Newly diagnosed frozen shoulder - advice needed
Posted , 14 users are following.
Sorry that this is rather long but I came upon this forum after researching this painful condition and thought if anyone would understand, fellow sufferers might, as they would appear to be the "experts" in this little understood condition!
I started with shoulder pain about 4 months ago and after eventually realising my problem was getting worse and wasn't going to get better on it's own, I visited my GP a couple of weeks ago and was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder. He gave me a load of painkillers (with limited effect) and recommended physio. As we have Bupa via my other half's job, I was able to bypass the 12 week NHS waiting list and organise this straight away. I was given the name of a couple of local clinics and chose one that specifically mentioned the treatment of frozen shoulders on it's web site.
I went for my first physion session last Monday and was treated by a nice and sympathetic young woman, who examined me and asked lots of questions. She explained the condition and the need to try to get my shoulder working a bit better before doing some manipulation and recommending some simple stretching to start with, using a hot water bottle to get the blood flowing, etc. She recommended my next session be in a few days and I was booked in for the Friday. Unfortunately this physio was on leave on the Friday but she said I'd be fine with one of her colleagues.
When I arrived for my next session there was some discussion between staff about "swapping sessions" - turns out they were referring to me and I ended up with a different physio from the one I'd booked with. The session started late (30 minute session) and I was then left with my shoulder under a heat lamp for a further 10 minutes. The physio then returned, checked my movements, did a little manupulation and showed me a couple of exercises. He seemd very negative in pointing out the lack of movement in my bad shoulder, re-iterated the "stages" of frozen shoulder and the long time each stage could take, saying he wanted to set my expectations. He said he saw little point in me coming too often for sessions - totally the opposite of what the original physion had said. After the negative way he spoke, I really felt as if I was wasting my time - and his! After months of pain and lack of sleep I was feeling rather fragile - I've done enough research into the condition to know not to expect an overnight cure but at least thought I was doing something positive. He burst that bubble and left me feeling distraught. Not wanting to show myself up infront of him, I managed to keep myself composed and managed to make it back to my car before bursting into tears.
My hubby was furious and said I should complain to both the clinic and Bupa - after all, the treatment is being paid for. I do have an appointment in a weeks time with the original physio, who seemed nice - but I'd be very uncomfortable about going back to that practice, if I'd complained about one of her colleagues. Meanwhile I have also been reading about the Niel-Asher Technique (NAT) and found a clinic not too far away who have physios trained in this and am wondering if this might be worth a try. Bupa originally authorised 5 physio sessions but said they'd consider more, if needed. As I've already used up 2, I'm wondering if it is better to change at this stage or if I might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire! Any experience of conventional physio vs the Niel-Asher Technique would be particualrly welcome. Any other tips on managing this condition would also be welcome.
Thanks in advance for any advice, Maria
0 likes, 28 replies
acrdpt maria58274
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I really hope you feel better soon and you find a really supportive doctor to help you on this journey
joann61795 acrdpt
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joann61795 acrdpt
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Jay91157 joann61795
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grahame87245 maria58274
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Its a bloody awful condition which I dont think anyone can understand unless they have had it.
Eventually I had surgery. I am following this with quite aggresive physio and am getting a reasonable range of movement. The gut wrenching pain when I knocked my arm has gone. Still have some pain in my arm but this is improving as I get a bit of muscle tone back. I think as other people say, there are lots of different opinions on treatment. I have suggested this before but I think its worth repeating. The chap that did my op, has a website The London Upper Limb Unit.
Have a look through and see his opinion on when to do physio. Its working for me. Good luck
Jay91157 maria58274
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Best Wishes
alison44235 maria58274
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Dec. 28th 2014. had to go privately in the end had hydrodilation on May 18th. No pain for 5 weeks. increased movement in arm so could get back to driving, sewing and cycling. The pain did come back a bit. I can live with it now and have accepted it as it does not stop me from doing the things I enjoy. I am surprised you have not been offered this. I live near York and the Nuffield is marvellous there. I am going to be signed off on Nov. 10th by my physio and see how it goes. I might have more hydrodialtion if needed, but at the moment I can cope and hope it will get a lot better in time. I still have to do exercises but not quite so often. I hope this helps.
lynn20183 maria58274
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mentalpause maria58274
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You have my total sympathy and empathy. It is an excrutiatingly painful and debilitating condition. I started with one Physio who was very nice but seemed very unsure of my condition - I came out of his office crying twice. I decided to go to another one that I knew of and he sent me for xrays and ultrasound before he would touch me. This told him what he needed to know so he could plan the right treatment. I had severe bursitis, tendinitis and a torn tendon so I was given a steroid injection into the bursa and no physio until this settled after about 3 weeks. The Physio was very gentle and totally understood my condition. He discouraged me from taking pain killers unless I absolutely needed to which I did for a few months. He worked very slowly - I was going to him fortnightly for a couple of months, then monthly and now approximately 1 year on I haven't seen him since July and have been off pain killers since mid year. I go back to the Physio next week. I am so much better than this time last year. He is confident I will be back to normal but he did explain it will take time. I do my exercises daily and try not to overuse the affected arm. Your condition may be different than mine. I would encourage you to seek further advice - ask for scans and x-rays - it hurts but may help. Good Luck
frozen_stiff maria58274
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Frozen Stiff
maria58274
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The assesment of the male physio might have been correct - but his negative attitude ans approach was not. I'm not expecting any overnight cures and know already there are different approaches to how best to treat this - scaring patients off and sending them off in tears doesn't figure high in this. He also wasted half of a 30 minute treatment which after all, even with Bupa, we are paying for. I'll see what this new guy suggests and let you know how I get on.
mentalpause maria58274
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alison44235 maria58274
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Jay91157 alison44235
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Sophie232 maria58274
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