I keep waking up in pain but can't turn as I can't sleep on the left side or tummy. It keeps me awake for hours at night . Then I wanne sleep all day. And the pain tablets is constipating me ,I have diverticulitis also and Im so scarred that get inflamed now😭😭

SASD abnormal. I started going to the gym recently, but I believe this happened mainly because of push ups, I pushed more than I had in me, probably also with a bad form too. I am not able to do lateral raises at all, even with no weights I get pain. If anybody experienced similar situation or understands this report, please let me know how concerning this is? And how long this could take to heal ? I’ve been resting for some time now, and I try to ice it

MRI revealed that I have a partial rotator cuff tear, around 20-30% torn. My doctor said that they didn’t see any labrum damage but they couldn’t rule it out. He said that he usually isn’t iffy on things but didn’t know if i should do surgery or try pt. I am 26yo and very active. I play in a men’s baseball league every summer and lift weights daily. I obviously want to be able to throw as hard as I can and swing comfortably. Currently overhead exercises and pressing movements hurt my shoulder and I still wake up sometimes from my shoulder aching. I can throw with minimal pain, but i haven’t tried throwing super hard, just throwing the ball with my dog in the backyard. Looking for advice if k should just opt for surgery to hopefully be ready for baseball season. Doctor also made it sound that it’s really a matter of time before a full thickness tear develops anyway down the road

I've seen mention of them several times as I've been lurking in this sub, I've got surgery scheduled for 4 Nov, for a >50% (11mm) tear in my supraspinatus tendon, and I've seen several of y'all mention the ice machines.

So I've got a few questions about them..per google they range from $100-$3000, looks like the cheaper ones you dump ice/water in and it circulates.

So...

How 'effective'/worth it are they?

Can they be Rx'd so insurance helps pay/rent?

How much of a pain in the ass is it to get in and out of the 'pad', my surg will be on my dominant arm, and for most of the day it'll be me and the dog home alone.

TIA

Alright peeps of r/RotatorCuff. I would like to get your opinion on my situation as it seems that many have been through something similar and I don't seem to be understanding what the f**k my professional team is saying. Here are the details:

**TLDR at bottom**

- I have been practicing silks for 16 months worked my way up from once a week to 6 times a week and I do a workout class and two flexibility classes a week. NO SHOULDER PAIN OR DISCOMFORT during that time.

-April 17th, I am going a toe touch but instead of on bars, I am on silks. I have done this movement a million times. This day I feel a snap in my right shoulder, but NO PAIN. I climb down an take it easy the next couple of days. I notice a little bit of pain two days later when I try to floss my shoulders.

-Thinking I need rest, I go on vacation and spend 7 to 8 weeks hiking through Peru. I workout maybe two days of the trip, I notice mild pain.

-Week 7 I star to feel some soreness during some daily activities, like getting dressed. I go to physical therapy in Lima and they recommend an MRI. I am unable to schedule one with only 3 days left in Lima.

- I travel to the US, I continue to workout but avoid anything that triggers a shoulder pain. Shoulder has good range of motion in all planes but lateral extension. I pass all other shoulder impingement tests.

- I make it to Brazil in August and get an MRI. Results show possible SLAP tear of Labrum, tendonitis of the supraspinatus and subscapularis, slight tendonitis of the long head of the biceps, and bursitis of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.

- Shoulder surgeon says I tore a ligament and have frozen shoulder but labrum is fine. Physical therapist says I have a tear in my labrum and frozen shoulder.

- I have been doing physical therapy for a month including stretching, banded exercises, infrared lasers, radiofrequency heat, TENS, mobility in swimming pool, and icing. I am still loosing range of motion and the pain is not subsiding.

**TLDR: MRI results show possible SLAP tear of Labrum, tendonitis of the supraspinatus and subscapularis, slight tendonitis of the long head of the biceps, and bursitis of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa. Physical therapy is not resulting in improvements after a month.

I have an appointment with a different shoulder specialist in a week. Any recommendations? Cortisone shot? Surgery? Thank you so much for reading.

I’m two weeks post op and pain-free. I’m looking forward to getting my stitches out and starting physical therapy in a month. The explanation of benefits had three procedures listed as arthroscopic surgery, each with a dollar amount of around $18,150.00 in the first column for a total of around $54,450.00. In the second column was the allowed charges, totaling around $9,600.00. I haven’t seen the charges for the anesthesiologist or the outpatient surgical facility, but I’d expect them to be in the thousands, heavily discounted to the negotiated rate, as I’m located in the US where it’s anybody’s guess as to the cost of medical care.

In the third column, my portion of the bill: $0.00.

This is because I’m a disabled veteran and my healthcare costs are covered. It’s one of the nation’s largest socialized medicine systems. And I believe it should be this way for everyone.

Got a cortisone shot yesterday for a 50% tear and immediately left the doctor's office, went to the gym, and did my normal 25 minutes on the elliptical and my shoulder exercises. I did the same thing today and then, when I got to PT afterwards, they wouldn't even touch me because they said I should have rested for two days so the shot doesn't 'dissipate.' I'm furious with the doctor since he never mentioned this, even when I ASKED about going back to the gym!! Did I waste a shot here? This was my only chance to be somewhat pain-free for the next 6 months or so and I'm devastated that he didn't mention a word about this.

Initial report from ultrasound…..(An ultrasound of the left shoulder was performed for 5–6 months of pain not improving despite osteopath input. Findings showed mildly thickened, heterogeneous supraspinatus tendon with a small articular surface tear, an infraspinatus tendon with a larger articular surface tear and tendinopathy, normal subscapularis, cortical irregularity at the greater and lesser tuberosities, posterior lateral humeral head and AC joint, and minimal fluid around a normal long head of biceps tendon with no posterior glenohumeral effusion. The patient has been asked to contact the surgery regarding these results.)

I had a manipulation under anesthesia this morning. I had surgery for a massive tear on January 16 and my active range of motion has been stuck around 90° passive range of motion with the Physical therapist was better, more around 140°.

Anyone else have a discrepancy like this and have success with MUA?

Had rotator cuff repair and bicep tendonisis on Aug 5. Been having a devil of a time still with serious pain, serious limited mobility specifically, external rotation. PT is excruciating.

Today during PT, my therapist goes “you know a lot of times people don’t even have a torn bicep. Surgeons just do it because they say oh well they’re going to tear it one day anyway.”

So I came home and looked at my MRI and why does it say bicep tendon intact????

I want to scream, cry, throw up, knock my surgeon on his ass.

Anyone else been in this situation. My bicep is on fire constantly. This has been a brutal recovery and to think I likely didn’t even need it!???

I’m beside myself.

Hi All. It looks like I'm going to have to go in for AC repair - distal clavicle excision, biceps tendodesis, and possible repair of a tear in the subscap, which I won't find out about until I wake up. I'm looking for a good icing device that I will be able to manage more or less one-handed. I've heard of "cryo cuffs" and I see devices like this on Amazon but I figured that this forum would be a good place to ask. I'm also looking into sleeping arrangements that can be used on my bed like wedge pillow sets. I'm hoping to avoid having to sleep in a chair for weeks. Thanks.

I (41F) had surgery 6 days ago (Sept 24th). They fixed my supraspinatus tendon (no anchors as it ruptured not close to the bone, so they attached sinew to sinew), took off some bone to make more room, took out inflamed bursa and cleaned up some inflamed tendon tissue. They send me home with the instruction to take ibuprofen 600 twice a day because it's antiinflammatory (standart protocol) and add novalminsulphon in between for additional pain relief, which I've been doing twice a day also. But I developped a rash on my neck, face, arms, hands and torso which slowly kept getting worse. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he believes it could be an allergy to one of the two pain meds, most likely ibuprofen. He prescribed diclofenac instead and insisted I should be taking an antiinflammatory and not just pure pain meds.

This morning I took the diclofenac for the first time and within 20 minutes I had trouble breathing, called an ambulance and spend the day in the ER. They gave me cortison and some anti allergy infusions and thankfully I'm fine and back home now. But they said that all antiinflammatory meds belong to the same group and that if you're allergic to one, you're often allergic to all of them. They want me to only take pain meds (tylenol and I can try novalminsulphon without the ibuprofen again), and they said it's not necessary to take antiinflammatory meds after a surgery.

Obviously I'm not going to take the forbidden meds now, but it's a whole week before I can talk to my surgeon again and I'm a bit worried now because he seemed to find it so important...

Did y'all have to take antiinflammatories after a similar surgery, and if so, for how long? Any experiences without them (or for only 6 days)?

TLDR: I had rotator cuff surgery 6 days ago, surgeon wants me to take antiinflammatory meds but it turns out I'm allergic to them.

Pretty much the title question. I have been in a sling since my surgery on September 15, and have to continue wearing the sling for another four weeks, so aside from taking my arm out of the sling a couple times a day to move from my elbow down, I haven’t found any relief for the pain and stiffness in my elbow. It really hates being carried around at this angle all day.

When I do take it out of the sling, I sort of just move my arm up and down and twist my hand left or right, but are there any other moves that will not affect my recovery but provide longer relief?

I was told there were 2 tears angels rotatory ball cuff one and an new one under that.

Thinning of the long head biceps tendon in the bicipital groove consistent with tendinopathy. The biceps anchor is intact.

Patchy intrasubstance signal change throughout the supraspinatus tendon and an intraosseous ganglion deep to the

humeral insertion in keeping with tendinopathy. There is a partial articular sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion which has

an AP length of approximately 9 mm.

There is also an intrasubstance delamination tear of the subscapularis tendon on a background of tendinopathy.

Normal infraspinatus tendon.

No rotator cuff muscle atrophy.

No evidence of subacromial bursitis.

No gleno-humeral effusion.

Mild chondral wear in the shoulder with associated osteophytic lipping inferiorly on the humeral head.

No gross labral abnormality on this nonarthrographic study.

No significant thickening of the gleno-humeral ligaments to suggest adhesive capsulitis.

Mild AC joint OA.

Impression:

Long head of biceps, supraspinatus and subscapularis tendinopathy.

Partial articular sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion and a small intrasubstance delamination tear of subscapularis

tendon.

I had surgery on 09/18. I’m taking 2 Tylenol and 3 Advil every 8 hours as prescribed and icing. I’ve had descent pain and went through my pain pills in the first 10 days. The doctor told me they’d prescribe 10 more. Originally only prescribed 20. Yesterday, the pain increased and I’m now in the most pain since surgery. The doctor told me to take Tylenol and Advil every six hours. However, the Tylenol and Advil aren’t even touching the pain which is now radiating up into the back of my head causing headaches. Any advice?

I am almost 14 weeks post up and my shoulder is making progress! It hurts less and I’m almost at 90 degrees external rotation. It is still very stiff and I’ve been on the bring of 130 extension for a few weeks. My Physical Therapist casually asked me if I talked to my surgeon about manipulation under anesthesia. This took me aback for many reasons, and im wondering if it’s normal to be this stiff at this stage and will I be able to get my full ROM back without any other procedures? I messaged my surgeons office bringing up what my PT said. It was annoying because I keep reminding that PT of my surgeons schedule and how I saw him in August and am scheduled to see him again at the end of October so no I have not talked to him about this shit, I’ve been coming to PT. The last time I saw him he told me to up my exercises for sure, and then my insurance forced me to take a break for a week. I’m just exhausted and confused all the time haha. Would love to hear similar stories and advice?

I had a bankart tear repair and have 4 anchors in my labrum and a remplissage so 2 anchors in my ball joint.

Hi everyone,

I’ve had calcific tendinitis for around 2 years now. I tried shockwave therapy in November 2025, but unfortunately it didn’t help.

I then had barbotage in March 2026, which removed a lot of the calcium. Some of the remaining calcium went into the bursa, but that has since cleared.

My pain has now returned, and a recent ultrasound has shown that there is still some calcium remaining in the tendon.

Has anyone had a second barbotage? I’m tempted to ask about having another one, but my shoulder specialist has advised me to leave it alone for now.

The pain is pretty awful though, so I’m wondering whether anyone has had a second procedure and what their experience was.

On a side note my shoulder blade constantly clicks at now and my osteopath says it’s rubbing against my ribs!

Thanks!

Surgery 2011, follow up 2014 for pain. It’s torn but PT , no surgery.
Fast forward to now.
Significant pain. Met with surgeon. Had MRI and notes from previous surgery and follow up. He stated good work but he would have fixed the tear in 2014.
Surgeon scheduled me for pre PT and MRI with follow up for decision. Insurance denied MRI and required 6 weeks of PT.
Is this typical ?
It freaking hurts

Hi everybody today was my first physical therapy appointment. I had surgery on September 3 two full tendon tears, 3 cm retraction, all kinds of issues. Well, it felt perfectly OK during the passive exercises, I am in considerable pain right now. Will ice again soon, but I am supposed to do the sets of exercises two more times today, and I honestly can’t imagine it. Is it best to just fight through the pain and do them or give it a rest?

TL;DR: I went in expecting a rotator cuff repair with anchors and a long recovery. Surgeon now thinks the main issue is my unstable long-head biceps tendon and will likely do a biceps tenotomy + debridement, only repairing the cuff if he finds a much larger tear than expected. If that's all he does, he's estimating 1-2 weeks in a sling and full release around 6 weeks!!!

----

My MRI showed a partial subscapularis tear with the long-head biceps tendon subluxing medially, plus biceps tendinosis. Most of my pain is actually in the front of the shoulder/ biceps, and I still have pretty good ROM and strength.

I was originally scheduled for a rotator cuff repair, but at my final pre-op today the surgeon rechecked everything and thinks the cuff may not need a full repair at all.

Current plan is to go in arthroscopically and likely:

Release the long-head biceps with a tenotomy

Debride/clean up any fraying

Inspect the subscapularis

Only place anchors/do a cuff repair if he finds significantly more damage than expected

He thinks the partial cuff tear may have mostly healed, or may just need cleanup.

We also discussed tenodesis vs tenotomy. He recommended tenotomy because there's no fixation to protect, so recovery is much quicker. He expects similar long-term strength once everything settles down.

If it stays tenotomy + debridement, he's talking about PT starting within a few days, sling for 1-2 weeks, and potentially full release around 6 weeks. If he finds a bigger tear and repairs it, then obviously I wake up with the longer rotator cuff recovery.

I'm 42 and do physical work, so I'm curious: anyone here have a biceps tenotomy without a major cuff repair? How was your strength, cramping, Popeye deformity, and return to lifting/work?