Frozen shoulders

Hi Sandra,

I'm not a doctor and urge you to see an orthopedic surgeon. The following I did upon the advice of an orthopedic surgeon:

I'm writing because long ago I suffered terrible pain from a frozen shoulder. I looked around for answers and commiseration because the pain was excruciating.

I found ice (a frozen wet wash cloth or two can be molded around the shoulder) to be a wonderful help. Before I went to a doctor, this helped me get to sleep.

I had a doctor who recommended an exercise: pretend you are holding a bowling ball with your thumb facing forwards and rotate your arm at the shoulder by swinging your arm forward and up and around. Then follow that motion by scratching the front of your shoulder with the hand that just did the rotation (this completes the exercise, then repeat two more times with the effected arm). Afterwards, ice for 15 minutes. (The "scratching motion" helps relieve the pain you just caused the joint for some odd reason.)

This was really hard. I was told that I could do these exercises and break the scar tissue that had formed in my shoulder or I could have surgery (the surgeon would put me under general anesthetic then rotate my arm in it's joint, ripping the scar tissue for me and freeing my shoulder). This sounded terrible. I knew I could power through the pain if it was to avoid surgery. I tried several times and just couldn't get my arm higher than my shoulder without screaming (not an option with worried kids in the home). I realized a wet shower wall might help give me some leverage and support, so I stood near the wet tile wall and pretended to bowl. It took a few days to get my arm up a little higher. The warm water was helpful and probably distracting. Eventually I got my arm up to the highest point I could, but had to stand away from the wall...finally after a few more days of gritting and baring (yes, I just said that 😉 I was able to stand closer and closer to the wall.)

Please consult with a doctor before attempting this exercise as the reason for your frozen shoulders may be different than mine and your doctor will have knowledge I cannot possibly have.

I hope you feel better soon!

-Chris

I know it's difficult to believe and hard to understand this condition. But, you will slowly, day by day, start feeling better.

My right shoulder is affected, as well as the muscles on the same side of my neck. Although I'm still in pain, it's at least, bearable now. Everything I read said to give it time. But, when you're in constant pain with little to no sleep, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing I say will help to ease your pain or make it go away.

But, please try to be patient. It WILL get better in time.

Thank you. only today i seem to have more movment in my arms. my Boss will have to be patient with me.

Sandra -- Welcome and bless your heart. FS in both shoulders at the same time is nightmarish. You should be giving advice to us!!Check out Frosty's helpful tips thread. Lots and lots of fantastic advice from those who are actually suffering and what actually works. Sadly, there is no quick fix for FS, so management is the best you can do until it gets better on its own. I will say that there is evidence that extreme exercise can exacerbate the inflammation, but other than that, pick and choose your own course of action. For me, I'm on my second FS, and for the first one, I did everything I could to make it go away faster, to no avail. This one, I've just eased it along, and, while it had followed the same timeline (freezing/ frozen/ thawing), I've had substantially less pain. I'm in the thawing stage, so I'm out of the worst part. You didn't mention what stage you're in, and your course of action could change if you've gotten stuck in one of them, so read up. You are your best advocate. Good luck!! We understand.