Arthroscopic Capsular Release Surgery for Frozen Shoulder

Thank you for your reply Ali.  I'd love to say I'm much better but the tingling in my fingers is still there.  The physio said it's a nerve trapped by a muscle and should ease in time.  A week later and it's not much improved.  I still don't have the full range of movement with my shoulder but I'm keeping up the excersises and hopefully in time it'll be fine. 

Hi ali,

I have a frozen hip from 4 years ago. I had surgery capsular release, 3 months ago but I still very frozen, wondering how it was with you? How long it take you to have your rotation back? I know yours was in shoulder.

Do I still have hope or this means my surgery disnt work???

Thanks a lot I would be looking for your replay.

Many blessings to you, seems like you are doing fine.

Oliveria, I'm sorry to hear that you're still struggling. After my first operation, no amount of physio or exercise was going to improve my rotation. Sadly, I had to face the fact that I needed repeat surgery. They didn't need to do arthroscopic again, as they tried M u a first and we're happy with the results. The following day, my shoulder was practically pain free and moving more freely. 2 yrs on and my arm & shoulder are much improved. Only very cold weather causes a full ache. Perhaps you need to see the surgeon/ consultant to discuss the lack of movement. That's how I was sorted. Wishing you good results.

Hi Ali, thanks a lot for your prompt replay and sorry to bother you once again. How long after your surgery you realize didnt work and you had the MUA??

Thanks a lot!!!

Are you doing great now or how is going for you???

Hi Oliveria I knew almost as soon as my block had worn off and the excersises I had been given to do plus intensive physio that I would need further mua!! I just could not progress with any of the excersises! My arm just would not move    First shoulder I had 2nd mua 7weeks after initial surgery and exactly the same amount of time with my 2nd shoulder.........its been 10weeks now since 2nd mua on this 2nd fs & I'm very dissapointed to say I'm still in quite a bit of pain & that my movements are not improving as they should dispite intensive physio   The surgeon has told me he will only inject my shoulder and not take me back to theatre for further mua    I'm so upset by it  My first fs 2years ago was much much better at this stage..........sorry I'm not sure this is of any help to you   fs sucks big time  

Hi Linda, thanks a lot for your nice replay. Im not sure yet if mine worked, some days I feel is moving and the following day freeze up again. Im almost positive that is moving but very very little and slowly. I will let you know.

I wish people can post the feelings of thawing, did you have any pain while thawing???

Any info is of great help and hope for adhesive capsulitis sufferers.

Thank you Linda and I hope the very best for you, hopefully will resolve in no time.

Many blessings to you!!!

hi, yes I too am interested in the 'thawing' part.

Sick of the pain and not sure what tage I am in or wha step to take. even read it can overcome by itself??? 

I had frozen shoulder 8 years ago left arm treated with all options steroid physio then manipulation under anaesthetic capsules release planned but not done. Took 4-5 years to regain most movement

. Now rt shoulder frozen- again all treatments including hydrodilation x2 but too painful so stopped. More physio private osteopathic treatment too. But now due capsular release suffered nearly 1 1/2 years now.  Limited movement pain when arm moved beyond stiffness. Hoping for quicker recovery than with left shoulder (arm still weak after 8 years.) Told I also have arthritis and I have type 1 Diabetes too.

Gosh sounds worrying. You should ensure you speak to consultant re current situation explanation. 

Yes you need to see your consultant and get him to review you.......that sounds like rubbish what the physio has told you! It can't be psychological!!

I agree with the other respondants, you should get advice from your consultant.  I had capsular release about 6 months ago, and for the first week or two my range of movement had increased only slightly.  Taking it any firther was quite painful.  However, my physio gave me some gentle home exercises to do which I stuck to and now my mobility is up to about 95% of normal.  Of course they could lift your arm all the way above your head whilst you were still under anasthesia!  It would be excuciating / impossible to do it immediately after the nerve block wore off.  Your muscles and tendons need time (several months in my case) to regain their strength and suppleness after the operation and range of movement slowly returns.   The release is only the first step.  Trying to push your arm beyond mild pain limit is pointless and counterproductive.  Your pain is certainly not psychological.  I would try a different PT if possible.  I had an NHS PT andhe was very good.

Great advice Richard!

Hi, Richard is right, dont allow anyone that never suffer this condition to tell you is psychological, is the most frustrating situation. You are in the most awful pain can ever exist, and here is someone that doesnt have a clue, doubting you.

Have patience, I had my capsular release in my hip 5 months ago, and slowly is coming back to normal. I still dont have exterior rotation and total flexion but I feel is coming along. I hope I can see the day that Im out of this nightmare.

After the surgery my hip had a little more movement but after few days went back to what it was before.

Im going to swimming pool and hut tub every day to do some movement and is way less painful and after 3 months you start seeing some changes.

This is my advice otherwise going physio without water is plain hell.

Jump in a hot tub for 20 min to lose up the muscles, tendons, etc then jump in swimming pool to do some more movement and go back to hut tub for stretching one more time.

All my best wishes to you!!!

Good advice I'm a bit worried that frozen shoulder may be slow work (following previous unsuccessful attempts )op in May  but off to spain in June  so use of water / sea/ pool sounds like a good idea.

I had a similar experience. I was told they achieved full range of motion under anesthesia but my pain is still horrible and my shoulder is still stuck (although less so). Please update the board to let me know how you do. 

read about neuroinhibition and the autoimmune component of FS. I did high dose steroids, fired my physical therapist and started yoga.  It was literally the moment the cloud started to lift. 

Thank you for this suggestion- will research neuroinhibition and autoimmunity in FS.  My PT puts firm pressure on my "Anterior Glide" to encourage my humerus to "glide" back into the joint, but it feels like he is just putting his thumb on a bone and pressing down on it.  My right shoulder is physically higher than the left since surgery, so it sounds like I have an anterior/superior migration  (ie: failed shoulder surgery).  They say that they see this all the time and it eventually works out once strength builds up and my neurological "unlearning" of my raised shoulder/guarding position relearns a new pathway and "remembers" to stay down.  The operative report says that they were only able to release the adhesive capsulitis from 11 o'clock to 7 o'clock, which leaves 3/4 un-released.  (said it was unsafe to cut anywhere else since "it was too small of a space".  I'm trying not to give up hope.  I knew this would take time, but the pain/sleep losss/ etc is getting to me I think 

Also, Thanks to all the previous replies--as you know that busy healing schedule keeps me away from the computer sometimes.  I agree that it seems strange to think that the only reason I can't raise my arm is psychological!!!  Laughable really!