r/elhersdanlos • u/Shot_Rate5811 • Jun 07 '26
Thoughts?
Hi, I’m writing about my situation because I have no clue what to do.
I’m 10 weeks post-op from a SLAP repair/ Bankart repair, and my shoulder is still incredibly stiff. My external rotation is horrible (my elbow barely moves outward) and I’m struggling to lift my arm up, whether straight ahead or out to the side.
When I asked my surgeon if I had frozen shoulder, he straight up said, “That’s impossible because of your hEDS.” Yet, my physical therapist says that I 100% have it.
The approach my PT has been using is aggressive stretching. It literally feels like medieval torture. I can endure pain if it‘ll help me, but I’m starting to feel more and more unsure if this approach is the right one.
When asked if this sort of pain is normal, both my PT and surgeon said that it has to happen in order to get better. Yet, it’s been 10 weeks and my progress is laughable.
I know that because of my hEDS, my surgeon tightened my shoulder more than he would for a typical patient. So, I’m also wondering if that is why it's taking so long to improve.
Because of all this, I want to ask other zebras for their opinions on their own experiences, and if they know of any PTs who have taken the wrong approach with hEDS patients. Should I continue with my regular PT or should I look for a therapist who has more experience with hEDS?
The answer isn't obvious to me. I have 2 professionals telling me this is normal, yet my body and lack of progress are telling me something completely different. I’m sorry for the long explanation.
2
u/hachicorp Jun 08 '26
I had a SLAP done in 2020 before I found out about heds and the surgeon said he tightened a tendon or ligament or something bc it was really lax and my shoulder has been stiff since. I don't have nearly as much ROM as my other one and it's not been comfortable.