Is It Normal to Have Pain after 6 weeks Post-Op Shoulder Tendinitis Surgery?

Shoulder tendinitis surgery is painful and can be a nuisance. Your pain level will most likely to be less than usual but a few people will complain of more pain. One of the major problems after having surgery performed is lack of muscle strength and range of motion. Your doctor probably advised you to wear a sling for about four to six weeks. Since your sling will prohibit you from moving and therefore stretching the joint, you may notice a ‘popping’ or ‘clicking’ sound.

During this time period, it is important to control your pain levels. Most doctors prescribe codeine painkillers such as Percocet to take up to one to two times a day, and Viocodin to control inflammation.

It is absolutely crucial for you to continue your exercises. Your physical therapist or doctor should have shown you active assisted exercises during this period. It may be a bit painful during your exercises but it will greatly benefit you in the long run. It may help to take some pain killers before you start the exercises. 

Another thing to remember is to not do any sudden or extreme movements. The tendons and joints are still healing up and any strong force may damage and take longer to recover.

A common issue most people with post-op shoulder surgery is that their partners may not understand what you are feeling. They may try to ‘push’ you to recover quickly. Unless he/she has experienced the exact same thing, do not attempt to make shortcuts. Because if you damage more than has already been done, then you will need another surgery, have more appointments with your doctor and more painkillers. Full recovery will take time and it requires a lot of persistence and patience.