Today I started physical therapy for my pectoral major tendon repair. It's been 2 weeks since my surgery. The therapist stretched me out and had me do some isometrics. He said after 10 weeks of working with him I should have my full range of motion back. He also said I should be able to start weight training again after 10 weeks. And he said I should be able to start boxing again by December. In case it matters I'm 26 years old. Here are some questions I have:
1) I'm very nervous that I re-tore this muscle. When I sleep or even when I'm laying around the house, I don't always put my sling on. I'm afraid that the suitures connecting the tendon to the muscle ripped out. My doctor said that the suitures are very strong and if they got torn I would hear a loud pop. Do you guys think I'm just worrying for nothing? If I did rip the suitures, would I know (would there be swelling, pain, bruising,etc.?)? I haven't done anyting stupid with the arm to make me think I retore it, but I just get worried alot and have very bad luck lately. Basically what I'm asking you guys is, if I did in re-tear this, would I know? When doctors do this kind of surgery, do they make the suitures extra tight, so they don't tear or are they weak and can be torn easily. Help guys, I'm a nervous wreck!
2) My arm has felt alot looser than when I first got surgery. I'm nowhere near as stiff. Don't get me wrong, I''m still very sore in the arm, but not as stiff. This kind of has to do with question 1, but does this mean that the suitures connecting the muscle to the tendon got ripped and that's why it feels alot looser and not as tight?
3) My doctor said that after 6 months, the muscle/tendon should be fully healed. My doctor also said that a good amount is usually healed after 2 months. And he said 3 months after surgery (and PT) is usually when you can start weight training again. My question is, after 12 weeks I'm supposed to return to work. I am a security guard and have to sometimes restrain people and break up fights. After 12 weeks from my surgery, will I be able to return to work and do these things without easily retairing this? I know at this time, my strength will be weak, but I'm more worried about reinjuring this.
4) This kind of has to do with question 3. When this is fully healed, is this pectoral going to be more easy to injure than it was PRIOR to me injuring it. Basically what I'm asking is, after this is healed, do I have to worry every time I bench heavy, throw a punch, break up a fight, or restrain somebody, that this will get injured again and I have to go throught this living hell again. Or is it that, when it gets healed, it's just as durable as it was before I injured it. Keep in mind he only reconnected 80 percent of the tear. The other 20 percent was too scarred down to do anything with.
5) My surgery was 2 weeks ago and I'm still very sore in the arm. Will this soreness ever go away and if it does how long until it goes away?
6) Will taking anti inflammatories help with the healing process?
7) I know that Michael Strahan and Junior Seau both had this injury and came back to play football. And Strahan had a great year when he came back. And for those MMA fans, Phil Baroni came back from this injury and has made a successful comeback. And in the WWE, The Undertaker ruptured his pectoral while flat bench pressing in 2000 and he's still wrestling. And believe it or not, Sly Stallone completely tore his pectoral while filming Rocky II. Obviously he came back and made many more Rocky movies. How do these guys do it? What things can I do to make sure my pectoral stays healthy and durable once it's healed? Not that I have anything against it, but I won't take HGH or AAS. What other things can I do make sure that I don't reinjure this while still weight training and boxing?
8) My surgery was done on Tues. May 9, 2006. Do you think any healing has been done since than? Has the muscle and tendon meshed at all since they were surgically reattached?
9) Does the fact that my surgeon only reattached 80 percent of the muscle to the tendon mean anything? Once this is fully healed, will I have less strength or flexability because of that? Will there be a greater chance of reinjuring this muscle/tendon because of this? The other 20 percent was too scarred down for him to do anything with.
10) My physical therapist said a year from now I should be back to full strength and have all of my size back. He said a year from now I can put this injury behind me and it will be as if I never injured it. Is this possible or is he just telling me what I want to hear?
11) Like I said before, my surgery was done on Tues. May 9, 2006. What month do you think I will be able to look in the mirror and say "I'm 100 percent healed, I am back to full strength and flexability, I am durable, I won't reinjure this, and am ready to kick ass!" I know everyones body is different, but ball park estimate, what month should I be back to my good old self?
12) Will I ever be able to box and compete at a competitive level again? I would like to return to amateur boxing again. Is it a realistic possibility that I can do this and be successful?
13) And lastly, when I'm done with PT 10 weeks from now and can begin weight training, will the weight lifting actually help heal this injury? Will lifting weights help strengthen the muscle/tendon so it gets strong and I don't reinjure it?
If you guys want to see my timeline for recovery, you can see it here:
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=244810
Sorry about all the questions, it's just I'm bored as hell and want to get on the road to recovery. Any help with these questions will be great fellas.
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