Anyone recover from Frozen Shoulder without surgery?

Posted , 5 users are following.

I’ve had FS since April. Did cortisone and PT. The injection took most of the really horrible pain away but I’m still stuck and a bit stiff. I do my own exercises daily. I backed out of MUA because I’m afraid of complications and also I can’t handle all the meds I’ll need after procedure due to a stomach condition.  I’m just curious if anyone has recovered without medical intervention as I have read on many sites that this condition will eventually resolve on its own, or otherwise known as thawing. Thank you.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    I’m having MUA on Monday. 

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

  • Posted

    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.

  • Posted

    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.  

  • Posted

    Wow thank you so much for sharing your experiences. It’s giving me hope that this will end someday.  So one more question, does the shoulder come back slowly or do you wake up one day and all of a sudden have more range of motion? I’m really curious how this freezing resolved itself. Thank you again!
    • Posted

      Hi there. The thawing is the third and final stage and yes it is a gradual process I'm afraid. You will find you have next to no pain and you are able to stretch a little further each week. I was in each stage for 4 months.

    • Posted

      Great to hear that thawing is not an awful process. I can only hope I’ll be entering that stage soon as it’s been since about the middle of April this year when it all started with the pain, so nearly 6 months. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. 
  • Posted

    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..

    • Posted

      Ok so this is a drawn out process to get range of motion back.  I’ve only had two cortisone shots in 6 months. I too have heard it’s not good to keep having them. My shoulder pain has decreased substantially. I no longer bang and get those zingers that bring me to my knees in pain. At this juncture I’m just stuck. I can hold my arm straight out in front of me but no higher. As for sideways, that’s a bit more difficult but if I wedge my knee under my elbow, I can manage to shave my armpit in the bathtub lol! Only just! That sideways rotational motion seems to be the most frustrating.  As far as sleeping, I sleep on my right and drape my frozen left arm over the pillow. It’s either that or sleep flat which I really don’t care for. 

      As for the MUA, I tend to agree, it’s best to let your body decide when this is over instead of trying to force it.  It’s just frustrating sometimes trying to clean house among other things. It’s a comfort to hear that I’m not the only one choosing to live with this. Thank you for the advice, I truly appreciate it.  I hope you’re better soon too.

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