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Frozen shoulder - choices of treatment

Posted , 53 users are following.

jillgrace
jillgrace

I first noticed the symptoms of FS about 4 months ago - it seemed to come out of the blue for no reason at all. Just as mystifying was what should I do about it - do I go to a physio, GP, acupuncturist, osteopath, chiropractor - or am I better off doing nothing at all?!!

After doing some research, I decided my best course of action would be to go to an osteopath. However, what I would advise other sufferers is to be aware that this can be a very, very long process and can end up costing you a fortune!!

They gave me twice-weekly appointments at the beginning which I didn't mind paying for as I wanted to get myself cured as soon as possible.

The appointments involved gentle manipulation and she would give me exercises to do at home. My arm is gradually getting some small amount of movement back (although my practititioner did say that this was largely due to my hard work at sticking to the exercises) and the pain has diminished (although from what I understand this is part of the disease process and is probably nothing to do with the osteopath!)

In retrospect, I am glad that I sought treatment with an osteopath, but in my naivety I had not realised what a long process it would be and how much it would cost. I am still going to sessions but, at my request, I have staggered the appointments so that they are further apart.

I am now getting pains in the other side and unless I win the lottery, I feel that I couldn't possibly afford to go through it all again!!

2 likes, 221 replies

221 Replies

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  • candace513
    candace513 jillgrace

    Posted

    I too went to therapy for about a month. It helped very little and I couldn't afford to keep going. Once you know the excercises you can do it all yourself. I also purchased a tens unit off amazon that has become my best friend. During times that the pain starts up I just put those patches on and let the machine take the pain away. I wouldn't want to be without it! My FS started the beginning of this year so I still have possible to years to go. The only up side for me is I don't work, but I can't style my hair so I look like a bag lady while feeling like crap! This is not how I envisioned my "golden years".
  • April_in_Paris
    April_in_Paris jillgrace

    Posted

    Hi everyone

    I have posted here previously and hope my experience will be of help.  Last November 2013 (after moving house), my left shoulder began displaying symptoms of frozen shoulder and became very painful, followed shortly after by my right shoulder.  I was pretty desperate, not sleeping, very limited range of movement on both sides making everyday tasks very difficult.

    I went to see a consultant privately (after having visited the doctor and taking physiotherapy which didnt help) - I did my research first and saw a guy who specialised in shoulder problems.  He obviously knew all about frozen shoulder syndrome and advised me that surgery would bring immediate relief, followed by intense physio to keep the shoulders free.

    After a lot of research, I decided not to go down the invasive surgery route and to just let things be and wait and see, and just try and cope with the symptoms as best I could.

    Now, a year later, I can say that my shoulders gradually improved month by month and I now have full range of movement in my left shoulder and almost full range in my right.  I didnt do any specific exercises, or have any therapy, I just rested them as much as possible.Things which I took for granted before the frozen shoulders developed, like washing my hair in the shower, resting my arm out of an open car window, reaching up to shelves in the kitchen are now all possible again.

    So, in my experience, and if you can be patient, I would recommend not going down the surgery route or spending a lot of money on different treatments on offer - your shoulder will get better on its own in time.  Everyone is different with the length of time, but it WILL get better, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    Good luck to everyone suffering from this debilitating condition. 

    • jenny72949
      jenny72949 April_in_Paris

      Posted

      I was really interested to read your account &experience April. 

      I had MUA In  August 2014 in both shoulders -my r.h shoulder far more painfully advanced then my left.strangely my left shoulder is perfect no pain/full mobility but my right is really no better despite physio/acupuncture/deep tissue massage from sports therapist.

      which has made me conclude if got in the early stages MUA can work (however help not offered until in agony ) in my case my RH shoulder was too advanced and I should have let it run its course.

      I cannot stress enough how really painful & debilitating this whole process is -depressing just doesn't say it.

      im still taking painkillers..they really do help "tramadol" soo much better then bloody paracetamol /ibuprofen which you will be fobbed off with.

      my advise shout & scream stop being so bloody stoic and brave it's a really painful condition and we need help/sympathy

       

    • mymaude
      mymaude April_in_Paris

      Posted

      Hi April. So glad your on the better side. I absolutely agree with the 'don't do anything surgical' thing. I had hydrodilitation, against my better hjudgement, which didn't work and was agony. I was offered another go or MUA but declined and dealt with it myself. Unfortunately as I was just getting back to normal, after 14 months, I had an accident and sprung my collar bone on the same side and have had to have at op. I am praying it doesn't decide to refreeze. My other shoulder has been threateningfor some months but seems not be progressing too quickly or as painfully. Good luck in your recovery.
    • mamaelaine
      mamaelaine April_in_Paris

      Posted

      Thanks for your story, April. I am 4 months in with bilateral frozen shoulder. I just saw my second sports on Tuesday who suddenly decided it cannot poissibly be FS because he has never had a patient who had it in both shoulders at the same time. GRRR. I mean really. I know it is not common but I did my research and it happens. He was really quite rude and said I was in far too much pain for it to be FS and that it must be my fibromyalgia acting up because people with FS don't freeze to the level that I have. I thought I was moving my shoulders quite nicely actually. They hurt like all get out (right more that left but the left started first and I am right handed so I use it more) and I asked him what the diagnostic criteria was, he explained everything that I presented with. I said to him, so tell me again why you don't think it's FS now, he said, because you have it in both shoulders, that's just not possible.

      So frustrating. I had the blind cortisone shot and it did nothing so I think he was licking his wounds a little from that. I know it needs to just run it's course but I did want to try the cortisone under ultrasound guidance because i just want to have the use of one arm back or at least to be able to sleep on one side. He did agree to book that at least. Did you try the cortisone/ ultrasound route? How limited did your ROM become in the frozen stage. His thought was that I was already in frozen stage because I am not moving my arms very high. I can get them almost to shoulder level (left) but not quite that high on the right (it is still getting worse). He was very rude and said, "you don't move your shoulders at all now" I thought getting them up that high was pretty freaking good even though it brings tears to my eyes. I push it like crazy just because he ticked me off so bad. I just want to know how to plan so I can buy clothes for the frozen stage but if it's true and I am in the frozen stage-great-but given the level of pain I am still having I am highly doubtful. Any thoughts? thanks

       

    • candace513
      candace513 mamaelaine

      Posted

      I am 13 months into frozen shoulder on my right side. It was encouraged to go with surgery followed by intense therapy. However since my daughter would not agree to getting me to therapy I refused the surgery. I am glad I did now. I am on Medicare and the cost to me would have been prohibitive anyway. As the months go along I am able to do more and more with my right arm. I have found that resting it and applying heat have been the biggest help. I have not done any specific exercises or gone out of my way to extend it any more than is comfortable and it is progressing nicely. I am able to use that arm now to wash my hair and reaching the shelves I could not reach before. My range of motion is still limited and I am careful not to go outside on the ice or to fall in any way that might make it worse. I read once where this can last between two and a half to three years without treatment. I may never regain full use of this arm but at 62 I will be happy with whatever movement I regain. I wish everyone who has to endure this condition a speedy recovery. I don't know about others but my family had no patience with me nor any interest in helping me with this. It has been a long lonely journey and I am proud of the progress I have made on my own.
    • Oliveria
      Oliveria candace513

      Posted

      You are absolutely right. Is a very debilitating and painful but most of all sad and lonely condition. After few months people starts wondering if is a mental problem rather then physical. Is really frustrating, you really wish that the people around you could feel what your feeling, even if it would be just for few hours, so they can have an idea of your discomfort.

    • Oliveria
      Oliveria candace513

      Posted

      All the best to you Candace, seems like you are getting better already.

      Many blessings.

    • Oliveria
      Oliveria mamaelaine

      Posted

      Hi Mamaelaine,

      hard to believe in most doctors regarding adhesive capsulitis. Basically for this condition for the most part you are on your own.

      But all the best for you Mamaelaine, wish you a fast an miraculous recovery.

      Many blessings!!!

    • sue13512
      sue13512 Oliveria

      Posted

      Yes I agree.  No one ever asks anymore how I am doing.  It is an isolated condition.  I have it in both shoulders currently.  It is the worst thing I have ever gone through.  You never know when it is gonna get better.  I have had this since April 2014.  I cannot work, drive a car, get dressed by myself etc.sleeping is impossible.  Ugh!
    • sue13512
      sue13512 mamaelaine

      Posted

      I have it in both both shoulders now.  So it is possible.  I am severely depressed to say the least. I have been through all sorts of things such as pt, chiropractor , cortisone shots etc.  my surgeon said he could do manipulative surgery but nothing else.  Not a big fan of surgery.  So I went to have a neck message due to severe neck pain from neck muscles holding up both arms.  He worked on my shoulders and arms for 20 minutes.  It hurt but in a weird way it felt good.  My achey pain feeling has lessened.  I am taking Vicodin every day instead of 2x a day.  It feels a little better.  So I am going every week now for a 20 minute treatment.
    • mamaelaine
      mamaelaine sue13512

      Posted

      Hi Sue

      I feel for you and I get the depressed thing. Having this in two arms totally sucks because you can't sleep on either arm and sleep is so necessary. My dr is so stuck on the fact that since he's never had a patient with it in both shoulders it can't be FS even though it presents as exactly that. I felt like telling him to get his head out of his butt. I didn't dare tell him that I a am a former nurse and that I knew the results of my MRI showed that it was in fact adhesive capsulitis and that he has lied to me. GRRR. Anyway. I think I will give massage a try again. I had stopped going because I wasn't able to get on and off the table any more. I am still going to my chiropractor to help release my shoulders because they are so stiff from sleeping on my back and holding my arms in wierd positions at night. I am on the list to have the cortisone under ultrasound guidance but I am wondering if the jerky dr has even actually sent the consult through. Does you massage person have you sitting up for the massage?

    • Didi1958
      Didi1958 mamaelaine

      Posted

      Last year I had had a frozen shoulder for about 18mths before my GP referred me to the hospital for Hydrostatic Distension (saline injection in the shoulder). I couldn't raise my right arm above shoulder height when I entered and 10 minutes later I was pain free with complete movement. I've had no problems with that arm since. Unfortunately the telltale signs of pain in the forearm have started in my left arm recently. I would definitely recommend the treatment and will be requesting it again if this new occurrence follows the same course.
  • RooJr
    RooJr jillgrace

    Posted

    Has anyone tried hydrostatic distention? Simon Moyes at Wellington hospital in London has indicated this procedure provides excellent results. Two 15 min treatments two weeks apart. Google Simon Moyes Frozen shoulder for links.

     

  • cheryl95104
    cheryl95104 jillgrace

    Posted

    Hello fellow sufferers,

    I could cry reading all your stories, what an awful condition this is, I am amazed that there not more research carried out on this miserable thing.  I was diagnosed with FS in my left shoulder on 1st December after 2 months of pain in my arm that I thought was just muscle pain from gym work.  As the pain progressed the spasms started that made me want to cry.  I have a pretty high pain threshold, 2 babies no pain relief, but this was hell!  Finally saw an ortho surgeon privately who diagnosed FS.  Problem is now I have the beginnings of it in my right arm, same spasms on sharp movement, same throbbing pain, so am terrified it will freeze up as well.  Tried Neil Asher therapy to help with both, but have been in more pain since I started this, so not sure if it is good for me or not.  Today I have an appointment with an ortho surgeon who specialises in hydrodisention/distillitation in the hope that he can do something for me.  Scared witless about the whole thing, not looking forward to the needles, but the thought of living like this for a year is really getting me down.  Fed up of wearing elasticated trousers and huge tops, cant cope with bra straps, hair a mess, flabby body cant go to the gym, even walking makes everything hurt, sit huddled like a 90 year old under a blanket with a heat pad on my shoulders when I should be out enjoying life!  Anyway rant over.

    I will let you all know how I get on with the ortho visit and fingers crossed it will be something that actually helps us get some relief from this nightmare.

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