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Are cramps after nerve block for rotator repair surgery normal?

Posted by radinski @radinski, Jan 12 12:21pm

Does anyone know if cramps are a result of nerve blocks? I had a rotator cuff repair about 6 months ago. I get cramps in my arm that I never had an issue with before.

Thank you

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 17 10:36pm
In reply to @radinski "I’ve been carefully listening to my body and thought that I should get back to normal...." + (show)
@radinski

I’ve been carefully listening to my body and thought that I should get back to normal. Nothing strenuous though. PT was from July to October. The cramping occurs when I am getting something from the fridge or reaching into the back of a cabinet for example.
I agree that there should be some type of resistance pain during healing.
I’m curious to know what my surgeon will say as well.
Thank you!

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According to my instructions, I am still limited to 2 lbs lifting. I overdid while reorganizing yesterday and paid with cramping all night last night. Today I backed off, and have iced and taken tylenol-hoping tonight is better.
We have transitioned to our winter tiny house, so I meet my new PT next week. And I move to the next phase in my doc's protocol.

REPLY
1 reply
radinski | @radinski | Jan 18 6:33am
In reply to @sueinmn "According to my instructions, I am still limited to 2 lbs lifting. I overdid while reorganizing..." + (show)
@sueinmn

According to my instructions, I am still limited to 2 lbs lifting. I overdid while reorganizing yesterday and paid with cramping all night last night. Today I backed off, and have iced and taken tylenol-hoping tonight is better.
We have transitioned to our winter tiny house, so I meet my new PT next week. And I move to the next phase in my doc's protocol.

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Surgeon instructed me to return to normal activities as I am able. I can use my Total Gym now. Cramping only occurs for a few seconds when reaching out and down. I can usually do 2-3 pendulum swings if necessary.
Enjoy wintering!

REPLY
soarus57 | @soarus57 | Jan 19 12:35pm
In reply to @radinski "Lord, I hope not! Is that like a heel cord release? Because if it is, my..." + (show)
@radinski

Lord, I hope not! Is that like a heel cord release? Because if it is, my arm will never be the same. I had rotator cuff repair surgery in 2007 as well. Back then, I don’t think they used a nerve block. They inserted a pain pump lead and I had to have an ice therapy machine. With proper PT, I sailed through. Thank you!

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I don’t know what a heel cord is but you might want to ask your doc if your biceps was released. Mine was and now my arm cramps when carrying heavy items (bags of water softener salt, etc) or doing repetitive motions like using a manual can opener.

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1 reply
radinski | @radinski | Jan 19 1:30pm
In reply to @soarus57 "I don’t know what a heel cord is but you might want to ask your doc..." + (show)
@soarus57

I don’t know what a heel cord is but you might want to ask your doc if your biceps was released. Mine was and now my arm cramps when carrying heavy items (bags of water softener salt, etc) or doing repetitive motions like using a manual can opener.

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It’s the Achilles tendon.
I’ll be contacting him this week and will ask him about the bicep muscle when I can get and appointment.
Is that something that you anticipate will improve over time?

REPLY
soarus57 | @soarus57 | Jan 20 8:56am

When your bicep is released, the long head is cut where it inserts into the shoulder so now, my bicep is only attached with the short head so instead of a bi cep, it’s now a mono cep. Before surgery, I was unable to raise my arm above my head without significant pain. Now, five years later, full range of motion without pain but a loss of strength and I have cramping on occasion which I do not expect to improve unless my bicep is surgically reattached. As with most things in life, it’s a trade off.

REPLY
1 reply
radinski | @radinski | Jan 20 12:04pm
In reply to @soarus57 "When your bicep is released, the long head is cut where it inserts into the shoulder..." + (show)
@soarus57

When your bicep is released, the long head is cut where it inserts into the shoulder so now, my bicep is only attached with the short head so instead of a bi cep, it’s now a mono cep. Before surgery, I was unable to raise my arm above my head without significant pain. Now, five years later, full range of motion without pain but a loss of strength and I have cramping on occasion which I do not expect to improve unless my bicep is surgically reattached. As with most things in life, it’s a trade off.

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Thank you for clarifying. Before I had surgery raising my arm over my head brought relief. Using a desktop computer was very painful. Cramping has decreased some this week. I think that it may be the process but it felt better prior to surgery. I have lots of painless spasms/ twitches as well.

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