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Hydrodilatation today for an alleged frozen shoulder

Posted , 7 users are following.

claire50742
claire50742

so, I had the injection today after 9 months of suffering with a frozen shoulder. Well, the doctor did the deed and when she had finished she said there was plenty of gas around the joint meaning I already had a full range of movement. She 'felt' as she injected the joint, that there was no adhesion? Go figure? Why can't I move my shoulder, furthermore, why have a been in excrutiating pain? Apparently it is all muscular? 

I feel I have been passed from pillar to post. I feel negative and angry, frustrated and fed up quite frankly?

Any thoughts?

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • maria58274
    maria58274 claire50742

    Posted

    I can imagine you feel angry and frustrated if you feel the injection hasn't worked.  You say gas - what did you get injected - was there any cortisone in the injection?  Occasionally, some people get a cortisone flare, when the cortisone crystallises and can cause pain.  This apparantly resolves after a couple of days, when it can start to do it's trick.  I have heard of hydrodilatation done with air rather than water and don't know why one is chosen over the other.  Mine was done with a mixture of saline and cortisone and it took a couple of days for the cortisone to kick in and my movement has come back gradually, not immediately afterwards.

    Are you sure she didn't mean she had managed to get lots of "gas" round the joint in the procedure and that should have freed up the adhesions?  I know I was so nervous that I misinterpreted something my doctor said to me.

    Give it a couple of days to let things settle down and if you have no pain relief, go back to see the doctor.  Good luck and I really hope things work out well for you Claire.  Let us know how you get on. x

     

    • claire50742
      claire50742 maria58274

      Posted

      Hi Maria,

      No, when she first looked at the ultrasound she said it was not a FS. She said it was not adhesive - there was plenty of gas in the joint. Then (and she was not very talkative or helpful if you get my drift) she just put the needle in, gave me a cortisone then flushed it through with saline. I honestly thought that it should be the other way round...but heck she wasn't the sort to argue with. She told me to get some massage, then she pulled it to one side and told me to go....

      I will remain positive but felt the need to vent as I had really put all my hope into this procedure today - I could have done with a more postive experience...

       

    • maria58274
      maria58274 claire50742

      Posted

      So sorry to hear this Claire.  If not a frozen shoulder, didn't she give any clues as to what it might be? Some doctors seem to lack not only a good bed-side manner but common courtesy and need to remember they are dealing with human beings - and often those in a fragile state. From what I've heard, frozen shoulder can often be mis-diagnosed but you need to know what you have got, to get the best treatment.  I can imagine you feel like you are back at square one!  Take care and let us know how you get on,
    • karen25221
      karen25221 claire50742

      Posted

      So sorry didnt go as well as you had hoped but how was it and how is it , ive got my hydro dilation tomorrow, freading it they tell me mines FS but im not convincrd as was told by 3 doctors its rotator cuff x but will see tomorrow x
  • teresa59318
    teresa59318 claire50742

    Posted

    I can hear the frustration in your words. I hope you get relief. I really do. Give it a little time and let us know. I'm hoping to have this treatment myself so am very interested. Keep your spirits up.
    • maria58274
      maria58274 teresa59318

      Posted

      Good luck with your treatment Teresa - hydrodilatation was successful in my case.
    • claire50742
      claire50742 maria58274

      Posted

      biggrin still remaining positive - just fed up with being given the run around. It didn't kill me but wasn't too painful. To anyone who is contemplating it, go for it. Not too bad to experience in any way... I was a proud bunny and very brave!!!! No local, just a needle and a doctor who needed a course in communication techniques!

      I will kep posting - thank you Maria and Teresa - I will certainly let you know how I progress. I am simply frustrated as she told me it is simply muscular .....? (REALLY mad)

  • Dorene
    Dorene claire50742

    Posted

    Dear 50742,

    I can only imagine the frustration and anger. I'm really sorry you are having this happen. This whole

    thing is new to me. I'm probably not the best one

    to advise, but I think if I were still suffering after an injection, told I didn't have frozen shoulder. I'd almost have to get a second opinion after 9 months of suffering. Let me know what. happens.

    Wishing you all the best.

    Dorene

    • claire50742
      claire50742 Dorene

      Posted

      Yes Dorene, I agree, I think I will be discussing this with my PT on Monday. He has said from the start that he believes it is nerve related, however he was reluctant to go against the Dr (apparently an ethic thing in the medical world). I think he is a wonderful, educated and wise Physio guy but as we tend to put our faith in technology (MRI, x-ray etc.) and view what we can see in black and white, I have become more and more confused as the months have passed!

      Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

       

  • terry74787
    terry74787 claire50742

    Posted

    If you are eating or drinking any man made sugars, try stopping them and see what happens to your pain. I had muscle spasms in my neck and shoulder for 4 years until I happened to see this side effect of Truvia aka Erythritol, and quit it. Spasms and pain were gone Ina matter of a few days. In the meantime, the spasms have caused a lot of residual damage and my scapula was pretty dysfunctional. But all is getting better with PT. good luck to you!
    • claire50742
      claire50742 terry74787

      Posted

      Terry, thank you. I have heard of this before and wondered if there was any truth in it. I am an absolute sucker when it comes to eating man made sugars in any format! Drinking, not so much (I detest fizzy drinks and tend to drink mainly water - being an Aussie and in the middle of a stinking hot summer at the moment!) I shall look into this further. THanks for your support. confused
    • tina61247
      tina61247 terry74787

      Posted

      I have frozen shoulder left shoulder rotator cuff torn on left pain under scapula goes down arm into hand leaning on scapula really hurts , sub scapular tear labrum fraying , full rotator cuff in other arm nerve pain all the time in house all the time live in us. Do not want must any advice started  4 mos ago 
  • cindy_45475
    cindy_45475 claire50742

    Posted

    Oh Claire , what a nightmare, what is going on with the medical profession why is this condition so hard to diagnose (properly ) ,I have been beside myself for the past two nights waking every couple of hours and getting up and wandering around just utterly frustrated (as we all seem to be!):

    So if it has all been muscular what is the next step for you?

    I am pinning all of my hopes on visiting a natural healer next week to see if she can relieve some of the constant pain that is associated with FS . Good luck and a speedy recovery.

    Cindy

  • claire50742
    claire50742

    Posted

    Today it is quite painful, annoying really as it was less painful before they did this procedure. I know I must be patient but sadly I was at the back of the queue when he was handing out patience. I am just fed up and struggling to remain positive today neutral
  • claire50742
    claire50742

    Posted

    OK guys - well the hydrodilatation was a waste of time but tonight I have been for some Bowen therapy. I am pleased to report that I have lifted my arm above my head. I have raised it to the side level with my shoulder. Whilst not a complete cure, there is no pain. I feel better than I have in months. I know that the cortisone will still be making a difference but I feel better and more motivated than I have in a long time, nothing else has worked so far so.......?
    • maria58274
      maria58274 claire50742

      Posted

      So glad you have found something that helps you.  I've heard of Bowen therapy but don't know much about it.  The little I'd heard didn't sound very promising - but very interesting to hear that it has indeed helped.  What was involved - was the treatment painful?
    • claire50742
      claire50742 maria58274

      Posted

      I am the biggest cynic around Maria. I was so fed up that too many people kept mentioning this guy near to where I live. One lady told me he had kept her MS at bay. In the end, after a rigorous physio session on Monday, I decided to give this guy a chance. So last night I went along to see what was involved. He just puts pressure on certain points of the shoulder, neck, arm etc. He uses his fingers very lightly, except on the scapula whee he put a bit more pressure. The whole thing is very gentle and slow. He had a very calming attitude and explained that it is to do with soft tissue (fascia) and nerves. He seemed to echo what the physio said, that the whole injury/condition is linked to nerve/tissue/muscle damage. 

      The Dr who did the hydrodilatation told me that there was no adhesion in my shoulder, she told me it was muscular. My physio disagreed but did think it was nerve/neck related. The chap who did the Bowen therapy agreed, and set out to allow me to move my arm a little more freely. Rome wasn't built in a day! This morning I can lift my arm out to the side ABOVE my shoulder and have even been able to shave under my armpit (way too much information sorry!)

      Here's hoping it continues. BTW, not painful at all!

    • cindy_45475
      cindy_45475 claire50742

      Posted

      I am so pleased for you Claire , I've never heard of this therapy but after I get off of this site I will look it up, I'm willing to try anything ( other than surgery), to end this awful condition... I too look forward to the day I can wash and shave my armpit again (little things!!) , good luck for your continued improvement .

      Cindy

    • claire50742
      claire50742 cindy_45475

      Posted

      Really worth giving it a go BUT find a good one. Try to get one who is recommended. This chap is HIGHLY recommended and well known in the area. There are a few charlatens out there - be aware and research - like most things associated with this hideous condition - not many people seem to know much and are very happy to take advantage of our vunerability. Be informed. Wishing you well.
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