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Not Sure if Frozen Shoulder or Rotator Cuff tear - HELP ADVICE

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angela02390
angela02390

I had a level 4 ac separation which went back ... they are now saying they suspect I have Frozen Shoulder - though not sure! Do have some mobility my main problem is limited movement cannot go past 90 degrees ... Get shooting pains sometimes down my arm and aches in my deltoid or shoulder blade region ...

Trouble is I've read that a lot of things are confused with Frozen Shoulder such as Rotator Cuff tears etc ... though had MRI and showed loss of ligaments and some tear but still consultants going down the FS route.

I have seen a private specialist now as NHS is making me think I've gone made and got some pain problem ... rather than realising it hurts when I do anything so limiting and not just a random pain condition. 

Am considering a hydrodistension but not sure if painful and how successful and if it can cause any problem if it is not a frozen shoulder?

Just wondered whether anyone gets pain if they say open a car door then go for a walk round town whether then symptoms of pain in arm and shoulder blade normal ? as sometimes hunch over as pain too much from doing very little in all honesty sad  Any help would be much appreciated

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • christine64637
    christine64637 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi there, I can't really help with a diagnosis but just wanted to say that if you do need hydrodistension, it is nothing to worry about. I had it a few months ago. I was quaking as I entered the room because I had read tales of being in agony during the procedure. In the event, it didn't hurt at all. The hardest thing was keeping my arm still as the fingers twitched involuntarily while the fluid went in - odd! The radiologist put in loads of local anaesthetic and you obviously feel those injections but not even as bad as the dentist. Everyone is different but from my experience please don't be anxious if your consultant recommends it.

  • christine75909
    christine75909 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    I can't advise on Frozen shoulder somebody else might be along who can however what you are describing is exactly the symptoms I had with RC tear.

    It is only now 4 months post surgey that I can open/close car door and walk around without serious pain.

    I hope you get a diagnosis soon as waiting and pain is very debilitaing.

    I have to say I cannot fault NHS with my own care they have been truly excellent.

    Good luck

    • angela02390
      angela02390 christine75909

      Posted

      Thank you I read so much and keep thinking it is rc tear as acriohumeral distance is down to 5mm

      Though states otherwise rc is otherwise intact the ugh no definite focal rotator cuff tear identified.

      Did your MRI show the tear Christine and also did it hurt after you walked for any period of time ?

      Many thanks for any info you can provide smile just want to be sorted x

  • christine75909
    christine75909 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    I didn't have an MRI, I had ultra sound. It was a big tear, I could see it on the screen!

    It hurt whatever I did and certainly walking around as my arm was hanging. It got to the point before surgery where I had very little strength in it although still had some movement.

    Sorry what I can tell you is specific to my experience hope someone else can advise on frozen shoulder as I have no idea. During recovery I lived in fear of getting FS as already in considerable pain and could not imagine prolonging it. Think this is what drove me on in PT.

    One piece of advice for further down the line, when it is sorted and I am sure it will be, following treatment your Physio is your very best friend, hope you get a good one.

    • angela02390
      angela02390 christine75909

      Posted

      Christine,

      Thank you I am sure it is a rotator cuff tear ... but being misled I think as stated one consultant adamant it is and one adamant it isn't which doesn't help sad  Though being advised to have the hydrodistension which is rotator cuff tear won't help sad so hence my trying to get right diagnosis which is proving more difficult than one can imagine sad

      Can I also ask did you get shooting pains down your arms sometimes and couldn't raise arm properly past 90 degrees? 

      Sorry to bombard you just trying to gleen information from an actual person rather than just publications smile

      Warm regards

      Angie

  • christine75909
    christine75909 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    Yes that sounds like me prior to surgery. The pains stopped me using my hand and compromised my strength. All this resulted in overusing left arm....now have a ear on that one.

    Cheers

  • richella_40978
    richella_40978 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi. I had a rotator cuff tear repaired last April. My MRI showed a torn labrum, but when I had the surgery, apparently, it was a torn rotator cuff. So you can't always go by what those images show. Although, if it shows a tear, more than likely something is torn." Shoulders, especially rotator cuff tears" take a long time to heal. And initially it's quite painful. I absolutely had pain into my bicep, almost the worst pain of all, as well as some shooting pain down into my elbow and hand. I actually still have some occasional pain. But SO much better. Still building strength in that arm. Best wishes to you.

  • richella_40978
    richella_40978 angela02390

    Posted

    Hi. I had a rotator cuff tear repaired last April. My MRI showed a torn labrum, but when I had the surgery, apparently, it was a torn rotator cuff. So you can't always go by what those images show. Although, if it shows a tear, more than likely something is torn." Shoulders, especially rotator cuff tears" take a long time to heal. And initially it's quite painful. I absolutely had pain into my bicep, almost the worst pain of all, as well as some shooting pain down into my elbow and hand. I actually still have some occasional pain. But SO much better. Still building strength in that arm. Best wishes to you. Also, I had so much pain before that I had a hard time sleeping. A Recliner was my friend.

  • Bloodnut_100
    Bloodnut_100 angela02390

    Posted

    I have just had operation for frozen shoulder , I couldn't open a car door lift anything put a jumper on with out the top part of my arm hurting what I call the shoulder didn't Hurt it was the as said top part of my arm I was left far to long before treatment if I'd have known then what I know now I would insist on seeing someone earlier to get sorted as the op should only be a last resort go back to your doctor and insist on being seen even demand it I wouldn't want you to go through the op like I've had to

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