Frozen shoulder
Posted , 5 users are following.
Has anyone experienced frozen shoulder any thoughts? It's been a little over 5 weeks since I had my shoulder surgery. I've been going to physical therapy and it's been going along just fine. Still feeling pain in my shoulder on and off not as bad as in the beginning. I still don't have full range of motion in my right arm. It hurts like hell if I try to reach behind my head or my back. And the PT told me today if I don't get better motion in my arm that it could end up with frozen shoulder, yikes! It'll be 6 weeks on Friday since my surgery I'm kinda scared, do I have reason to be scared? Is this normal or does it take longer to get better, just wondering. I'll be following up with my doctor on Thur I'll ask him see what he says.
0 likes, 13 replies
christine75909 claudia96851
Posted
What surgery did you have? From your description you would appear to be doing well. I had rotar cuff and other work and did not have the range of movements you are describing. However as I said dependant on what kind of surgery.
Christine
claudia96851 christine75909
Posted
Hi Christine,
I had rotator cuff surgery and some work on my bicep tendon. But what was thought to be a tear in my rotator cuff ended up being calcium build up so the doctor just cleared it out. I have improved in movement but at this stage after almost 6 weeks I should have more movement. Like doing the simplest things like my hair hurts because I can't reach up that far. Can't even reach behind my back hurts like hell. When the physical therapy works on my I'm in so much pain. So needless to say I'm just concerned that I may end up with frozen shoulder. I will follow up with the doc on Thursday and know more. I just wanted to know if anyone has had this issue
christine75909 claudia96851
Posted
From your description I would not be overly concerned at this point. You have some movement, work on maintaining that. I was at least eight weeks post surgery before I could even attempt to get my arm behind my back/near my head and according to my physio I was ahead of the game!
See your Doc and carry on with physio, maybe take pain meds before but if it continues to be that painful I would be looking for another PT.
There are far more knowledgable people on this forum who I am sure will be along to give more advice.
Take care
C
claudia96851 christine75909
Posted
ricochetred claudia96851
Posted
I am 8.5 weeks out from similar surgery and am a PT. I just started working on getting arm behind back at 8 weeks and it is painful. Today I got the back of my hand to the small of my back. I got a pony tail into my hair painfully at 7 weeks. It sounds like you are doing well. Everyone progresses at a different pace and your exercises are supposed to be done to your tolerance and not instigate or increase pain. That is not to say you won't feel discomfort while performing exercises....but if the pain/discomfort does not go away within a short period of time after performing exercises, then you probably pushed too hard. don't let the therapist scare you into thinking you will get "frozen shoulder." You are not expected to have full range of motion by 5 weeks. Many people are still in a sling at 6 weeks.
claudia96851 ricochetred
Posted
Thanks much appreciated it's just so frustrating. I'm not sleeping well don't have much of an appetite, who knows what that's about. But thanks I needed to hear that from someone. My PT is good just a little heavy handed. When I complain that it hurts she tells me she don't mean to hurt me but if we don't get movement in the shoulder then I could end up with frozen shoulder forever! Ugh which is why I was concerned.
ricochetred claudia96851
Posted
sleep is definitely affected by this surgery. When I came out of the sling I started having more pain at night...probaby because I move the arm in a way that I should not...or try to roll on that side (because I used to sleep on that side)...or my cat sits on the shoulder. Also, if you are taking any narcotics, they can mess with your appetite. I am already on the light side...was 99# at day of surgery...and have had to force myself to eat. My appetite improved a little when the sling came off...maybe cause it was easier to eat at that point. Now I'm up to 102#. When eating/food prep is a struggle, you kind of lose your appetite. Making myself get out to walk and hike also helped with having a better appetite. Be easy on yoruself. Things will get better.
claudia96851 ricochetred
Posted
richella_40978 claudia96851
Posted
Hi. I think you are worrying a bit prematurely. Shoulders take a long time to heal. Don't be too hard on yourself. However, it is really important to do your therapy and exercises faithfully. I had rotator cuff, spurs and an acromioplasty almost a year ago. I still feel pain at various times. I can hook my bra and put my pony tails in, but I find if I'm leaning on my arm my shoulder will start aching. Swimming hurts, but i can do it. Sometimes various sleeping positions will cause me some aching. However, I think I'm probably a lot older than you.
I should work on various strengthening exercises but dont. Just stay faithful. I also had 2 different therapists and found that massage was very beneficial to me as well. Good luck! You will do well.
claudia96851 richella_40978
Posted
Hi Richella thanks for the feedback first off I'm 51 can't deny it 😬lol but it is what it is. I can't explain my lack of appetite it's weird. I'm not on the meds the doctor gave me at the beginning boy they were strong did the job though. But the doc said if my pain is tolerable, which it has, to not take those meds and instead take Tylenol extra strength which is what I've been doing. But seems like each time I go to physical therapy it hurts more. So I guess maybe I should still take the other meds I don't know. I think I just need something to help me sleep through the night. I keep waking up on and off so frustrating. I'll definitely speak to the doctor about it. Thanks again
richella_40978 claudia96851
Posted
henpen1980 claudia96851
Posted
Hello, I dislocated my shoulder suffering a "massive" tear i.e. three of the rotator cuff muscle tendons from a spectacular fall. Surgery and screws were needed to reattach two of the muscle tendons to the humeral head. The third is healing independently. I am doing okay 10 weeks out of the surgery.
I am however behind progress-wise of the typical recovery pace but understandable due to the severity of the damages and the bicep tendon.
I went to see the specialist last Tuesday. I asked a lot of questions and showed the specialist my concerns (sleeveless shirt) demonstrating my left (injured) to the right. My biggest issue has been the extreme pain in the bicep tendon. The bicep tendon was not torn in the injury, but it has been very tight and very painful prohibiting movement. Call it stressed, strained, compensating, and protecting everything from more injury. When my PT works on my shoulder, the bicep tendon area is a red hot coal, searing pain. This issue has been since the day of the injury (14 weeks ago). My PT's (a very good PT) work started causing extreme pain and discomfort along the clavicle. The pain and associated swelling along the clavicle/shoulder/neck brought back sleepless nights, restless days. I stopped PT for one day until I saw the specialist. I shared all of this with the specialist.
The specialist is very good but young (2016 grad). He has been with me since the injury 12/26 (ER). The specialist also pulled in his older more experienced colleagues to consult (since 12/26). Anyhow, He/they suggested and ultimately used a lidocaine/cortisone combo injected into the sheath of the bicep tendon during my appointment.
The specialist used an ultrasound machine to find the tendon and inject the combo with precision. The lidocaine reduced the pain, and the cortisone has been doing wonders, loosening up the bicep tendon. I am not pain-free, but I have increased movement of my shoulder after the injection. Not 100% but improved. Have you had this particular injection combo in the area?
ricochetred henpen1980
Posted
I was given the injection of lidocaine and cortisone in my rotator shoulder (posterior) before I decided on surgery. My range improved and pain decreased significantly although strength was not coming back 100%. after 10 days so surgery was scheduled. the Dr was recommending repair as soon as he saw the MRI due to extent of damage. I am 9 weeks out from RC and bicep tenodesis and SA decompresion. I also had a bad MTB fall. When your injury is the result of fall you need to consider the parts of the injury that may still be healing that were not altered surgically. Oftentimes, therapists/Dr's will only focus on the surgery site and healing of said tissue and forget that it's connected to other pathology areas. Sounds like you did not have procedure done to the biceps. My biceps has been my problem area...although it was not a problem area prior to surgery. It seems to be what's holding up the show. But typically after having a cortisone shot you should be gently with the injuscted area as you want to promote healing and not cause more damage by pushing too hard. Use cold a lot. Try not to compare your progress with others because everyone has a different mechanism of injury and different surgical procedures. You probably have tissure that is still recovering from the original injury.