The Truth About Recovering From Shoulder Labral Repair Surgery
Last updated on by Sozo Staff
When it comes to any kind of labral repair surgery, recovery is typically longer than many patients anticipate. The details of hip labral repair surgery are different than those relating to shoulder labral repair. Going in armed with knowledge and realistic expectations is probably the best way to truly set yourself up for success.
What About Pain Medicine
Your pain medication prescription will be given to you the day of surgery. Because of Texas laws and regulations, a written copy must be given as we cannot call in narcotic pain medication. Chantel will call in an antiinflammatory to your local pharmacy before the surgery. Please take your pain medication as directed. That means that you may take the pills every 3-4 hours as needed. Take the medicine with food in your stomach. Taking the medicine on an empty stomach can cause nausea. You do not have to take the pills if simple rest, arm repositioning or the ice pack controls the pain.
When you need more medication, please call us or let us know at your office visit. You may also contact your pharmacy and they will call the office so that we may refill the prescription. Because narcotic pain medication must be prescribed in writing, allow us 1-2 business days to complete the process before you run out of pain medication. We cannot do this after 5:00 PM, as no one will be in this office. We cannot refill narcotic medication on weekends. One of my colleagues at the Fondren Orthopedic Group is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but we ask that you restrict after hours and weekend call to emergencies only and let us handle less urgent problems during the week
The Process Of Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that has a protective layer of cartilage that helps stabilize your shoulder by deepening the socket. If youve been diagnosed with a labral tear, then this bumper in your shoulder is damaged and may allow the ball-shaped humerus to slide out of its socket or to catch on the labrum. This is as painful as it sounds and severely limits your range of motion.
Youll need surgery to relieve this pain and restore your shoulder movement. Arthroscopic labral repair is a minimally invasive surgical option that results in less risk of infection, less damage to tissue, less bleeding, less pain, and an overall shorter recovery time. But what exactly happens during arthroscopic shoulder labral repair?
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What Is The Shoulder Labrum Surgery Recovery Time
It usually takes from three to four months for the shoulder to fully heal. However, if the shoulder wasn’t so stable and the surgery was substantial, it could even take up to six months to heal properly. On the other hand, if it was stable, you could be permitted to continue with your sports activities around six weeks after the surgery.
Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair In Knoxville Tx
ORTHOKnox offers both conservative treatments, including activity modification, rest, and physical therapy, and surgical treatments with arthroscopy for labral tears. With its board-certified surgeon, Dr. Hovis, and Orthopedic Urgent Care that is available without an appointment, ORTHOKnox has got you covered. For more information about how ORTHOKnox can treat your shoulder injury using arthroscopy, call 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Labrum Surgery Recovery Time And Guidelines
The shoulder labrum is a cartilage located around the fastening of the shoulder socket. It has 2 core functions, one of which is to provide stability by deepening the socket, and the other is to act as an attachment for tissues like biceps tendon. Every so often, labrum injuries require surgery. If you have had the misfortune of needing one, you might wonder how long it will take to recover after this procedure.
How Long Will It Take Me To Recover
Patients who have surgery at UnaSource return home the same day. Anesthesia will be used, so you will need someone to drive you home. You also should have someone stay with you until the anesthesia wears off. This can take up to 24 hours, but the anesthetic is likely to leave your body sooner.
After the surgery, your shoulder will need to be immobilized in a sling for four to six weeks, but you can remove it take showers and get dressed.
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What Is The Surgery Like
The surgery is done using arthroscopic techniques. Instead of a large incision I use 3-5 small incisions. Through 1 incision I insert the arthroscope that lets me look inside your shoulder. The other incisions are used to insert special instruments that allow the removal of scar tissue and bone. I then insert small suture anchors into the shoulder. There are sutures attached to the eyelets of the anchors. We use special instruments to weave the sutures through the torn labrum. The anchors are inside the bone and you cannot feel them. They do not have to be removed. The anchors will not set off airport sensors. It is also safe to have a MRI. When you arrive at Texas Orthopedic Hospital a nurse will have you sign the Operative Permit. The name of the operation I will be doing is Shoulder arthroscopy, labral repair. If you need additional procedures for your shoulder, these will be added to the permit.
When Should I Call My Doctor
You should call your doctor or nurse when you have:
- Bleeding that soaks through your dressing and does not stop when you place pressure over the area.
- Pain that does not go away when you take your pain medicine.
- Swelling in your arm.
- Numbness or tingling in your fingers or hand.
- Your hand or fingers are darker in color or feel cool to the touch.
- Redness, pain, swelling, or a yellowish discharge from any of the wounds.
- Temperature higher than 101°F .
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When Should I Have Slap Tear Surgery
Your healthcare provider will weigh the following factors when considering surgery for SLAP tears:
- The tears classification. Tears are classified based on location and if the tear affects other areas of your shoulder.
- Your age. Healthcare providers take your age into account when considering treatments, which can include cleaning up frayed tissue rather than bicep tenodesis surgery.
- Your typical activities.
- Previous non-surgical treatment.
Rehabilitation After Shoulder Labrum Surgery
Right after the surgery, your doctor will come up with a rehabilitative protocol for your affected shoulder. While every doctor has his/her own unique protocol, typically they all consist of 4 phases.
- The first phase is immobilization which could last up to four weeks.
- The second phase is recovery which lasts from the 4th to the 6th week after the surgery.
- The third one is strengthening, lasting from the 6th to the 12th week after the surgery.
- And finally, the last phase includes returning to work or training, which is about 4 to 6 months after the successful procedure.
Immobilization
During this stage, you should have your sling on to ensure proper labrum surgery recovery. Naturally, this doesn’t apply to when you are in the shower or at your physical therapy.
First, your physical therapist will introduce you to some passive exercises that will help you improve your range of motion. He/she will also introduce you to some of the strengthening exercises such as ball squeezing and strengthening of the grip, both of which can be completed almost without any pain in your operated shoulder. You will start doing some isometric exercises during this stage as well, such as putting the elbow against the wall.
Recovery
The sling is no more needed once you enter this phase. Also, this is when you start doing some active exercises to improve your range of motion.
Strengthening
You should be able to reacquire the full range of motion by this stage of labrum surgery recovery.
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How Successful Is The Surgery
This type of surgery is successful about 85- 95% of the time. No shoulder operation is 100% successful in every individual but the procedures we perform are reliable and will help restore the potential function in your shoulder. The operation is most successful at relieving pain, restoring stability and improving function. Whether you can return to your previous level is an individual matter and depends on the damage to your shoulder, how well it heals, how well you rehabilitate and how strenuous is your desired level of work or sports. Because of the many variables involved, I can make no guarantees other than to assure you I will deliver the very best medical care possible.
What Happens After Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair
Your surgery will probably last about 1 hour. You will most likely be able to go home the same day. You will be given pain medication for when your nerve block wears off , and youll need to wear a sling and ice your shoulder.
For shoulder rehabilitation, you will need to do physical therapy to restore your range of motion and strengthen your shoulder. Full recovery takes about 5 months. Youll be back in action in no time!
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What Are The Labral Tear Treatment Options
The treatment primarily depends on your activity level and symptoms. Since labral tears can often be difficult to diagnose, they are often first treated with physical therapy. The therapy is designed to restore range of motion and strength to the shoulder. Untreated labral tears do not heal because of the lack of blood supply in the area. In cases of persistent pain and disability, surgery is recommended.
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Torn Shoulder Labrum Treatment Options
Treatments can include conservative verses surgical management. A specific individualized treatment program will be created from your thorough history, physical examination and radiological testing. Conservative management can consist of anti-inflammatory medications, a cortisone injection, orthobiologics, physical therapy and/or rest. Treatment conservatively can last 6-12 weeks before returning to specific functional overhead tasks/activities. Surgical management may be recommend depending on the severity of the damage of the labrum and if conservative treatments have failed. Failed treatment would consists of continued pain, lost motion due to instability, weakness and the inability to perform work or sport specific activities and tasks. Labral tears are surgically repaired under arthroscopic intervention.
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What Does Labrum Mean What Is A Labral Tear
There are two types of cartilage in the shoulder joint:
- The white cartilage on the ends of the bones is known as articular cartilage.
- The more fibrous, rigid cartilage that circles around the socket side of each shoulder is known as labrum.
A labral tear generally occurs due to injury or overuse. The labrum can tear in a few different ways and in a few different locations:
- The labrum can tear completely off the bone.
- The tear may occur at the edge of the labrum.
- The tear may occur where the bicep tendon attaches to the area.
Arthroscopic Posterior Labral Repair Recovery And Rehabilitation
Following an arthroscopic posterior labral repair, patients can expect some degree of shoulder pain for several days. Pain will be managed with a combination of ice, cold packs and medication. Patients will be expected to follow medication guidelines prescribed by Dr. Ticker at all times. Patients will be placed in a sling or similar device for one month after the labral tear surgery. This allows the labrum and ligaments to heal in their new position. Patients will begin a detailed physical therapy program designed to restore motion and regain strength at approximately one month post-surgery.
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Arthroscopic Posterior Labral Repair Recovery Time
The majority of patients can expect a full return to activities within 4-6 months. Dr. Ticker and his orthopedic team will monitor each patients return to full activities.
If you have experienced a reverse Bankart tear and would like more information on labral tear surgery, or to determine if you are an ideal candidate for an arthroscopic posterior labral repair, please contact the Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens & NYC area orthopedic office of Dr. Jonathan Ticker.
Dr Soffer Offers Individualized Care For Labrum Tear Sufferers
If you are suffering from a labrum tear, Dr. Stephen R. Soffer will offer expert, compassionate care. In the event that non-surgical treatments do not successfully heal your injury, he will help you decide whether labrum repair surgery is right for you. Furthermore, if you opt to undergo this procedure, you can trust Dr. Soffer to perform the surgery with skill. He is a Master Instructor in shoulder arthroscopy for the Arthroscopy Association of North America, with the expertise to teach others how to perform this procedure.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you recover from your shoulder injury as quickly as possible.
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What Happens On The Day Of Labral Tear Surgery
When you arrive at the surgery center, you will be admitted and taken to a pre-operative holding area where you are prepared for surgery. You will be asked several times which extremity the surgeon will operate on. Please note that you are asked this question many times on purpose. Anesthesia will be administered and the surgery is then performed.
After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room to be monitored. Once the effects of the anesthesia have worn off and your pain is under control, you will be given your post-operative instructions and your pain medication. Please be aware that the process of checking in, preparing for surgery, undergoing the operation, and recovering from the anesthesia takes the majority of the day. It is recommended that you and your driver bring some reading material for the duration.
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Surgery And The Recovery Time
The success rate associated with a labrum surgery is quite high and so, the only thing that worries most people is the recovery time. Although the recovery time depends on multiple factors, one can say that on an average, a full recovery after repair of a torn labrum usually takes about three to five months. However, as mentioned earlier, there are many different variables in this type of surgery that can contribute to speeding up the recovery time, like the amount of physical therapy the patient performs after surgery, the level of activity in his lifestyle, and whether he lets the shoulder fully recover before attempting to strain it again, or not.
Although the time after which a doctor may callback his patient could vary, doctors prefer to call their patients within the first week after the surgery. This is to check on the incision, so as to ensure that there isnt any infection in the region. After this, the physical therapy starts, where the patient is advised to carry out a certain stipulated range of motion exercises. However, one needs to keep in mind that there are some restrictions that should be followed in order to allow the labrum to heal properly. This is important because straining the shoulder at this stage could hamper the healing process significantly, and thus, delay the recovery time.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
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Get The Best Possible Outcome At The American Hip Institute
Its natural to feel discomfort in your hip, buttocks or lower back after your operation. You also wont be able to do the activities you used to do and enjoy right away. The good news is that there are medications available to alleviate the pain or reduce the swelling. Aside from that, a personalized physical rehabilitation program can help you rebuild your strength, stability and mobility safely, allowing you to return to your routine.
But to gain long-lasting labral hip pain relief and get the best possible outcome for your hip labral tear recovery, consider seeking treatment at renowned experts in hip surgeries like The American Hip Institute. As a leader in advanced treatment of the hip, we offer cutting-edge techniques in hip arthroscopy and robotic hip replacement to restore you to your top-level performance.
For more information about our minimally invasive labral tear treatment options, contact us today or schedule a virtual appointment.
Are Any Other Options Available
While I believe that surgery is the best course of action, there are other available treatments including no treatment, just living with the condition physical therapy exercises medication or injections. Any of these treatment options may be successful in your situation, and some of these you may have already tried. In my experience they will not work reliably. Of course, we can arrange for any or all of these options if you desire.
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When Can I Return To Full Duty At Work
In general, the physician keeps people on clerical duties for 3 months after the surgery, which means no lifting with your operated arm. This is to protect the repair. In the 3rd and 4th month you may perform light duty meaning lifting no more than 10 pounds. People generally get back to performing full duty work at 4-6 months.
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