Pain after a tenotomy | Tenotomy

Pain after a tenotomy

Pain is initially considered to be an indication for tenotomy surgery. Therefore, freedom from pain is one of the most important treatment goals of the procedure. In most cases, this goal is achieved and patients report a few weeks after the operation that the symptoms have improved and in some cases have even subsided completely.

Initial pain immediately after the tenotomy is to a certain extent normal, harmless and should not be a cause for concern. The surgical scar may be slightly painful during the healing process and the surrounding muscle and connective tissue, which may have been held aside with hooks during the operation, may continue to hurt for a few days. This pain is comparable to sore muscles. However, if the pain does not get better or even worse after a tenotomy, a follow-up visit to the treating doctor is inevitable.

Duration

The tenotomy itself is a short and uncomplicated procedure that takes about 30 minutes. Discharge is usually possible 1-2 days after surgery.The exact duration of the healing process varies depending on the complexity of the procedure or the original complaints that made a tenotomy necessary. It can be expected to last from 4 to 8 weeks.

In general, physiotherapy should be introduced relatively soon to avoid shortening of the tendon and stiffening of the associated joint. This can often be done 2 days postoperatively. However, it is important that exercise should only be performed by trained personnel.

They make sure that only passive exercise of the affected region is performed. Only after a few weeks can partial weight-bearing be started. A loading of the affected region is therefore not allowed.

If, for example, a tenotomy is performed on the long biceps tendon, shoulder loading is prohibited. There is nothing to be said against light jogging if the person concerned feels good and is free of pain. There are fixed post-treatment schedules for the respective localization of the tenotomy, on the basis of which physiotherapy adapts individual rehabilitation.