Interesting you ask bo-den.
I'll give you the run down.
I got the surgery dec 2008.
It was "successful" as far as a surgery 4 months after the injury could be.
It took 6 months of constant physio to get full range of motion back.
I had, if lucky, 10% strenght. I couldn't even do a 10lb dumbbell without serious pain.
After a year, I was sick of waiting, and started researching. Prolotherapy seemed to be a good option. It took 16 shots of prolo to get my tendons from 10% to around 70% strength right now. I've basically plateauded there.
I have more pain in my elbow than I do in my other non torn elbow. This is apparently the way I will be for life. It doesn't get in the way of normal day to day activity. I can even ride my motorcycle.
For lifting I have to warm up really good to be able to reach the max 70% strength, and has to be controlled stuff. Dips out of the question. Dumbbell tricep extensions out. Basically the only thing I can do safely is cable pull downs. Too high and risk retearing.
It sucks but I thank God I have 70% and not 10%.
I'll give you the run down.
I got the surgery dec 2008.
It was "successful" as far as a surgery 4 months after the injury could be.
It took 6 months of constant physio to get full range of motion back.
I had, if lucky, 10% strenght. I couldn't even do a 10lb dumbbell without serious pain.
After a year, I was sick of waiting, and started researching. Prolotherapy seemed to be a good option. It took 16 shots of prolo to get my tendons from 10% to around 70% strength right now. I've basically plateauded there.
I have more pain in my elbow than I do in my other non torn elbow. This is apparently the way I will be for life. It doesn't get in the way of normal day to day activity. I can even ride my motorcycle.
For lifting I have to warm up really good to be able to reach the max 70% strength, and has to be controlled stuff. Dips out of the question. Dumbbell tricep extensions out. Basically the only thing I can do safely is cable pull downs. Too high and risk retearing.
It sucks but I thank God I have 70% and not 10%.