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Arthroscopic Capsular Release Surgery for Frozen Shoulder

Posted , 31 users are following.

themagicpanda
themagicpanda

Anyone out there had this surgery?  After suffering for a considerable time, missing the stage for injection I have surgery in a few days. I'm interested to hear others experiences post surgery, particularly around pain/mobility and return to work.

Thansk in advance, Mandy

0 likes, 107 replies

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  • theresa8833
    theresa8833 themagicpanda

    Posted

    HI all, I'm new to this board and searching desperately for help. In January I dislocated my shoulder and fractured the humeral head ( bankart lesion with a hill-Sachs fracture). I had surgery in early February to repair a labral tear from 3:00-6:00 with 4 clips. I was immobilized for 6 weeks. I knew very early my pain and stiffness were out of proportion for normal. I had MUA and arthroscopic release of my frozen shoulder in early April and I still have almost constant pain and while my range of motion is improved, it is still quite limited. Has anyone else had a failed release? How long does it take to improve? 

    • linda37283
      linda37283 theresa8833

      Posted

      Hi Theresa8833, Yes I needed further MUA 6weeks post original surgery......It worked the second time smile I've since suffered a 2nd fs to my other shoulder and again needed surgery and again a repeat MUA 6weeks later.........awful awful condition - I still do not have 100% range of movements with this 2nd one but 100% with first one. My 2nd fs surgery orininally was in back late in Oct 2016 with repeat mua early Dec........ still have pain but nothing compared to what it was........ Hope this has helped? Good luck with your long fs journey - you will see light at the end of the tunnel its just a very long tunnel  sad

      Linda.

    • LessrTuberosity
      LessrTuberosity theresa8833

      Posted

      Hi Theresa, I had almost the same thing as you. You are really lucky to have had a release done 3 months after your first surgery. I had to wait 8 months knowing I was so stiff... and even after my release I am still without external rotation 5.5 months later. I am now facing a repeat capsular release which will be surgery number 4 in a total of 14 months. I'm in Canada. Where are you? My labral tear was 2-4 o'clock, with reverse hill Sachs lesion. I broke off the lesser tuberosity and tore the subscapularis tendon. I couldn't reach the top of my head for five months. Now I have amazing rom in all directions, except zero external rotation with arm at the side. I can say that the real pain at rest throughout the day for me finally went away between week 16-19 and this was the same for all my surgeries. 

    • theresa8833
      theresa8833 LessrTuberosity

      Posted

      Hi,  I'm WV, US. I recently did a course of high dose steroids as FS is thought to be autoimmune. That almost completely eliminated my pain and for the first time In 4 months, I can get my arm behind my back. I'm currently at about 80% but decreasing the pain has improved my mood drastically! 

  • purl28406
    purl28406 themagicpanda

    Posted

    Having Capsular release weds 3rd May. Just hope outcome is positive having read of so many problems. This is my last opportunity to have at least one arm as close to normal as possible. Fed up with pain and limited movement. 

     

    • purl28406
      purl28406 theresa8833

      Posted

      No ,due to Insulin dependence / affect steroids have on Diabetes had two injections with short term relief. GP not keen on giving me strong painkillers had used Codeine 30mg for moderate occasional relief. Will not prescribe anything until after operation. I have been told to phone . 
    • theresa8833
      theresa8833 purl28406

      Posted

      That's does complicate it. Perhaps if your a1c is good you can just cover the high sugars for awhile and do the  steroid pulse dose. Best of luck. 

    • purl28406
      purl28406 theresa8833

      Posted

      Thanks Theresa can you please tell me what 'the steroid pulse dose' is ? 

       

    • theresa8833
      theresa8833 purl28406

      Posted

      It's typically a 5-7 day course of oral steroids. It treats the underlying autoimmune component of FS. As long as your sugars are fairly controlled and you have rapid acting nsulin to treat high sugars from the steroid, you can usually safely take a short course (pulse dose) of steroids. 

    • purl28406
      purl28406 theresa8833

      Posted

      Thank you, maybe my gp or consultant at hospital on weds after AR  would agree, I am using insulin pump found with steroid injections with hydrodilation needed to double all basel n bolus doses for 6-7 days. 
    • purl28406
      purl28406

      Posted

      Now had AR went well initial pain several days started exercises. 2 physio appointments movement getting arm up and out to side and up much better rotation little difference, no movement upwards behind back. However discomfort much better, now only slight discomfort. After exercises worse but cold compress helps. Also warm compress b4 helps movement. So far pleased with outcome, steroid was injected too. No regrets re AR. 
  • ali42615
    ali42615 themagicpanda

    Posted

    Hello to fellow fs sufferers. I'm 2 yrs post op and can do anything. I never thought that I'd ever say that I was pain free again. It's all consuming and no one understands the cycle of pain and no sleep. It's a downward spiral and nothing prepares you for it. Get creative with how you can manage. Remote control plugs to prevent bending, ask someone to loosen lids on milk, shampoo etc, ladies- wear slip on bras! Manage painkillers carefully, so that you don't end up in agony. Be persistent with GP s and consultants. Agony is not acceptable. Insist on an X-ray before steroid injections. Check what needs treating first. Hot wheat bag before exercise and ice afterwards. You can do this! It won't last forever! ???👏👏👏👏👏

    • purl28406
      purl28406 ali42615

      Posted

      Did you have capsular release and how quickly did backward movement return, feeling little change so far doing physio several times a day? Finding difficulty dressing  bra and zips etc at back of clothing . I know I'm possibly impatient but did it take months or year/s?

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