Hydrodilatation - my experience
Posted , 76 users are following.
I've decided to start another thread on here to document my experiences with Hyrodilatation (also spelled Hydrodilation or known as Arthrographic Distension) and how well it works for me over the next few weeks or so.
A brief background, in case anyone didn't read my original thread. I started with odd pains in my shoulder in spring, this year, with no apparant cause and I assumed I'd just pulled a muscle or something like that and hoped it would go away on it's own. It got worse over the summer and I also started to lose movement. I had the usual excrutiating pain on knocks or jerks and aches right down my arm. Pain, lack of sleep and loss of movement finally drove me to the GP in September where I was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder. I managed to seek physiotherapy with Bupa (or I'd still be on the NHS waiting list) and was recommended by a physio to see a consultant with a view to Hydrodilatation.
I had my Hydrodilatation this afternoon - 14th December. A few hours on and I'm feeling fine. I was very nervous but the procedure itself went well and took 15-20 minutes in total. I'd worn a vest top, which meant I didn't need to wear a gown and just dropped my straps off my bad shoulder. I was asked to lie on my front, with a pillow for support. I'd thought the procedure was done via x-ray guidance but it was in fact ultrasound guided. The doctor explained what was about to happen and did an initial scan of my shoulder area before giving me a local anaesthetic. He then put in the needle for the hydrodilatation, which administered first some cortisone and then saline. He said I might feel some pushing and to let him know if it became painful. There was some discomfort but I wouldn't describe it as painful and within a few minutes, he said the saline had started to leak out of the joint and the procedure was over. He did another scan and checked my movement before and after - there was perhaps a couple of degrees improvement but nothing drastic. I left the hospital with a plaster on my shoulder and feeling fine. He said I might experience a bit of aching once the local anaesthetic wears off but the cortisone should kick in within a day or two and should improve things pain-wise.
Physiotherapy is recommended within a few days of the procedure and I have an appointment with the physio on Friday morning and another to see the consultant again in about 6 weeks. So far, so good but it remains to be seen how sucessful it has been in improving pain and getting my movement back. I can currently lift my arm about 90 degrees in front, slightly less at the side and very little behind my back.
I will document my progress over the next few days and weeks, for anyone else considering this treatment. Hope this information is of help to someone and fingers crossed that the procedure works for me!
8 likes, 220 replies
krishnan2691 maria58274
Posted
However, I was a bit anxious since someone informed me that it would be very highly painful for a few days after taking the cortisone shots.
After reading of your experience, I am going to try it.
sharyn_34048 krishnan2691
Posted
If you are considering a hydrodilatation and your shoulder is still quite painful. Well in my experience, the procedure will be excruciating.
I would recommend to speak with your Gp to see if a hospital does the procedure under light sedation. This would guarantee that the full 35ml of saline and cortisone has been injected into the joint and to avoid any extreme pain.
I had an excruciating experience with a hydrodilatation but I only had the frozen shoulder for 3 months. The shoulder was still very sore before I had it done.
Good luck with your decision but I would never have a hydrodilatation without being sedated.
elaine93514 sharyn_34048
Posted
I agree...I had my procedure done in May this year...3 yrs ago I had it in my opposite shoulder.
Very painful for the time it took & I dnt feels its been as successful as the previous.
Wish I was put under tbh because it was painful even though they tell you a sedative has been put in the injection.
Still cannot put my arm behind my back though I can raise it high....guess Il have to keep up with the exercises & take it from there.
moira61832 elaine93514
Posted
Hi Everyone
I went back to the hospital yesterday and have to have a second hydrodilitation as the first did not fully work. I am told the next one will be far less painful and should release the whole shoulder so here's hoping! I see a senior consultant physio who is brilliant but this condition goes on for ever !!!!
Good luck
Moira
maria58274 moira61832
Posted
Sorry to hear of those who had a painful experience with hydrodilatation. I had my second one (on the other shoulder) a month ago now and can assure you that neither was painful - a little discomfort but that is all. This time I'd gone much earlier, as I recognised the symptoms and didn't want to go through months of pain and stiffness, as I did last time. Both the consultant and radiologist, who did the treatment, were confident that early treamment should help stop the shoulder getting any worse. It was still in the freezing stage and not fully frozen - I couldn't sleep on that side and I was having difficulty (and pain) trying to fasten my bra, put up my hair, etc.
Since the second procedure I'm feeling great. I can now sleep on that side, I have most of my movement back and no pain. I have had a couple of physio sessions and all seems well. I'm really pleased I went for early treatment and hopeful that this will be the end of it.
My treament was done guided by ultrasound and the needle went in the back of the shoulder joint. I asked the radiologist why some people find it painful and he said that (apart from simply difference in people) some put the needle in the front of the shoulder - especially when guided by xray - and this can be more painful. He said they stopped doing that some time ago. Good luck tho those still suffering and I hope your experience with hydrodilatation is as good as mine.
elaine93514 maria58274
Posted
Well that is intetesting to read. I have had FS in both shoulders & each time the injection has been through the front.
Both were painful & this time I do not feel its worked as good as the last procedure 3 yrs ago.
Most of the movement is back but Im not able to put my arm behind to do my bra etc.
I live in hope though.
elaine93514 moira61832
Posted
Oh such a shame it did not work for you...I too feel the same. Had my procedure in May but it does not feel released fully.
I was told that some ppl recover fully some not.
Iv been discharged & feel like Iv been abandoned whilst Im still experiencing some pain.
Am I being ridiculous in feeling that way.
lyn123xmas elaine93514
Posted
When i had the hydrodialtion je told ne me ro do the excersizes every 20 mins for 2 weeks
Im exhausted
elaine93514 lyn123xmas
Posted
That sounds so excessive...no wonder ur worn out.
I was doing my routines 3 times a day then twice..Im now down to once a day.
Are you seeing a physio as well as doing the exercises.
I find its way too much myself!
Overdoing it could make it worse I feel.
Please speak to your physio/doctor & explain how worn out you are...I would be too...
maria58274 lyn123xmas
Posted
What part of the world are you in UK, US or elsewhere? I ask because there do ssometimes seem to be differences of opinion in terms of physio beweeen the two - but either way this seems ridiculously excessive!
Are you sure you didn't misunderstand - I've looked at several sites recommending certain excercises to do after hydrodilatation - most say do your excercises 3 times a day - they go onto decribe each excercise and say do around 20 repetitions of each excercise. I'd urge you to slow down - I'm certain you're overdoing it!
lyn123xmas elaine93514
Posted
I got home from work and flaked out
lyn123xmas maria58274
Posted
Im in uk
maria58274 lyn123xmas
Posted
I'm positive you should mot be excercising every 20 minutes - I'm sure there must have been a misunderstanding - it seems generally accepted to advise excercise 3 times a day- perhaps he said excercise for 20 minutes?
maria58274 lyn123xmas
Posted
Google "excercise after hydrodilatation" - you'll find several UK posts, including a YouTube video produced by Newcastle hospital (in the first few listings) - one of the first things said is "do these excercises 3 times a day". Did he mis-speak or you mis-hear 3 times a an hour for 3 times a day?
lyn123xmas maria58274
Posted
elaine93514 lyn123xmas
Posted
I must say I find that way too much. I did 5 different exercises ....repeating them at least 3 times each 3 times a day.
You will be worn out & can overdo it.
Take a break...
kathy1641973 maria58274
Posted
Hi, Where did you have it done?
I have been suffering frozen shoulder for six months. At first, I was told I had bicep tendinitis and bursitis. I had three cortisone injections that were of no help at all. (I later am told, these did not help as it was not bursisitis.) I was on all sorts of medication for the pain. I was getting sick of my own complaining and was in tears more often than not.
I was then referred to a specialist who diagnosed me with severe frozen shoulder, I had surgery that day. I am now five weeks post surgery. The pain has improved, but no improvement in movement. I am very limited in movement, can't do my hair, bra, lift a up to my mouth etc. I have never experienced anything so painful and debilitating. I am now booked in to have hydrodilatation done on Monday with either Franks Burke or Cheryl Bass, who are the founders of this procedure I believe. I am anxiously looking forward to the possibility of having some improvement in pain and/or movement, but am extremely nervous of the pain involved with the procedure. The regular cortisone injections did not bother me in the slightest and I am hoping this will not be as bad as what I imagine!
karen41605 kathy1641973
Posted
Hi Kathy
I had the procedure (hydrodialation) a couple of months ago at the Alexander in cheadle. It was the best thing I ever did the actual procedure did not hurt at all, the numbing needles were stingy but quickly done.
The pain went away and I could sleep on my frozen shoulder side. I also had more movement instantly,then over the next 4 weeks with physio it greatly improved. I still have physio as I'm about 3/4 of the way there 9 months after my bteak.Before the hydro I couldn't put my hair up open a cupboard eat/drink properly,I was really restricted.My frozen shoulder started because I broke my shoulder in a couple of places and had no movement for 8 weeks to keep stable. I had 6 months of pain and no movement, I could not have the hydro straight away due to 3/4 of my bone being internally bruised. I would recomend this procedure 100% as frozen shoulder is the most painful thing I've ever had. Let us know how you get on and good luck x
kathy1641973 karen41605
Posted
Hi Karen,
I had the hydrodialation done on Monday, today is Wednesday. I have slightly more movement and am still in some pain and can't sleep on that shoulder. The procedure was painless..PHEW! I was very anxious, and surprisingly I felt next to nothing.
My frozen shoulder was not due to anything specific, it just started hurting one day, and got progressively worse. I am to go back to my physio after 5 days which I am also nervous about, as each time I went after the surgery it was very painful at the time and for days after. I am hoping over the next few days that things will improve some more. Fingers crossed! I agree Frozen shoulder is the most painful thing I have endured!
CynCash karen41605
Posted
Now I was just diagnosed with FS in right shoulder, and my ortho is recommending hydrodialation. Did they do yours with an ultrasound guide and from the front or the back? Thanks!