I had shoulder surgery 5 months back. The surgery went great, and the first 3 months of physical therapy went well also. About 2 months one of the PT techs began aggressive stretching on my arm. He would have me lay on my back with my operated arm off the table. He would then lift it above my head and hyper extend it behind my head. Basically my arm would be below the table behind my head if that makes sense. The stretching was causing me a lot of pain to the point it would take my breath away, and my muscles were involuntarily guarding the repair.
During one of the sessions we both felt a little pop. He said it was likely scar tissue breaking up, and at this point in my recovery the shoulder was mostly healed. He said it was unlikely that he could damage the repair. Ever since that session I have the same pain I had when I initially tore my shoulder. With each session it is getting worse.
I had a follow-up with my surgeon the same week, and I told him the pain I was having. He stated that the stretch is too aggressive and not natural even if I hadn't had surgery. He said to keep an eye on it and we'll reevaluate at the next follow-up.
When I returned to physical therapy my tech was on "medical leave." The other techs made it seem like he had covid, but obviously bc of HIPPA they couldn't confirm the reason. When he returned I asked him if he was better, and he ended up confiding in me that he was having marital problems and his drinking had gotten out of control. He went on to tell me that it was nothing to pound a few tall boys during his lunch.I had smelled alcohol on him in the past, but didn't think much off it.
I believe my shoulder is torn again, and I believe it is due to his negligence. I have a follow-up with my surgeon, and I'm going to ask for an MRI. I'm at month 5, but my progress feels like it is back to month 2 with pain I wasn't having. I'm angry and frustrated. At first I was happy for him to get the help he needed, but the more I think on it I can't believe someone would day drink and manipulate surgically repaired joints.
If it is confirmed my shoulder is torn once again what would you do in my situation?
TLDR: Physical Therapy Tech (military) was drinking during the day and working on patients (me).
During one of the sessions we both felt a little pop. He said it was likely scar tissue breaking up, and at this point in my recovery the shoulder was mostly healed. He said it was unlikely that he could damage the repair. Ever since that session I have the same pain I had when I initially tore my shoulder. With each session it is getting worse.
I had a follow-up with my surgeon the same week, and I told him the pain I was having. He stated that the stretch is too aggressive and not natural even if I hadn't had surgery. He said to keep an eye on it and we'll reevaluate at the next follow-up.
When I returned to physical therapy my tech was on "medical leave." The other techs made it seem like he had covid, but obviously bc of HIPPA they couldn't confirm the reason. When he returned I asked him if he was better, and he ended up confiding in me that he was having marital problems and his drinking had gotten out of control. He went on to tell me that it was nothing to pound a few tall boys during his lunch.I had smelled alcohol on him in the past, but didn't think much off it.
I believe my shoulder is torn again, and I believe it is due to his negligence. I have a follow-up with my surgeon, and I'm going to ask for an MRI. I'm at month 5, but my progress feels like it is back to month 2 with pain I wasn't having. I'm angry and frustrated. At first I was happy for him to get the help he needed, but the more I think on it I can't believe someone would day drink and manipulate surgically repaired joints.
If it is confirmed my shoulder is torn once again what would you do in my situation?
TLDR: Physical Therapy Tech (military) was drinking during the day and working on patients (me).