I had my pectoral surgery

[Tommy Gunn]

Well I had my pectoral surgery Tues. The surgery was a success (somewhat). Keep in mind the surgery was done 7 weeks after I injured it. Anyway, the surgeon said he reattached 80 percent of it but the other 20 percent was too scarred down to do anything with. He said not to worry though, he said all you need is atleast 50 percent reattached for the surgery to be successful. He said I should be making a complete recovery.

My arm is in a sling right now. He told me to take it out of the sling once a day and just let in dangle. I have to get the suitures taken out Weds. and than physical therapy starts the Mon. after that. My arm will be in a sling for 4-6 weeks. I can't drive for 5 weeks. He said physical therapy will be for 12 weeks. And than I can start my strength training again (progress very slowly!). He said 6 months from today I should be healed and I can return to boxing.

A couple questions I have:

1) Should I be worried that he only reattached 80 percent of it? Or was he right that you only need 50 percent reattachment for the surgery to be successful? Based on what I told you, was this surgery a success? Would you consider me 'repaired'?

2) Right now when I take it out of the sling. I can't raise my arm at all! The shoulder is so sore and so tight. Will I eventually have my full range of motion back? And if I do eventually get my full range of motion back, how long will that take?

3) Will I get my strength and power back? Right now I'm worried that I will never be able to throw a punch, wrestle, or basically be able to defend myself again. If I am able to do these things again, how long until I am able to do them?

4) Will physical therapy help me out alot? I will be going 3 days a week. In what ways will physical therapy help me?

5) And lastly, can anyone give me a time line of my road to recovery? (If you can please tell me at what weeks will I be able to do certain things, and when this will be healed)

Thanks fellas!

[BigMike J]

These are questions you should have asked the doctor.. i'm sure you are not his first patient. He is the only one qualified to give you a educated answer since he is the one that did the surgery.

To question 5. six months sounds right to me.. that's about how long it took me.. and i did not have surgery.

[Doc.Sust]

tommy,only time will tell, sit back, do what you are suposded to do, and thats all you can do.

[Tommy Gunn]

I know but this is nerve wrecking. I'm afraid I'll never get my range of motion back. Right now I can't lift my arm up at all!

And to tell you the truth, I'm afraid I'll never be able to defend myself again. I hope within 6 months I'm able to throw a punch again.

This is torture.

[barbndr]

First of all...do not under any circumstances try to raise your arm when out of the sling unless told to by the MD or PT. A newly repaired muscle is at its must vulnerable the first few weeks after surgery and can be torn if you are not careful. You can let it hang against gravity and swing it (Codman's or Pendulum exercises) but not actively lift it. You will not heal any faster by trying to push it. I think based on what you said the surgery was a success. The PT will help but you must follow what you are told to the letter. As for the other questions, I agree with Doc.Sust in that only time will tell. It's very frustrating but you must be patient.