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I appreciate this isn't necessarily interesting to everyone (mainly me ), but I thought the photos were quite cool, so I'd post them anyway.

The background info - Back in August I was in the gym bench-pressing and it all went wrong, I heard a snapping noise and my left arm collapsed onto my chest. Turns out I tore my left pectoral muscle completely off my arm bone.

On the 2nd November I had surgery to reattach it. They put three 5mm steel screws (with eyelets on the end) into my arm bone, attached 6 threads onto my pectoral muscle and tightened them onto the screws. Then they attached a bit of Dacron sheet to the screws at one end and put two lines of stitching straight into the muscle at the other end, for extra support.

Here are the pics they took for me.

This one is before they tightened up the threads:


This one is job nearly done. Threads tightened and Dacron in place:


I'm SO grateful they managed to fix it. Prior to the op I literally had no strength in the left side of my chest and basic tasks in life (driving, opening the fridge and shooting :shock: etc) were a bit tricky.

Sometimes, medicine really is bloody marvellous. :goodjob:

:shock: :G - How's the recovery going...will you be able to do everything you could before?

Well, but slowly.

6 weeks in a sling 24/7, then 6 weeks of physio to get movement back, then 6-9 months to get strength back.

The surgeon was really pleased with the repair and said I may make a 100% recovery. At worst, it'll be 85% as strong as it was before, which I can live with.

So quite serious then....but looking good for the full recovery - A friend had a similar (but smaller) operation when he seperated his bicep while wakeboarding...and he made a full recovery after about 6 months.....

I wish you all the best mate - At least you got your FAC...so can cheer yourself up thinking about what to put on your Christmas list

That's cool that they took pictures for you, is that common practice?

Dougan wrote:I wish you all the best mate

Cheers

Dougan wrote:At least you got your FAC...so can cheer yourself up thinking about what to put on your Christmas list

Definitely! :mrgreen:

Mike357 wrote:That's cool that they took pictures for you, is that common practice?

Apparently they're happy to take pics if you ask and they do get asked quite often.

Judders what great pictures and, oh how I sympathise.

Picture of my left shoulder 16 days after a subacromial decompression, excision and rotator cuff repair. (28th of October).



Two weeks in a sling as I wasn't allowed to move my upper arm away from my body. Not allowed to get it wet so showering was fun. First physio two weeks after, basic exercises and not allowed to lift or push/pull anything heavier than a cup of coffee. First time I managed to get my arm high enough to wash my hair and stick a soapy finger in my ear was bliss.

I had 11 weeks off when I had a decompression of my right shoulder but I think this one could take longer.

Best of luck for your recovery.

Best of luck for a speedy recovery .

Dave

bobbob, I definitely sympathise! I couldn't have a proper shower for two weeks either and the first time I did was bliss.

Hope your recovery goes to plan too. :)

Cheers Dave

This thread could turn into that scene from Jaws when everyone's sharing scars.