Frozen shoulder
Posted , 8 users are following.
so today I have officially been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder, been referred for urgent hydrodilitation as I have had severe movement restriction for nearly 7 months now, originally diagnosed with rotator cuff injury then subsequently tendonopathy and bursitis following an ultra sound scan, had an ultra sound guided cortisone injection 4 weeks ago with no improvement at all. The pain improved slightly but has now returned with avengence, I forgot to ask how quickly I should expect the movement to return and what the down time after treatment generally is, I would be very grateful for information about this from anyone who has experienced it.
i feel all consumed with this debilatative condition as I sure many of you do, Im just really willing this treatment to be a success.
0 likes, 9 replies
paul_65670 jackie98217
Posted
Hi , I had a frozen left shoulder last year with a stiffness that began in May 16 ,thought to be rotator cuff injury. It took 3 months to get a definitive diagnosis following an MRI scan. By then I had extremely limited movement and intense pain in the shoulder, sore back muscles between both shoulders , pains down my arm, with referred pains in my wrist and hand. I really know how you feel !!. I had my hydrodilitation in October 16 The hydrodilitation itself was a little painful but not too bad, immediately afterwards I did feel slightly feignt but this passed after about 10mins. Over the next few hours I felt ok , however over the following 2days the pain increased dramatically and I was forced to take strong painkillers for the next 48 hrs , I’m told this is due to the stretching of the joint capsule. Over the next 2 weeks the pain began to subside initially from the procedure then from the frozen shoulder too. At 6 weeks I was left with hardly any pain , but very little improvement in movement, if I tried to increase my movement, I would still get pain. I saw my specialist at this point, he was very pleased with progress, said the procedure had worked and that I would only improve from now on. He was right, by December, I had forgotten I had a frozen shoulder, there was no pain, however I still had a restricted range of movement, but it had improved by at least 30%. During Jan/Feb 17 most of my movement returned and by April 17 I was playing tennis with it. I would say pretty much 95% of my movement returned.
Following on from here, this August , when swimming I noticed I had the early signs of frozen shoulder in my other (right) shoulder. I saw my specialist, had an MRi in September, was diagnosed this October ( he said about 10% of patients end up with both being frozen) and I had a second hydrodilitation last week 10th Oct. This time the pain from the procedure was less (I’m told because it was less frozen as I was diagnosed earlier and the joint capsule didn’t have do be stretched so much) however, this time I was recommended to take both paracetamol and Ibuprofen at the correct intervals for the first 48hrs to get any pain under control before it happens. After 4 days, I had very little pain when the arm is at rest, but it hurts if I move it beyond my limited range. During days 5 and 6 I had stopped the pain killers and the pain had returned , intense pain, particularly at night, even when I’m not moving the arm. I’m currently taking stronger painkillers at night to help me sleep, but tolerating the pain during the day, because after last years experience, I expect this pain to reduce dramatically in the next 2 weeks. I totally understand how you feel, I can assure you there is hope, my experience of my 1st hydrodilitation was very positive and I’m hoping this 2nd one will be the same. I can recommend getting a regular back and shoulder massage while you are suffering, this goes a long way towards releasing the surrounding muscles which tend to become sore and spasmed while your shoulder is frozen. Good luck I’m sure the treatment will help greatly.
jackie98217 paul_65670
Posted
Hi Paul
Gosh it sounds like you have been through it... I had 10 weeks of sports physio prior to my first attendance to the GP as I had changed my excersise regime and started doing Crossfit, just thought it was an injury related to the training, like you the pain throughout that has been unbearable and all the way down to my wrist, it's my right shoulder at present but I scarily have had niggles in my left shoulder which seem to have subsided, fingers crossed it stays that way, I just feel very frustrated with the diagnostic process I guess, where you offered rehabilitative physio post treatment Paul?? Where you slightly worried about excercise post treatment? I definitely am although I would really like to return to it at some point.
It sounds like you have had a really tuff time which I can completely sympathise with, it sounds like you have had a relatively positive out come. I wish you luck with your recovery from your right shoulder.
Msyiy jackie98217
Posted
No change.
First night home was in agony. Sleepless in n ibuprofen and codeine.
Next day called ambulance did to crushing chest pains.
The after care is rubbish. So much info to take in. No leaflet.
I was given Physio exercises. Still no change. Am lost. Tracking this thread for any ideas.
jackie98217 Msyiy
Posted
Hi,
I'm so sorry to hear that your treatment has not been successful, I have read that it works for 70%of people but clearly through reading people's experiences on this forum, it's no quick fix like I had expected, I think I will lower my expectations. Have you now been offered an alternate treatment? I was advised that I could have manipulation under anaesthetic or a slight shaving of the bone if the hydrodilitation was unsuccessful. I really hope you get some help soon, it makes you feel so debilitated by the restrictions it imposes on you and so miserable because of the pain. I really do sympathise with you. Good luck for the future, I will post my experience once I have the treatment.
jd08dev jackie98217
Posted
Hi Jackie, I’m so sorry to hear about your suffering. I have FS in both shoulders 1 st stage right nearer complete freezing than left. Coincidentally I am about to go out or buy a poncho as I am fed up having extreme pain putting Coat on.
I’ve found a great website which may help lu-lu.co.uk Would love to hear your views on it. I have found Pregablin to be the only drug which takes the pain down to bearable levels, but make you drowsy and a bit nutty.
TammyR jackie98217
Posted
Does anyone have an issue with an extremely swollen and painful biceps? When I am resting, my pain is in the biceps, forearm, wrist, and hand. But, not in the shoulder during rest. It is a constant pain, and often times hard to cope.
jd08dev TammyR
Posted
Hope that enlightens you to the extent of the pain, trying to be descriptive.
jackie98217 TammyR
Posted
The bicep and forearm pain is exactly how mine started too, it was constant and unbearable, I was told by a physio at that time to have time off work to rest the joint but at that time they thought I had a rotator cuff injury, I reluctantly had 2 weeks off, on returning to work everything got much much worse, the forward arm extension became so painful, any attempts to rotate my arm sideways or backwards was unbearable, I really struggled at work but then unfortunately tripped up the stairs at home , I put my arm out to break the fall without thinking and the pain again in my bicep was indescribable, and any jolt or sudden movement to my arm gives the same pain,
Have you been given a treatment plan Tammy?
jackie98217 jd08dev
Posted
Hi
I actually don't know how you are coping with this awful condition in both arms!!!i have found is so debilitating and all consuming with just my right arm, I hope you manage to get some help soon .