+ 3 Anyone who has ever had a Bad RTC Tear or Surgery please comment
Okay, I know the guy's on here who don't like me will probably be happy to see this - but I've had a week nearly to adjust to what has happened so it doesn't feel quite as catastrophic and shocking as it did at first, and realise I just have to move forward with it and do whatever is required 
A lot of this is my own fault tbh, for a long time now I have known my right shoulder was in a bad state but often when the joint and rotator cuff soreness has affected lifting in benching I have just had longer periods off training and let myself heal (or so I thought lol). There have been many occasions where I have simply held back and done lighter sessions and things seemed to have healed in terms of performance and pain. I now realise though through lots of research that I should of been doing specific rotator cuff exercises routinely each week consisting of external rotation work and band work, but as is often with life you never realise quite the importance of doing these things until something goes badly wrong and its too late.
To cut a very long story short, when I was training last Sunday night on my final set of 3 moderate reps, on just the first rep going down when I began the ascent back up all of a sudden with no prior warning whatsoever my right arm literally gave way in a split second with a sensation where it felt like my shoulder jolted out of my back with a huge pop/bang sound. The bar smashed down onto the safety rails and I am laid there in shock thinking Ooohh Fuck my pec has just torn - only to then realise thats fine and its my RTC that has just given way. Never even knew thats what happens when it goes!!
I then spent until 7am in A&E first having an X ray done which apparently is first port of call, then the various RTC tests they do to try and pinpoint which cuff is injured. In the Doctors own words he doesn't think it is a full rupture otherwise I simply wouldn't be able to move my arm at all in some directions but more a tear or sprain (I don't see how it can just be a sprain though). I have to go back beginning of next week to see the Specialist shoulder doctor and hopefully will get an Ultrasound or MRI done to see just what % is torn. I know for sure it is the Infraspinatus that goes across the back shoulder blade and connects on the side/back of the arm as thats where the main soreness and stiffness has always been.
It has become much less painful & inflamed over the week, I can move the arm in all directions now but the popping and cracking still emanates when externally rotating my arm outwards similar to the position where it gave way at the bottom of a bench path.
My questions are to the guys who have been through this, especially tearing the same area when benching. What was the extent of the tear that you suffered in terms of % (over 50% here means surgery), I believe anything under 50% they advise to do rehab and increase and repair the strength of it - But surely if you train and lift weights ideally it needs to be repaired anyway to ensure the proper strength of it? Any advice or input from any members who have been through a bad tear or surgery is greatly appreciated 
- Bookmark
- 3
- 0
I fully torn my bicep distal right arm. It took two weeks to test for MRI etc and than operating table. In two months I was back to lifting and fully recovered in 6 months. Make sure you ask the doctor how many he has done and if he has worked on our type of people. Make sure you get a good confident doc.
Wow buddy , I hope all goes well . You will be back in no time , serious lifters are the worst patients lol .
@Pandateston Not sure if you have seen the Diagnosis below mate but obviously things ain't good!!! I must admit once I realised it was the Supraspinatus I had torn and not the infraspinatus things seemed to improve a little - I began doing supraspinatus orientated rehab work more like 45 degree front full can raises etc and could definitely feel the strength & mobility get better and tendon seemed to crack and pop less. I figured maybe it was just a 1/3 across the tendon tear and I could get away with things as long as I strengthen and conditioned it well again - BUT no, Medium sized Tear and full thickness near full width of critical zone where blood supply is virtually non existent - so no healing possible at all. They say my Infraspinatus is also showing Mild fraying at the rear so maybe they might look at doing that also whilst they are in there?
Things are moving as good as can be pal, 2nd June back in to discuss findings with shoulder specialist and then the following wednesday on the 10th all the Shoulder surgeons meet once a week to discuss upcoming surgeries with patients so I'm in with them then. The outlook on the Diagnosis reads as very positive surgery wise, as the 'Footprint' of the tendon is still on the bone. Learnt so much about all this now pal and the RTC, what all the different terms and dimensions of the tear relate to. Surgery outcomes related to fatty accumulation in the tendon, Double Row suture repair vs Single Row etc its all very interesting!! Hell I'd even say its enjoyable learning if I wasn't going through it myself buddy!! LMAO
For sure its opened my eyes to how important it is for anyone doing weights to do some RTC strength and conditioning work at least once a week, this isn't just something that you can fuck up doing flat bench press but many different exercises. Doing any kind of Overhead pressing REALLY stresses the RTC whether your form is good or not, wide lat pulldowns and simple incline dumbell pressing all hammer the supraspinatus (the main one that always ruptures).
Brother, honestly the positive thing here is exactly what you mentioned … the footprint still being attached to the bone usually gives MUCH better surgical outlook and recovery potential
And the fact you already started adapting rehab movements instinctively and noticed improvement tells me your awareness of the injury/mechanics is actually very good.
Sucks that it ended up being a full thickness tear though… supraspinatus really is the sacrificial lamb of bodybuilding/powerlifting shoulders unfortunately…
But honestly your mindset about learning the anatomy, repair methods, rehab process and RTC function instead of mentally collapsing over it will probably help you tremendously during recovery.
And you’re 100% right:
most lifters massively underestimate rotator cuff conditioning until something finally snaps.
Wishing you the best possible repair and recovery, big bro @press1
@5percent4life
@Goodfella1118
@Jimmy1048
@Zee
@smurfdude1234567
Jesus christ that sounds awful.... and I have a real hard time believing there are people on here that don't like you.
But anyway, do you think you'll experiment with copper peptides or any other peptides to see if it will heal that faster?
It's Fucked mate - the report is below that they sent me buddy
Oh I see your post already explaining this. My bad.
Good luck with that buddy, I really hope that all gets back to the best that it can. You gonna end up with super massive legs now since your arm is out of commission?
I do have a Safety squat bar that you can use if your shoulders are out of action for exactly this reason LMAO I would only do them as something to do over that period to keep some maintenance strength in Deadlifts - which given how long the time will be will probably be a God send when it comes to it Lol
So the Results are in and the final Votes counted ......
'Full Thickness near full Width tear of Critical zone fibres of Supraspinatus. The tear measures 1.8cm by 1.5cm.The Infraspinatus shows mild fraying but no full thickness tear. Teres minor, Subscapularis and long Bicep head are intact.
Been told already first thing this morning Surgery is advised lol
Not great at all - but I knew with my entire arm giving way it wasn't just a regular tear, something big had to have snapped off for that to happen the way it did
Keep strong through all this brother @press1
I know it probably sucks physically and emotionally too, but honestly sometimes these setbacks end up teaching us things and forcing changes we probably would’ve never made otherwise.
And from the way you’re approaching this mentally, I honestly think you’ll come back much stronger overall long term.
How are you feeling about the surgery route so far? You leaning toward just getting it done ASAP?
And hey… I’m definitely not a doctor or shoulder specialist LMAO but if you ever need anything or just wanna talk through the process, you can always count on me brother.
Honestly mate - I'm raring to go Lol
If the surgeon rang me up tonight and said can you come in for some Fetish nurses and Humorous drilling I'd be there in a flash!!! LMAO
Nah mate, 10 or 20 years ago I would of been absolutely SHITTING myself over all this - seeing it as the End of The World but after being through numerous tooth implant surgeries and sedations where I am effectively put to sleep anyway with all the memory wipes I've been through I just see it as another version of that - apart from the pain will be worse afterwards and I only have 1 arm for 6 bloody weeks!! If I had the money pal I could get it done privately in 1 to 2 weeks which would be amazing, but I am a poor Bitch these days and cannot get near the £7k it would cost. So unfortunately I envisage the surgery being anywhere from 2.5 months to 4.5 months from right now which is horrible to think about too much, as thats all just a waiting game for me, Dead time when I could be recovering. If I went private I would have the sling off BEFORE even getting under the knife doing it NHS route. Is what it is though mate - no choice in the matter. Well ...... there is I guess - I could become a Rent Boy/Bitch for some wealthy old bloke but then I'd forever have the memories of it LMAO
I appreciate your kind words buddy
Well man... short term is going to suck, as previously discussed, but long term.... your shoulder will probably be better than it was prior.
Ohhh for sure pal - I now know why it was always sore and stiff for the years leading up to it all, my fault also for using a wide grip on bench too but it always gave a great chest pump!! lol
OOhh man I need some way of getting a lottery win or maybe GO FUND PRESS'S SHOULDER!!! LMAO Just been on the phone to the Private hospital nearby and they said they can do surgery within 1 to 2 weeks at a cost of between £6 to £8k which I have nowhere near LOL
PRESS HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN MRI'D MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!
THE DEATH MACHINE HAS MAGNETIZED ME ......
I currently have a Gaper that won't close LMAO - Get results in 2 days
PRESS THIS MORNING .....
fuck that magnet coffin
I Hope I hear something back from the Surgeon today - this is really pissing me off now lol I've lost some right size from no training now mate
It's gonna be like starting as a gym newbie again in 5 months time.
Yes as already mentioned TB500 and BPC157. Together is when the real healing takes place. Worked for me amd I was back at it in 3 months and 100% in 4 months. Close friend of mine in the same boat had the same results. We are both in our 50's.
The BPC157 local injection to the problem area. TB500 sub injection. The TB500 was a heavier dose for the first few weeks to load up, like 10mg per week? Don't use the mixed combo for this issue though.
You will be back at it soon!!
Cheers M8
Update: Currently waiting on an MRI appointment date ASAP at the Hospital
Saw the Shoulder Consultant 1 week ago and she says it must be a partial thickness tear due to the mobility and strength that is still there in the RTC diagnosis tests. Thinks it may also involve the supraspinatus as well as infraspinatus but will be confirmed in MRI if thats the case. She also is considering that it could of been dislocated temporarily and then popped back in. Personally I am hoping it was a tear as I would be fearful as hell of it dislocating again in the future if thats the case lol
In terms of how its feeling, since I began BPC 157 at 500mcg a day on the 3rd day the inflammation, stiffness and soreness soon began dissipating alongside 30mg of Collagen peptides per day. If it wasn't for the fact that I enjoy lifting then I could more than manage the way it is with regained arm functionality - but as its a key part of my life then if the tear is found to be significant then surgery is the only option in reality.
Really pleased to read MRI on way and sounds like the peptides are helping. I think Nuffield Health Gyms do MRI but don't know how much they cost or wait times. if not on their website you could also check Chatgpt for local providers it will also list prices, wait times ,and details of specialists including reviews . But obviously go with NHS if they can get you in soon and save money thats very expensive surgery.
If you don't hear back within a week for your MRI, (and I put a lot of emphasis on this) - keep chasing or harassing your GP or hospital until they get fed up and book you in, or explain repeatedly how it is impacting your career and you're in severe pain, don't take no as a response. Unfortunately due to my health conditions I have had lots of experience with the NHS and sadly this is the only way to get you in soon otherwise your name is just on sat in some admin's list for the next availability while your condition could potentially deteriorate further. I developed Tinnitus but my GP twice declined to refer me to a specialist telling me that he could only do it if it was dramatically impacting my mental health which I explained it obviously was as it was driving me mad and I was struggling to hear as well as sleep, and his response was that was the normal side effects of tinnitius but doesn't meet the criteria for a refferal. - I regret not going private at the time as I now have permanent Tinnitus which also impacts my hearing, my GP is now recommending hearing aids.
I am going to start the same stack as you and maybe add GHK-Cu for the additional collagen support. Also looking to stay permanent on TB and BPC. I keep reading new studies showing additional benefits of peptides. Including potential for brain recovery and protection. You may experience other health benefits while on peptides.
Wishing you the best Press
Hey Buddy!
I think the MRI appointment should come through after this bank holiday pal, she has told me she has done an Urgent referal and normally those are seen to within 2 weeks according to my local hospital info. I have also done a lot of research on private treatment and I can get a private scan within 1 week locally but cost ranges from £380 to £500 depending on where and size of the bore of the machine lol Was gonna be an Ultrasound at first but once she had spoken to the shoulder surgeons they demanded and MRI. Rotator cuff surgery privately is £7000 but it seems at the rate at which this is progressing then I may be seen fairly quickly, I could get the money together but obv would rather take the free option lol
I am wondering how much more effective the BPC is when its paired with TB 500 and if its worth the extra outlay? If its noticeably better I will stretch to it as seen as its just a twice weekly injection, even though its more per vial lol I feel you on the tinnitus mate - my Dad now has it permenantly from playing in a Rock Band and he says it drove him nuts at first, but you kinda get use to it. I have noticed that my Acid reflux is considerably better using the BPC which its renown for helping.
Yeah buddy its for sure a phase of life I'd rather I wasn't happening but if I'm honest I knew that at some point unless I eased up on what I want to be lifting then as I am getting older it was just a ticking timebomb waiting to happen.
That seems very reasonable timescale. I have heard BPC helps with the gut and lining. I am used to the tinnitus now, living on a busy road with windows open all day and night hearing traffic sound I think was the cause of it as that's what it sound like in my ears like cars driving on a busy road.
I will prob order the TB/BPC and Monday as I it won't get posted until after the BH and will let you know how it goes.
Keep us posted Press and hope the weather is better where you are.
Buddy its been Pissing it down Royally all damn day!!! LMAO
It’s gonna be quite challenging trying to pin yourself! But if there’s a will there’s a way!!
'And there is a Fackin way!!!!
'SEARCHIIIIIN -------- SEEK AND DESTROYY!!!!
See, I'm already goin round the bend LMAO
The number one thing is time. I’ve had a few pretty bad injuries. The main ones that still limit me today are my shoulder, knee, and lower back.
Surgery is the only true solution lots of the time. I’ve tried nearly everything from drugs to therapies to trials.
Not RTC but torn labrum wrestling in HS. Never fixed it and eventually tore really bad in football. Surgery and downtime was the answer. About 85% of what it once was. My right kneecap has gotten completely shattered twice now. Originally only setting and waiting could be done- now it’s mostly metal and maybe 60% of what it once was.
All I can say is don’t ignore it! Take care of yourself and try to find the best in the field in your area.
Know that you have to allow yourself some leniency in recovery. You deserve the grace and break required to get back to where you want to be.
After comments so far regarding all this pal - I actually think that over the years I have been creating small tears in it that sometimes have healed and other times haven't, but because the pain has subsided in time I have been able to train again after resting it. Now it has all finally caught up with me and I've finally had one big and significate tear. I am prepared for the worst any way and if I get the option straight away of having it operated on then I will do it. It would actually be great to have it all new and working well again like it was many years ago now - But yeah its just gonna be the extremely frustrating time of being able to do absolutely nothing in terms of training that will be a killer. Times goes by though, before you know it 6 months will have passed and we will be heading into winter again on here LOL
@Goodfella1118 Have you ever been through this buddy?
Hey my buddy I’m sorry this happened to you , I have personally never torn my cuff, injured shoulder a few times and I backed off until it was better , modified workouts and such… my best friend on the other hand tore his it was almost a complete tear. He had the surgery rested it and began rehab … after 3-4 months had him back in the gym and I helped him slowly gain his strength back , he’s now back at 90% after 8 months .lots of work with bands. If you know rotator cuff surgery this is incredibly fast . He was on low dose growth , and the Wolverine stack during rehab and on and off since . The surgeon said it’s bc he was exercising before and after that he recovered so well . Listen to the doctors if you need surgery do it , a rotator cuff tear isn’t the death sentence to lifting like it was years ago … I wish you all the best my friend , let me know how you make out !
It's Great to hear stories like this buddy
Did he narrow his grip then and just find doing all the band work really helped his cuffs further down the line? I wish I'd of known that this sensation I was always getting down the side of my arm was the Infraspinatus tendon join on my arm - I could of sorted it and got it healthy no problem. When I first read all about RTC issues I found the whole unit hard to get my head around first in terms of what it actually did - basically resisting and stabilising your own deltoid muscles and bone. I still don't fully understand what some of the tendons are involved in certain movements lol It always seems to be involved in the actual lowering of the weight in the finishing portion of the rep when the arm is most stretched.
Yes that’s definitely where you feel it , he said same thing . Yes he narrowed his grip , and the bands did huge things for him with recovery . Keep us posted !
Come on mate - I'm waiting for a @Pandateston Full breakdown & Analysis on my current situation
BIG…that sucks, but shit happens…and tbh, I don’t have much to add from personal experience since I never had a serious tear like that myself, but I’ve seen a close friend and some clients go through similar stuff.
From what I’ve seen, if it’s under 50%, rehab can work really well if you take it seriously. Don’t rush it. That’s the biggest mistake I’ve seen. Slow rebuild, bands, external rotations, and actually sticking to it.
What helped my friend a lot was running BPC157 + TB500 …. not low doses. Around 2mg each daily for a few weeks, then tapering down. (30 days 2mg each + 15 days 1mg each) plus 4-5iu GH daily … Helped a lot with recovery and getting back to lifting.
On the PED side, I’d keep things mild maybe low/moderate Deca, low Anavar… stuff that can support collagen and tissue health. Avoid anything too harsh or “dry” right now.
The PED protocol definitely helped, but the real key was proper rehab/physio and staying consistent in the gym. Avoiding shoulder rotation and benching for a bit made a big difference, then gradually building back up and increasing intensity over time
MRI is key though … that’s what’s gonna tell the real story. If it’s a high-grade tear, yeah, surgery might be the move. But if it’s partial, you’ve got a good shot with proper rehab.
Big bro. Take your time with this … RTC issues come back fast if you rush it. Hope you recover strong
So true, unfortunately, lifting heavy, This is just one of the classic injuries that most of us will endure. Best thing you can do is just bite the bullet and get it healed properly. It sucks, but you will come back stronger.
I've been looking Online for the soonest private MRI scan I can find locally and that will be in 2 weeks time, £360 for it. Is it likely they will give me an MRI with contrast dye or not?
Bro, most likely they’ll start you with a standard MRI (no contrast). That’s usually the first step.
But honestly, for rotator cuff stuff, MRI with contrast gives a much clearer picture … especially for partial tears and labrum involvement. (In the states …If you’re paying out of pocket, you’re looking anywhere from $800 to $1500+, sometimes more depending where you go.) so… uk price looks good tbh…
If you’ve got the option, I’d ask upfront for contrast and save yourself time. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you end up doing a second scan anyway.
I'm just a bit worried about that Contrast dye mate as I've seen others talk about it on here saying it made them feel ill as fuck!!! Although when I researched it then it says its very rare it does that?!!
I was thinking more along the lines that they may give me an Ultrasound/CT scan initially and then maybe request an MRI? I really don't know how it all works pal.
Bro, I think you’ll be fine. Not gonna lie though, contrast dye can feel pretty nasty lol.
I’ve had MRIs done like three times, and one of those I was already feeling like crap mid-blast running grams of Adrol… LMAO. So yeah, I got so nauseous I actually threw up in the prep room. Definitely made an impression lol
But honestly, that was more my situation than anything else. Most people handle it just fine.
You’ll be good, brother man … seriously. Step by step. Hope everything goes smooth and you bounce back even stronger
Private Health Insurance is £50 per month here for me after just getting a quote, that would of covered all scans and surgery bills etc. Also Dental etc (For when I drop a dumbell on my mouth LMAO)
@5percent4life Have you ever had this to you buddy?
@Jimmy1048
Ahhh shit bro, that sucks. Get the MRI and a good surgeon. Hopefully you will recover quickly like I did.
Problem is that they can’t actually see the full extent till they get the cameras in there and start seeing the damage, I was told 3-4 months with no use of my arm and then woke up to find out it was much worse and it would be more like 8-12 months till full recovery. But I kept test going and worked hard to recover, i bounced back much faster than they expected. Now I’m lifting heavy weights again, feel so much better bro. Just take the time to reset and come back stronger than ever! My spine is a different story, but still a lot better. Hit me up if you want any help brother.
Also you can still keep your legs in check! Hit the the leg extensions, glutes and calves ect
I wanna Bench though Baby - NOTHING feels as good as benching
LMAO
Haha, yeah I totally get it, but at least it something, otherwise you can become completely unstuck.
OOoohhh Shit Mate - NOOOoooo LMAO!!!!!
Yeah I forget an RTC surgery is probably pretty minor to you lol
Can you remember the approximate % torn when they initially looked at it in the MRI scan - did they bother doing an Ultrasound first also or was it just straight to MRI?
Did your arm give way in training like mine did or was it just continual soreness deep in the shoulder?
Yes, definitely, my arm gave away many times. Sometimes I couldn’t even move my left arm for days afterwards. I can’t remember, but the tear was quite substantial. I can go through my old hospital notes. I’m pretty sure it was mm’s.
And there was all the stuff as well. I had a bursa. When I woke up from surgery, it was like WTF., wasn’t expecting my recovery to go from 3 to 6 months to 8-12!!
LMFAO!!! They got you good and proper there Jimmy!!
Pre surgery briefing - 'Hey Everyone, remember to stick to the story and tell that Huge Guy that he will be training again no problem within 3 to 6 months post OP'
Post surgery with Jimmy laid still half paralysed under Local - 'Yeah really sorry to break this to ya mate but things have changed - NO Training for 8 to 12 months now fella, things were way worse after we got in and had a look'
Yeah - I think he bought it ........ LMFAOOOO