Loss of strength | Shoulder TEP pain

Loss of strength

In the first days after the surgery the feeling of weakness in the arm is normal. The wound healing is not yet complete and the structures surrounding the joint such as the joint capsule, muscles, tendons and ligaments may have become irritated and show an inflammatory reaction. It is also possible that a nerve has been irritated or injured during the operation.

In this case, in addition to the loss of strength, numbness, tingling or sensation may occur, which should be reported to the treating doctor. Nerves regenerate very slowly, so such an injury can cause symptoms for a very long time. Later in the course of post-treatment, light training to build up muscles is also important to eliminate the feeling of loss of strength.

Painkillers

Pain medication after a shoulder TEP varies from clinic to clinic. In general, the use of anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen is recommended. The maximum dose is 2400 mg per day.

As a rule, 400-800 mg are administered as required. This dosage also applies in the later course of post-treatment, depending on the intensity of the pain, but it should in no case be regarded as permanent medication. In special cases, with strong, persistent pain, stronger painkillers such as opioids may be used at the discretion of the physician. This is to prevent a possible chronification of the pain.

Pain during simple strengthening exercises

Strengthening exercises should first be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist after the insertion of a shoulder TEP. Although it is unlikely that exercises will cause damage to the endoprosthesis or its anchorage, correct execution of the exercises and a correctly dosed load are important for the success of the therapy. Especially in the beginning it is almost impossible to make the treatment completely painless.

Even simple strengthening exercises are an unaccustomed burden for the structures just operated on, which can quickly lead to tension and sore muscles. Strong pain, however, which continues even after the end of the exercises, should not occur. This can be an indication that the exercises were too hard or that too much training was done too early.

In this case you should start with simpler, mobilizing exercises. In rare cases, severe pain during strengthening exercises may also indicate loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis, in which case the treating physician should be informed. The article “Shoulder pain – the right crane knee exercises” might also be of interest to you in this regard.