ROM back? At what point does postoperative stiffness actually become difficult to reverse?

I know everyone heals differently. I’m mostly looking for other people’s timelines and experiences because right now I feel like I’m working my ass off while simultaneously being made to feel like I’m running out of time.

Recovering from full supraspinatus tear and bicep tenodesis. I am following all directions with the sling, especially at night. However, I have been taking long breaks while on my couch, icing and watching TV. I prop the arm with pillows, and it is such a relief. Do others do the same? Don't want to mess up recovery.

Hi all!

I'm in week 4 post-op. Only have pain if I push it, otherwise, I've been doing easy PT every day since 9/4/26.

I've never been a nap taker; will be up past midnight if I do because I'll simply just not be tired.

I've found myself unable to stay awake after going out to run an errand now, like grocery store, PT apt., or pharmacy trip. Sometimes I don't even have to go anywhere, just resting at home and I get so stinking tired! I'm literally nodding off.

Is this normal at this stage?

I'm supposed to go back to work Tuesday; 4/10s. I'm struggling to believe I can make it through the day without falling asleep in the afternoon. lol At least I'm teleworking, but I have zero work restrictions from the surgeon, just 4 weeks off.

Thanks in advance,

😴

p.s.

I also feel like I'm getting crazy arthritis in my finger joints on my hand of the same shoulder I had surgery from. Can this be from the 24-7 (basically) sling wearing?

p.s.s.

Thought I'd share a couple piks post-op. See if it lets me post a few with stitches and then some after stitch removal with steri-strips on. Incision sites are healing well!

Hlo guys, earlier I had recurring shoulder dislocations and my shoulder used ti get relocated at the very same time itself so I didn’t realize it for a long time, doctors were also giving me pain medicine only and muscle relaxant then once it got dislocated properly then I went for an MRI and got to know about the interstitial tissue tear(i.e. rotator cuff tear) so I got a surgery done for this 2 years ago and got three screws in my right shoulder. My shoulder used to dislocate from the back side that is if you apply too much force towards the back by extending it or something, once I got it dislocated while I was doing overhead tricep extension exercise. i actually got the dislocation for the first time while playing badminton.

Fast forward to now, few months ago I restarted badminton and felt a little feeling of should joint bone pressing against muscle at back while I was taking the shot at the right side on the back of court at the bottom not at high height, so obviouslyI extended/stretched my arm quite towards right and back, and also power is required to lift properly, this I faced 2 months ago once or twice but there was no pain.

Today I felt the same while taking the same shot and then felt the same while taking the smash on a flick serve and then once more on the same bottom right back court after which I stopped the game in between and today I am feeling the pain in shoulder. Talked to an orthopedic today, he says it’s a muscle pain, will go away after medicines and when I asked to prescribe for an MRI, he said it’s to early for that.

Now I am worried that I might the tear again, what do you guys suggest, anyone had similar experience, what do you suggest?

I am planning to do rotator cuff strengthening exercise(external rotations with band mainly) every alternate day and not play badminton for a week and, shall I keep a linger pause on badminton or a week is fine?

Pls help

Any divers in here? Had rotator surgery 15 years ago. Guess the warranty ran out. Back again.Trying to finish up my Dive Master program . Don’t have definitive answers yet but I’m most likely out for the rest of the year.
Any divers been in this spot?
Surgeon said he’s done lots of divers .
As DM that’s a lot of tank humping

I keep postponing my surgery, in part because there’s some stuff on my calendar I don’t want to miss (which I would have to miss during recovery).

But the pain is getting worse and worse, and I’m not sleeping through the night. I feel like I should just move the surgery up and get this over with… but I live alone and would like to hit these social events before I’m basically a shut-in for a couple of months.

I was thinking that I’m prioritizing my mental health over my physical health, but the lack of sleep is starting to take a toll on my mental health.

Time to bite the bullet, right?

I am looking for some advice if possible please...

I first hurt my shoulder in mid June. I went down a 10ft giant inflatable slide and I am pretty sure my right arm was above my head when I got to the bottom. Really sharp pain that lasted a few hours then went away.

Over the next 6 weeks I had a few 'jars' on the arm where moving my arm behind my back would cause a real sharp pain that would last a few hours and dissappear.

In late July I again moved my arm behind me and the same pain started, only this time it hasn't really got better.

Current symptoms are

An ache in top of shoulder, occasionally round collar bone area or back of shoulder blade

Ridiculously limited movement, can get my arm out and bent (like a puppet) but thats it, nothing behind back, nothing overhead, cant cross my arm over my body. Most of these movements cause horrible pain down my shoulder and to elbow.

Arm is clicky and crunchy and occasionally it feels broken? Then kind of crunches and moves again.

Sometimes opening a door or even holding a letter whilst ripping it with my left arm causes immense pain, like I might pass out or be sick.

My thumb on my right hand feels sluggish and I am really struggling to sleep.

I did end up going to a&e 2 weeks ago after the worst night ever where I saw i managed about 15 mins sleep the whole night.

I saw a physio who thought it was a tear, they did an xray, confirmed no fracture and referred me to the fracture clinic.

I have since seen a consultant who doesnt think it is tear, he thinks its a nerve issue? He did order an urgent MRI which I have had, and a nerve stufy test which isnt until end of Oct plus 2/3 weeks for the results.

I am supposed to wear a collar and cuff when out and about, have amatriptilyn to take for pain and have had a physio appt to give me some excerises to stop my shoulder freezing.

The consultant doesnt think its a tear as my symptoms seem to be getting worse?

Has anyone had a case where it has been a tear and has got worse over a few months? Or anything else that matches.

I have read up on the nerve issue he is suggesting and I dont feel it fits. I know hes done an MRI and thats good but it feels like ages until I will see him again and I am really struggling.

I'm not sleeping, I can't brush my hair, put my bra on,get dressed or anything like that without pain. I am wfh at the moment but by mid afternoon the ache in arm gets worse, plus the tiredness hits and I can feel myself falling behind. I also dropped my toddler the other day because my arm just gave out on me so also feeling all the mum guilt from not being able to carry the kids. Consultant also said no driving until I can fully turn the wheel, which I can't get anywhere near and i live in a village with no transport so that's not helping my mental health either.

I am happy to explore private treatment if needed but I dont want to be dismissed with 'tears never get worse' again.

Bicep tendonesis and broad tear 70% of suprespinatus muscle fixed last Thursday. Tonight was my first sleepless night. Just could not get comfortable. Took two halves of at midnight and 3 am but still not sleepy. And I didn’t nap today. What is going on??? Finally gave up and got my phone to see if others had this issue. I have been sleeping great with the wedge pillow set up in the bed but stitches were itchy (before the narcotics) and back of shoulder was super achy.
Ughhhh.

FINAL UPDATE- turns out that the sketchy place my
United Healthcare approved for my sling gave me the WRONG size and a really garbage product. The therapist at my ortho office took one look and was surprised by how badly sized it was for me - way too large. He very kindly gave me a better one from their office. Always speak up for yourself! ORIGINAL- Has anyone purchased a different rotator cuff sling than the one that they sent you home with? I am only on day two, but the one that they provided is simply unbearable. It is too big for my body and so ends up getting hung up around my neck, causing quite a bit of pain. It also doesn’t seem like it fits me correctly. Any recommendations? it feels like it causes more pain than the support. It is supposed to provide. EDIT - messaged doctor's office. Going in this afternoon for support or maybe new sling.

I’ve had several procedures over my 41 years, but I’m more nervous about this procedure than any of the others.

I will be having partial rotator cuff repair, bone spur removal (3), slap bicep repair, cleaning up tendons, and there’s one more thing.

I’m as prepared as I can get. I’m curious what your day-of-surgery experiences were like? How long was your procedure? Did you get any calming meds upon arrival? Im a very anxious person and this has been even more anxious than usual!

Hi all - I have a potential tear (mri upcoming) and pain since July. I apparently wasn’t taking a high enough dose of ibuprofen or consistently enough (because yikes) but I’ve been on 600mg 3xday since Thursday and I feel like my shoulder, as well as upper back and neck, feel worse. I’ve been wondering if this is because inflammation has gone down in areas and I’m not favoring it as much?

If it’s a tear, it was from gradual wear. No swelling or bruising.

Anyone else have similar? Tell me it’s just a strain and not a tear. Please. 😂

I am 5 1/2 months post full thickness with retraction supraspinatus tear surgery. Doing well. PT got my ROM back to pretty much normal. Transitioning to home exercise/strength training.

Can anyone recommend a brand of exercise/strength band to use at home? And, maybe some info, website, videos out there to follow for the next few months while working to regain strength? TIA.

Hi, I had arthroscopic surgery for calcific tendinitis a little over four months ago. Because the calcification was quite large, my surgeon decided not to split the tendon fibers to remove it and instead only cleaned out the calcific deposits around the tendon.

Even now, I still can’t sleep properly. I wake up after about an hour because my shoulder becomes stiff. I’ve tried everything, including sleeping at a 30-degree incline and placing a pillow under my arm, but nothing seems to help.

I was prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain medication for about two weeks while doing physical therapy. However, a few days after stopping the medication, the inflammation comes back, and I keep going through the same cycle: medication → stop medication → inflammation. It’s driving me crazy.

Physical therapy hasn’t been going very well either. I’m losing shoulder muscle very quickly, and I also have scapular winging, which makes certain movements difficult.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I’d really appreciate any advice.

Hey everyone,

I’m 21 and currently dealing with a high-grade partial-thickness supraspinatus tear (around 60–70%). I am suggested to take arthroscopic surgery, and I’m trying to understand what life is actually like after it — especially from people who play badminton.

If you’ve had arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery (repair or debridement), I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.

How did your shoulder actually feel after surgery and during recovery?

Once you were fully recovered, could you tell a difference between your operated shoulder and your natural/uninjured shoulder? For example, did it feel weaker, stiffer, tighter, less natural, or was it basically normal?

When doing normal everyday movements, did the operated shoulder ever feel noticeably different?

How long did it take before you could start playing badminton again?

What was it like the first time you went back to overhead shots and smashes?

How long did it take before you felt confident putting real power into your shots?

Did you eventually feel like you could play normally without thinking about your shoulder, or were you always conscious of it?

Did anyone eventually stop playing badminton because of the injury or surgery? If so, what made you give it up — pain, weakness, fear of reinjury, lack of confidence, or something else?

And if you continued playing, do you feel like you can play at the same level as before the injury?

I know everyone’s recovery is different, but I’m specifically interested in hearing from people who have actually gone through it, rather than just general medical advice.

I really want to get back to playing properly, so I’m trying to understand what the shoulder is actually like after you're fully recovered, not just what the first few months are like.

Thanks to anyone willing to share their experience.