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Orthopedic Surgeon Said, “Do NOT Do Physical Therapy In Painful Stage! Makes Worse”

Posted , 15 users are following.

Je_n
Je_n

Good morning all,

Finally saw an Orthopedic Specialist yesterday.  He told me that Physical Therapy was the worst thing you can do if you are still in the painfull stage of FS. Which is something myself and a lot of others on this website have suspected. He said it can auctually extend the FS and make it worse. The Ortho suggested doing a few of the excercises at home and if it hurts STOP.  I just wanted ot pass this along to everyone. This is something some of us learned the hard way. The doctor said this has to run it's course, there is nothing you can do to ride it out. 

The doctor also said that most Diabetics, such as myself a several others here, it takes about 3 years for us to cycle through Frozen Shoulder (FS). Guess I am only about 8 months in...Guess I am still in the freezing stage.  No surgery for me yet.. Going to try new treatments in a few months.

5 likes, 58 replies

58 Replies

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  • karen25221
    karen25221 Je_n

    Posted

    Physio made mine worse everytime i went i used to cry for days after, until physio said NO More im referring you back to orthopaedics. I just had surgery the last week in bow 7 days post op.its great and as 2 years in to FS so i woukd agree with specialiat its not good or FS x
    • Je_n
      Je_n karen25221

      Posted

      I had the same experience Karen, I know we are all different, but I was in so much pain every day it was outragious. I am still  in pain, but not like that. I have a high pain tolerence and that was beyond reasonable. Like you, I would cry at Physical Therapy and after. They couldn't figure out what the issue was. Some of us have very dense tissue that forms over the joint and makes it pretty much impossible to do what the Physical Therypest asks.  
  • FSconversations
    FSconversations Je_n

    Posted

    Hi Jenn...I'm so glad you posted this. Very interesting to hear this from an Ortho. It certainly fits with my experience! Now that I'm thawing I am thinking of starting physio again with the gentle exercises, but never the aggressive physio again. Hear, hear! In the meantime, I continue to be intentional about using my FS arm as much as possible in everyday life.

    Thanks again!

    Liane

    • Je_n
      Je_n FSconversations

      Posted

      I agree! I try to just use my arm as normally as possible.  Even it it's not the best ROM (range of motion), at least we are moving. 
  • maria58274
    maria58274 Je_n

    Posted

    I whole-heartedly agree - it makes me cringe when I hear people talking about tearing at adhesions and "no pain no gain".  Yes, they may still get better in time - but I suspect it may have been even quicker had they listened to their own bodies.  There is so much contradictory advice with this condition.
  • angela58489
    angela58489 Je_n

    Posted

    Thanks for passing on that info Jenn I think most of us suspected as much although its reassuring to hear it from a professional.
  • Je_n
    Je_n

    Posted

    My husband told me not to go to PT, I didn't listen and I really think I made it worse by trying to just power through the pain. duhhh!

    There sure is contradictory advice on the condition Maria! I am sure we have all read the same things online trying to figure out how to get rid of this nasty condition sooner. Thank goodness for this forum! Thank you all ladies. I appreciate all of the support here. 

  • midonda
    midonda Je_n

    Posted

    I'm on my second round of frozen shoulder. When I had it in my left side the first time I was EXTREMELY aggressive with it. I pushed it hard with PT, pain killers, TENS unit, anything to push it to the max. It took over 3 years to get over it, after I finally backed off. This time,, it's in my right shoulder, and all I'm doing is heat and massage therapy. Well, I'm not quite a year yet and I've almost beat this thing. So, I strongly believe what you posted. I, however, learned the hard way.
  • bobbysgirl
    bobbysgirl Je_n

    Posted

    Thanks for the info. But that is SO depressing. Both my shoulders are affected, one for over a year now. I am on the waiting list to see an Orthopedic surgeon and have been told I have a 1 year wait JUST to see one!rolleyes

     

    • Je_n
      Je_n bobbysgirl

      Posted

      Bobbysgirl, 1 year? That's crazy.

      Well, if it makes any difference, the Ortho sent me home and said im in a waiting pattern.... So nothing he can do for a few months.

      I really think they just wait it out.. Keep us full of pills and hope for the best! Lol

    • karen25221
      karen25221 Je_n

      Posted

      i was 2 years from when it first to when i first saw consultant she discharged me back to my GP after shevinjected it referred me for physio. I had 4 physio sessions then theyvreferred me back as itvwas to painful then U/S scan then ingotvreferred to musculoskeketal.centre had another cortisone injection didnt work. Complained as i was beingpassed from pillar to post and nothing being done and pain getting worse i finally got.to see consultant January this year had hydro dilation February saw consiltant again March surgery last week 😊😊happy no pain no scar tissue just post op aches
    • bobbysgirl
      bobbysgirl Je_n

      Posted

      Well I JUST got an appointment through to see a GENERAL Surgeon - NOT an Orthopedic Surgeon. Why do I feel this is getting nowhere fast.rolleyes

      Shoulder is not frozen now just incredibly painful and clunking like a ratchet.

  • d59025
    d59025 Je_n

    Posted

    Thanks for sharing this. That was my experience with physical therapy, too!
  • FSconversations
    FSconversations Je_n

    Posted

    Jenn & Fellow Frozen:

    Here is a study to support what the Ortho Surgeon says - not exactly bedtime reading, but google "Adhesive Capsulitis: Use the Evidence to Integrate your Interventions"  published in 2010 in a journal of physical therapy. It has some interesting ideas about scarring, best exercises, the 'shrug' etc., but mostly it's great because it concludes that intensive physio is counterproductive. Yes!

    • maria58274
      maria58274 FSconversations

      Posted

      Interesting - also interesting what is says about MUA and the risks it poses.  Seeing as this was published in 2010, it would seem it hasn't been read by a lot of "professionals".  
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