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Old 02-09-2011, 06:48 PM
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mtomaino mtomaino is offline
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Default More questions and responses

1. regarding the scope …. Is this something you would do as a exploratory procedure and then proceed only if the tendons were re-attachable ?

The scope is done 1st and at the same procedure I repair the tendons. If repair is not possible we clean debris up and possibly release and tenodese the biceps tendon—which can help with pain relief

2. is this a procedure that can wait 2-3 months for seasons change ? ….tough dealing with the after-affects during winter !

Yes---but 3 months may result in further muscle change---in other words, absent the normal strain on the muscles from an attached tendon unit, atrophy can progress and muscle stiffness may prevent the tendon from reaching the bone to allow repair.

3. what would the cost be if you just did a scope and no procedure ?

Much less---but there would be no reason not to fix the tendons if repair is possible!

4 with respect to atrophy are you referring to the tendon and its condition / quality OR the notes on the MRI indicating mild / moderate atrophy in the supra and infra muscle bellies, respectively ? I suspect the former.

Atrophy refers to the muscle, not the tendon. Think of the muscle as the “motor”—thus, if there is atrophy, even if the repair heals, you may have less gas in the motor.

5. if there is tendon atrophy would you do a latimus dorsi transplant to compensate ?

The latissimus transfer is performed in the event that your tears are not fixable and when you begin to lose the ability to raise your arm overhead as effectively.
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