The MRI showed that there was a full thickness retracted tear of the supraspinatus tendon in addition to the full tear of the biceps tendon. While it is not really necessary to repair just the biceps tendon, the thinking is if the rotator cuff needs to be repaired anyway, it makes sense to do both procedures now, before the biceps tendon atrophies. I probably have another two weeks to have the procedure done before the biceps tendon becomes inoperable.
The surgeon believes that the rotator cuff tear is acute, it just happened, and the muscle will retract and get weaker, atrophy, and begin to cause pain soon. “If you don't fix it now, it will get bad fast. Best results are within six weeks before the muscle retracts. After 1-3 years, it may become inoperable.”
The rehab looks tough. I will be in a sling for six weeks, unable to use my right (good) arm. I won't be carrying anything heavier than a cup of water for eight weeks, a 5 pound weight for 12 weeks and a 10 pound weight for 25 weeks. That's six months before I can lift anything more than 10 pounds with my right hand.
I am scheduled for surgery in two days.
Here are pics of my right arm biceps muscle without the tendon:
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