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Frozen shoulder operation imminent ...... Nervous!!

Posted , 8 users are following.

sara17045
sara17045

hi all you frozen shoulder sufferers..... I'm in a quandary, I've had an FS since February two injection one being cortisone the other hydraulition about a month ago. The pain has reduced drastically but! The shoulder still pretty stuck, keeps me awake at times and can't ly on that side. Consultant has recommended surgery now to unstick it!! Yelp never had an op before and scared but wondering how successful is it. Would appreciate your views. Thanks and all ears xx

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • ann75691
    ann75691 sara17045

    Posted

    Hi, I had manipulation under anaesthetic in May! Wasn't as bad as I expected although I was having extreme pain before hand so anything was better!

    Wasn't completely successful but surgeon said in follow up appointment that he didn't expect it to be as it was very bad!

    Had physio every day for 5 weeks and still have it every other day with lots of exercises to do inbetween.

    I'm sure I wouldn't be this far forward without the surgery and physio. I've still got a way to go with some movements but getting there.

    Good luck with it.

    Ps great Facebook page frozen shoulder friends. Loads of support on there.

  • terry74787
    terry74787 sara17045

    Posted

    I had orthoscopic surgery on one shoulder. The second shoulder I just waited it out with pain pills and a RENs/WMS portable unit at home. I had that thing on a lot but avoided surgery. Truthfully I was glad I didn't do the surgery the second time around. The rehab is awful. 
    • terry74787
      terry74787

      Posted

      Should have typed TENS or EMS unit .. Portable ... You can get them on line. Auto correct stinks!
  • robin81176
    robin81176 sara17045

    Posted

    Sarah,

    I had a sever case of frozen shoulder as a result of limited mobility from being in an upper body removable 'cast' after a car accident caused my T6 vertebrea to be crushed.

    I let it go for a long time because I thought it was another issue that I was previously able to work out on my own and not wanting to go through yet another treatment...especially surgery. (I had 2 other surgeries after my back, within 9 months, due to findings they found when I was brought into the trauma unit).

    Finally...over 1 year later and the realization that the physio I was doing was not working I spoke to my Dr about it.

    Even on the strong pain meds I was taking due to the injury from the accident (there was other damage caused in the accident such as 4 broken ribs, broken ankle, nerve damage to the left foot which will never recover and a concussion from a large gash to the right side of my head) the pain was horrendous, as you well understand, I could not sleep, if I barely touch a wall going around a corner I bent over and cried out in agonizing pain. I could not lift my arm more than a few inches and not at all in the movement towards my back.

    My Dr thought it may be additional nerve injury related due to my spinal cord damage from the accident so he ordered a nerve sensation test...the result was conclusive that I had severe frozen shoulder and was referred to an orthopedic surgeons.

    Due to the severity the surgeon suggested surgery right out of the gate. He stated that the severity of my case warranted surgery because steriods, besides being bad for me as I am a type 2 diabetic, would not come close enough to make the pain of physical therapy bearable and suggested to do both manual manipulation under Anesthesia and to release the scar tissue by doing arthroscopic surgery at the same time...for maximum release and recovery.

    I didn't hesitate...the pain was so unbearable I scheduled surgery for 1 week later.

    I was in physical therapy immediately after surgery and 2 x's a day for a week after that, daily for 3 weeks after that and then 3 x's a week until release after that.

    It has been 18 months and I have 90% of my movement back and pain has most all gone away except for minor aches but those occur rarely.

    I would NOT HESITATE to do it again if I had to.

    **IMPORTANT ** You can never stop working the movement of the shoulder once released from therapy. It can come back and can move to the other srm and you are much more susceptible once you have had it.

    Do the therapy at home daily every day....I still do even 18 mths later and will continue for the rest of my life. It will never hurt to do it but can have severe consequences such as return of FS if not.

    Good Luck on your decision and recovery and let us know what you decide and your results of recovery no matter what option you choose.

  • vernice89097
    vernice89097 sara17045

    Posted

    Hi

    had a frozen shoulder 9years ago due to a fall from a horse. Paid to have a Mua after 6momths of messing. The best thing I could have done. They fill the joint full of aesthetic so you can't feel the pain when you wake up.

    Now have a frozen shoulder from a fall skiing were I broke the top of my arm. I will be insisting on Mua.worth it 

    • Jay91157
      Jay91157 vernice89097

      Posted

      HI Vernice, May I ask how much your MUA cost? Just I may need to pay soon as insurance issues. 
  • samantha91871
    samantha91871 sara17045

    Posted

    Sarah, I'd be worried about surgery.  The shoulder will thaw itself, may take up to 2 years or physio and exercise would help.  if you have little pain now I would try exercises.  Injections havnt helped with my pain so you are lucky yours worked.

    I always look at surgery as a last resort.  

  • Jay91157
    Jay91157 sara17045

    Posted

    HI, I have had frozen shoulde since Oct 2012. Have had arthroscopic surgery, Mua, spinal injection and steroid injection. Seen consultant in the last few days as the pain stops me typing for long periods. He has suggested an ultra sound, to see what seems to be catching in the shoulder. I have had enless MRI scans, ultra sounds and xrays and here I am nearly 3 years on  and still suffering. I would try anything if it is interfereing in you day to day life. What works for one does not another. MUA is ok. My arm was paralised when I woke up and lasted for 24hours. This was to help with the pain. Go with what feels right for you. 
    • terry74787
      terry74787 Jay91157

      Posted

      Jay it sounds like something else might be going on as well. Can you consult a Physiatrist? My problem was also with my shoulder not functioning correctly. Are you also having neck problems. Can you have some examine your shoulder mechanics when you move?
    • Jay91157
      Jay91157 terry74787

      Posted

      I am thinking that also Terry. I went bowling and the next day was in so much pain that got worse. Eventually after MRI was told I had trapped nerve in C6,of which the surgeion did guided spinal injection. Loads of osteo treatment, followed by shoulder surgeon who did the suregery as mentioned. He did remove a bone spur and said that he had a good clean up. 6mths later MUA Oct 2014. Steroid injection end of Jan 2015 and now an untra soudn in a coupe of weeks. The pain is worse when i move the arm forward, even to lifting a cup of tea or moving the arm across the body. Typing after about an hour and I have to give up as the pain travels down the arm, and a deep pain is in the lower arm region. Mentioned it to consultant last week and he said it was my C5 trapping but did not suggest anything. Ultra sound is to see if anything is trapping while rotaing my arm. I do have a rotatr cuff tear but is small and not really enought to operate. Unless this has got worse. My job is typing and I have my company chasing about going back. I detect they are not happy so my job is at stake, but what can I do. Not sure the doc will sign me off any longer as its been 6mths now. But if I go back and then tell them I need more surgery I think they will do what they can to get shot of me. Easty to do just make like difficult. Stress I do not need. All my treatment is private, via a company health insurance so I am wanting this sorted incase they pull the shutters on me. 
    • terry74787
      terry74787 Jay91157

      Posted

      Bowling? If you have a shoulder or neck or both problem, bowling may not be a good choice. When you have pain you start using your arm and body differently. When you do that some muscles get weak and this changes a lot of your body's mechanics. I would keep looking for a doctor who is a great diagnostician and can refer you to a good physical therapist. I know it's hard to find these people but the longer your body is out of whack the harder it is to get it fixed. Muscles get shorter, etc.
    • Jay91157
      Jay91157 terry74787

      Posted

      Bowling was a team build at work back in Oct2012due to a lady not mixing well. She actually did not turn up for the event.  The bowling went on for nealry 2.5hours. Yes I was fed up, but felt I had no choice as  it was seen as an extension of my job.I am aware I have been counter balancing my body to compensate for the pain. My  Osteo was brilliant but at £50 for 30 min it got too costly and I parted with best part of £2k. I have also paid some of my private cover when the pot became empty just to keep me going. NHS were not interested and told me I just had pain back in Oct2012. I will see what the ultra sound shows next week and go form there. Thanks for your advise it really helps when people have experienced the same. 
    • robin81176
      robin81176 Jay91157

      Posted

      Jay...sorry to hear of all of your troubles.

      I am in the US and not sure how things work in the UK...but when I was diagnosed they did a nerve check on me. I originally thought it was rotator cuff, which I had before and worked out on my own before using physical therapy moves my general family physician gave me. With my previous Rotator Cuff injury It took about 6 months of working it on my own and I was ok...so I knew something was up when 6 months later this time the only change for my current issue was worse...much worse.

      I had just been in a car accident and broke my back and have permanant nerve damage leading to my foot so my family doctor thought, as I did, it was nerve related damage and ordered a nerve test...this test puts small needles in the areas to be tested and sends electronic pulses to the nerves to test reaction...this is the test that confirmed it was Frozen Shoulder (FS) that was caused from being in the upper body restraint during my back surgery recovery causing limited movement in my shoulder.

      In my case the by the time I was properly diagnosed (I was properly diagnosed by my doctor after the 1st test he ordered...the only reason so long was because I improperly diagnosed myself as rotator cuff and tried to correct on my own) the pain was so bad I could not move my arm more than a couple of inches up or to the right or left and no movement at all to the back. I could not lift anything of any real weight more than a pound or 2. If I would walk around a doorway or wall and accidentally touch my arm or shoulder to it I would bend over in agony and actually verbally scream in pain and cry. I could not sleep in any position by the end.

      I had a MUA and Arthroscopy surgery at the same time, did my 1st physical therapy a few hours after my surgery and then did physical therapy 2x's a day for 1 week, 1 time a day for 3 weeks and 3 times a week for 3 more weeks ... my last 3 weeks I was back to work and took time during off hours to do my physical therapy.

      I agree that further testing needs done. It would be hard for me to think you could move or lift a bowling ball with FS ... not saying if in early stages that it may be able to occur.

      Not sure how things work in UK but asking for a nerve test may be an option to rule out or rule in Nerve Damage and FS.

      Good Luck ... hopefully your company sticks by you for a little while longer. I was lucky...within 1 year I was out for a total of just under 6 months between the back surgery, another surgery to take care of an Ovarian Cyst they found when I was admitted to the trauma team at the time of my accident and for the Frozen Shoulder and my company stood by me the entire time...of course I have also been with them 25 years so I had 6 months of full pay on short term disability built up but they were great!!

    • terry74787
      terry74787 Jay91157

      Posted

      So sorry. Afraid we in the U.S. are headed for the same kind of medical care as well. Good wishes.
  • linda37283
    linda37283 sara17045

    Posted

    Hi my frozen shoulder started July 2014, came out of the blue - no injury no accident just started with a pain at the top of my arm like I had had an injection top of my arm. The ache and pain worsened and it woke me at night. G.P was spot on saying it was a frozen shoulder - never heard of it!! Xray was clear but ultra sound did show fs sad Doctor offered me cortisone injection which I refused - unaware at how bad it would get. So I googled it! Then I went for accipuncture which didnt help at all............The pain and sleep deprivation made me depressed. So G.P referred me to shoulder specialist - still no pain killers stopped the pain. Triage doctor said I was to far gone for cortisone injection anyway sad

    Sooooo to cut a very long story short I went for surgery and had a bit of the bone shaved off and capsular release. Physio said I had to be careful how I excersised and couldn't go at it 'hammer and tongue" lol - it got no better and continued to freeze so I had to have further manipulation under anaesthetic - best thing I ever did!!!!! Pain gradually diminished and my movements are slowly coming back smile

    I still cannot do my bra up sad  but I can now drive again, after 8months!!!! My shoulder aches when it rains or if its a bit chilly outside. I've continued to excersise for the last 3months and I'm petrified that my other shoulder may become frozen! Soooooo its taken 1year but I'm so grateful that my consultant took the decision to operate. During those awful painful nights I contemplated suicide - it got that bad sad  constant unrelenting pain wore me completley down and I never want to experience that ever again.

    I have a very supportive husband and family and I'm so very grateful for putting up with me during this vile condition - they say it can take up to 3years for this condition to clear up on its own - there is no way I could have lived with this for that long! Thank god for surgery!!!!! There is light at the end of the tunnel it just takes soooo long so go for surgery smile 

    Sorry to bore everyone. Don't worry about the surgery, close your eyes go to sleep and when you wake up you can begin to get your life back smile

    Sending you all gentle hugs and wishing you all speedy recoveries smile

    Linda xxxx

    • ann75691
      ann75691 linda37283

      Posted

      Sounds like you've had an awful time!

      Mine started before November last year but ignored it thinking it would go away.

      Saw Dr and started physio in Feburary due to trapped nerve! Had an MUA in May as pain was so bad, was on maximum strength and variety of painkillers with no effect and as you say, many a time thought I couldn't go on any longer!

      MUA was only partially successful due to state of shoulder but was mainly done for pain control! Pain was still bad after but not like the before pain.

      Had physio every day for 5 weeks and still having it every other day to cope with all the compensatory problems it's given me!

      Still got a way to go but I'm sure the whole thing has been sped up with treatment. I know a lot of people leave nature takes its course but I just couldn't cope!

      I'm very paranoid about it coming in other shoulder which starting aching 3 weeks ago!

      Glad there's light at end of tunnel for everyone.

      Fingers crossed that's the end for you!

    • linda37283
      linda37283 ann75691

      Posted

      I'm just so amazed that medics don't understand much on this vile condition - it is 2015 after all smile lol.

      My second mua was on 19th April and as I've said I am still excersising trying to get back as much movement as possible. My arm is still very weak - I still have problems lifting the kettle!!! I'm right handed and my fs affected my right shoulder sad but at least that awful drop down to my knees pain has gone!! It's been raining today and my shoulder has been aching +++ but I can cope with that smile 

      I'm also paranoid about my other shoulder! I now take cod liver oil caps, vit D tabs and calcium tabs daily! 

      I hope you continue to improve smile

      Best wishes xxx

       

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