Darkside wrote: They tell me there is little to no functional difference when they cut the bicep, but often a huge decrease in pain symptoms....sometimes the bicep can get what the call "Popeye'd" (a little bulge) but so far mine looks just like the other side. keep in mind they are just talking about the long head of the bicep, not the complete bicep.
You're crazy if you believe that BS. they are severing part of your functioning muscle from the tendon. How can that be anything but bad. My female friend had that happen to her. when her bicep was oddly shaped "popeye" she questioned the doctor who's response was that women aren't as active and didn't need it. She had to get a lawyer and threaten malpractice. Finally found another doctor to reattach her bicep muscle but the other doctor was reluctant to testify that the first doctor had not acted in her best interest. My brother had a non riding injury and had to have his rotator cuff repaired. It took him almost a year of PT before he was cleared to return to work as a fireman. I don't know what you consider as a short time of rehab but you're 4 months into it and probably another 4 before you're cleared to do anything as strenuous as dirt bike riding. I'm not trying to scare anyone, just not sugar coating it either.
well I must be crazy if you say so....but I'll tell you this, my operated arm bicep feels and looks just as good as my non operated arm and I see no reason why it would not continue to feel this good, unless I do something stupid to re injure it.
I'm not sugar coating anything, and my Dr. (The surgeon for the NY Jets) and the guy I went to before him (The surgeon for the NY Giants) are very reputable, they were both in agreement on the bicep.
now who knows....maybe my bicep was messed up along with the rotator cuff for years so I'll never miss it....I'm just telling you the surgeon said it's a non issue, and so far he's right!
all to often people turn to the internet to complain about something, and no so much when it goes well. I'm just relating my experience so far at 4 months in. I guess that could change, but so far so good. YMMV.
There are a lot of variables that come into play:
how good is the tissue they are repairing (the older the injury the worse it is)
smoker/non smoker
skill of the surgeon
patient following guidelines to the T
Physical Therapist pushing you...but not too far.
how well you heal and your tolerance for pain (if you are the kind that stays on the narcotics for a while it will take longer to heal)
Pick your surgeon wisely!