How far does the tighness extend with a frozen shoulder?
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi, I found this community online, hopefully at a good time. I turned 50 in December 2020, was feeling great about me... until I woke up one morning in Feb 2021 and couldn't move my right arm. I had excruciating pain and it got worse in the months ahead. I was diagnosed with frozen shoulder in April 2021 by an Orthopedic specialist after bearing extreme pain and loss of mobility in my right arm. I am currently experiencing more stiffness in my shoulder than pain currently, and seem to be in the frozen stage. However, the stiffness gets worse during the nights when I fall asleep and I feel the tightness across my chest. This week I started feeling the tightness in my neck, jaw also and there's even numbness going down to my legs by early mornings. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this tightness of chest/neck/jaw and numbness of legs too?
I am beginning to panic. Any advice? Thank you.
0 likes, 4 replies
colin1964 ria03557
Edited
hi ria
welcome to the FS gang. its a git isn't it. i can vouch for the shoulder neck chest. generally all around the shoulder area. with me all the muscles go into spasm on and off.
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they tightened up, locked up, ached and had strops. posted a lot on here and never herd about the legs that's a new one..
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mine are both frozen in the later stages and have never gone to the legs. shoulder blades and mid back was my limit.
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pester the ortho about hydro dilatation to the joint. it does not hurt. in the whole scheme of FS pain. google the procedure it really helps. it is instant pain relief and it helps the muscles recover from going i to spasm as you are more relaxed.
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keep positive and stay strong as its a long battle.
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most important look after the other shoulder. do not over use it like me and have both go down on you. this has put me through hell and back ( post 10 weeks ACR). that was 400 + hours home physio. 50 physio sessions. 3000mg pain relief and 10 weeks off work.
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still fighting the war on the joint so you have to stay positive it really helps. KEEP ON BADGERING THE ORTHO SURGEON. its the only way to get some where.
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a great purchase was an aircast cryo cuff with a motor( ic) model. it kills the pain instant while on and it delicious. beats any pain killers.
colin
ria03557 colin1964
Posted
Hi Colin
Thanks so much for your feedback and the tips. Today I saw the Ortho surgeon again and he confirmed much of what you've said about the chest and shoulder spasms. He said that the numbness down the leg could be a separate issue, and will continue to monitor it. I used a muscle relaxant last night and it helped with the spasms.
I've had 3 PT sessions with a new therapist in the past week who used combined therapy (massage, stretch exercises, TENs machine, acupuncture & vibration). It felt like a lot in 3 sessions but I actually have a bit more mobility raising my arm up some more...I could comb my hair now...I'm counting the small victories as they come.
Thankfully the pain is much less since these sessions so I'm looking fwd to the next one.
I truly appreciate your encouragement and advice, and wish you a healthy and positive recovery.
colin1964 ria03557
Posted
hi ria
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thanks for the reply. does not happen much on here now . also MET is a good one for the PT to try on you . that expands the range of motion to the joint.
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another one for me that held the muscles was sport taping around the joint. lots of tan lines with that.
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me i am back from the ortho surgeon as well. more holes. another guided injection to the joint. and a guided one to the bicep tendon.
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keep up the positive mind
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colin
colin1964 ria03557
Posted
hi ria
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its the small victories that help. glad you are responding to treatment. i am sitting waiting to go into the torture chamber as i write. ho sorry i mean physio lol.
still keep on stretching And pushing the joint.
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i found a set of stretches from " sheffield hospital in the uk" google shoulder protocols post op for shoulder. they are easy slidy ( no such word)one and not aggressive put you can push the joint. and yes if you set if a zingger change the resistance.
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these 8 exercises helped me keep my joint free from scaring up again. i had to do these through the night to stop the post op ache.
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how has it been for the past month . i know it a lonely thing to have . it a personal hell.
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also look after the other shoulder. you will be over using it. dont let that fail as
well. look after it.
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me i am doing ultrasound then deep tissue massage then movement and posture due to muscle atrophy in the shoulder area.
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the injections took again freeing me up to start healing again. and i only got charged £125
c