Anyone recover from Frozen Shoulder without surgery?

There are several groups on FB for dealing with FS. Check them out. I’ve found a lot of good info

Hi there.it sounds like you are well.on your way to recovery. I have had FS in both shoulders. It is the most awful condition but I did get out of it and I have almost full range of movement back. It all started back in 2015 and pretty much come from nowhere. I link it to hormones and stress. Anyway I went from extreme pain to being frozen in around 4 months and then to thawing in another 4 months with no surgical knife in sight. But let me tell.you I tried Everything from acupuncture; Tens machine, trigger point therapy and heat therapy. I learnt that the condition cannot be altered you have to go through the stages and manage each one the best you can. The second time around I was more in tune, I knew what to expect and more importantly I knew there was an end. I managed with paracetamol, my trusted Tens Machine and Heat Pad and some ibuprofen gel. I wouldn't (couldn't) put myself through an operation but I know many people who have on this site, everyone just needs to do what is best for them. There is no size fits all to this awful condition. I wish you well.

Briefly, I recovered from my first frozen shoulder with no treatment whatsoever (6 or 7 years ago) within a matter of months...I don't think from beginning to end I suffered for more than 6 months total.  I'm now 66 years old so am prepared for the current frozen shoulder to take more time to heal.  Like you, I'm restricting my treatment to cortisone (ultrasound guided injection) and gentle PT (now only on my own).  I've been telling myself that it may take up to 2 years or, perhaps, even a bit longer.  With the relief I've gotten from the cortisone along with ice and kratom for breakthrough pain I feel as if I can manage.  I searched Google Scholar and came across a 2011 study entitled: "The natural history of idiopathic frozen shoulder: a 2- to 27-year followup study" which concluded that "94% of patients with spontaneous frozen shoulder recovered to normal levels of function and motion without treatment." 

Since there really is no tried and true single method for healing frozen shoulder we are, as Cindy 45475 has indicated, left on our own to figure out which path we're going to take but sometimes it's helpful to know that others are walking along side us.  I wish you the best on your journey.  

I too have decided not to have the MUA. 

I am two years into FS. Hasn’t been easy, but it has improved. Everything with FS is slow, at least with me. Onset, freezing, and hopefully I’m starting to thaw. Still have pain, but not as intense as the Freezing stage. This is a Diabetic complication for me, so it is a little different and supposidly takes longer to heal than a regular FS, at least that is what the doctor tells me. 

I too had the cortisone shots, but was a double edged sword with me with the Diabetes. Cortisone raises blood sugar to a very high level and the body stops healing, so for me not so worth it. For you, it might help. (Don’t let them give you more than 4-5 cortisone shots in a year period. Look it up on [url=http://Drugs.com]Drugs.com.)

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow or pillows under your frozen arm? I have two down pillows that i use, really helps. Even just sitting on the couch..

Just remember, this takes time, don’t do anything that hurts while you are in the super painful stage aka freezing.  (like physical therapy. I made the mistake of PT too soon, while in the freezing stage and made my shoulder MUCH worse. Orthopedic doctor was upset with my family doctor for sending me to PT too soon. They all have different opinions it seems, so I simply listen to my body now and do what feels right to me. 

I very gently do some of doctor recommended exercises at home. I also go to the gym 3x a week for cardio. I got a fitness tracker watch and that has helped quiet a bit. I walk as much as possible, at least 12k-15K steps a day,  5-6 days a week. I think this has helped a lot as it’s kept my blood moving and… frankly gives me something to focus on that is positive. 

Hope you feel better..