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recovery time after frozen shoulder manipulation

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deb49491
deb49491

It's been 18 months of torture ! Going to have my shoulder manipulated this week . I am thrilled to have found this link . Knowing someone actually understands what I'm going through ! I was in tears reading everyone's situation .this is the most painful and debilitating situation ever ! Would like to.hear some stories on what happens after manipulation , I plan on only taking off work 3 days after . I am a mammographer . I suffer through my 12 hr days ! I am praying I will be on my way to recovery after  4 days !! 

7 likes, 182 replies

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  • Rodroger
    Rodroger deb49491

    Posted

    It has been over five years now, and I am still having major problems. I do have scarring on one of my shoulder tendons which has not healed and I still have limited movement in this arm. Because of this condition I also suffer with severe tendonitis of the elbow because of the lack of movement in the shoulder. The shoulder was originally injured in the work place, even though I did get some compensation, it was only for 12 months wages and now, at over five years, the amount of compensation was a pittance in comparison. My shoulder seems to behave itself on most days, but as soon as I start using it around the house with general repairs, which I need to do, than I suffer for a number of days after. Example...My daughter wanted her room re-painted, I just finished spak filling and sanding...but today I am nearly back at the start, as far as pain and lack of movement which became apparent after I woke up. It is very upsetting and demoralising knowing this could be now a permanent disability and may never actually heal. 18 months is nothing in comparison, just be patient, you may come good, everyone is different...Do not have physio as this will only cause more problems and is not recommended, it will only aggravate the situation... I will be discussing my continual problem with my GP next week but I already know there is not much that can be done and will just have to live with it. I will just have to learn, not to use it as much to lesson the impact on it. I stand on things to reach things these days as I can not lift this arm above my head, luckily I am right handed and the problem is my left shoulder, but I am a guitarist and causes lots of pain trying to play at times, can not use a guitar strap and have sit now to perform live.....Capsulation generally with heal itself or even be repaired with surgical manipulation, but tendon damage with scaring cannot.....

     

  • Armygirl
    Armygirl deb49491

    Posted

    I see from this post; it was some time ago. I am scheduled for arthroscopic surgery this Thursday (November 30, 2017) )for my left shoulder after four months for frozen shoulder. I am nervous. Orthopedic doctor is doing this as a last resort. I will have 12 weeks of physical therapy at 3x per week. My question for the ones whom have taken this path. Your journey/the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks for your time 
    • Jmiller0007
      Jmiller0007 Armygirl

      Posted

      Only 4 months in, my question would be if your in the frozen stage yet.  If not... it could go back to where it is now.  If it is done freezing you will... and I say this with knowing... be doing more therapy than 3 times a week.  That is not enough after the procedure.  Just after I went every day, but did at home stretches every 2 hours the first two days, then every 3 hours next day, then every 4 hours the day after... but I stretch now every 5 hours, or at least 4 times a day.  I still go to pt every day.  Keeping on it is key!!!!  It hurts like no other, do not skip or miss a pain pill,.. take them.  Even in the middle of the night, I set an alarm with a piece of bread, water, and my pill  next to my recliner I sleep in.  

      12 weeks is about right,  but you will need to do more at home than you think.  It’s tiresum, you want to give up, and it hurts... I’m going into week 3 after my MUA.  And the pain is no different.  Just keep at it... hope your procedure goes good!!  

    • dale57315
      dale57315 Armygirl

      Posted

      Had my 2nd surgery April 25 because it had froze after the first major one last Nov6. Had to go in and break the adhesions and take out scar tissue. Was told I'd get almost immediate relief . Wrong, very painful, never got much mobility even with PT 3x a week. Had to end up taking early retirement because I'd been out of work since last Nov and had no more time. I did get SSD finally after a long process. Dr told me last visit it " might " get a little better as time goes by. Had 16 total surgeries counting those 2, including 3 back fusions, the shoulder ones were by far the worst!

    • bobbie1007
      bobbie1007 Armygirl

      Posted

      I am not sure if having the surgery only after four months will work - you may still be in the "freezing" stage, and not in the "frozen" stage yet.  I had mine on October 31, 2017 and still do not have my range of motion back.  The pain is still there especially when i am stretching and at PT, but the night time is THE worst.  I cannot wait for the day to be back in my bed.  Its a very slow recovery process.  I am at work now and have not had a pill for 12 hours.  As I said in my previous post, I wont take the opioids but take motrin.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out Thursday along with your recovery process!

    • Armygirl
      Armygirl Jmiller0007

      Posted

      I apologize, I did not see the replies since this site is new to me. Surgery (this past Thursday) went well; the surgeon removed bone spurs and told my husband he was able to move the arm to full extension (my words). Over the weekend, I was getting depressed because I was afraid the shoulder was locking up but yesterday in my first day of physical therapy, my physical therapist stated She was able to move it farther than before the surgery. I have one certain movement that will continue to give me a problem. I do take pain medication prior to the PT or I couldn’t take it even with my high tolerance to pain. My right frozen shoulder from 2013 healed; the only thing I lost is some strength and it did not require surgery. My PT stated the bone spurs, left shoulder is what stopped any and all progress. The four months of PT did help but I noticed the left shoulder/arm was bigger than the right and I do not remember it being that way when the right shoulder was frozen. I mean it affects the way shirts fit me. Any one have this problem? 
    • david15013
      david15013 Armygirl

      Posted

      I had my MUA a year ago and my right shoulder is bigger and differnt shape than the other and sometimes just driving pain shoots from my shoulder to my neck and its intense pain, hope this answers your question.
    • Jmiller0007
      Jmiller0007 Armygirl

      Posted

      Amy,

      Oh goodness, I am so scared to get this again in my other shoulder, I have hypothyroidism.  So I'm more able to get it again I guess?  I do know now what to look for, and early signs... Glad your first FS healed up.  But I too have issues with my right shoulder being bigger, shirts are tighter around the cap, armpit area.  I thought it was just nerve issues with not feeling it right, but my sister said nope, it looks bigger.  Her left shoulder from 3 years ago is still a little bigger. 

      How has your pain and ROM been since your surgery now that it's been a few more days? 

      Mine is still the same, pretty painful, still need pain meds, and I'm loosing my external / Internal ROM.  it's only at about 30-40% right now depending on where my elbow is when trying to stretch it.  But I can still do a pulley to get it over my head, just can't lift it on my own yet. 

      Hope you heal up!!  Good luck to you

    • Armygirl
      Armygirl

      Posted

      JMiller, 

      I had the follow-up from surgery today; stitches came out. He had to remove bone spurs. Actually, I am doing very well, thank the Lord! The doctor is pleased with the range of motion. I do have bruising from the manual manipulation and slight soreness. The right arm did not get larger in 2013 with frozen shoulder. The left and current one on the other hand is the one I am concerned about due to the size difference. I see in it my clothes and feel it-frustrating because I am already having problems with “batty” arms. That is the part of my body where the fat seems to lie to rest and I am not a big person. I do have one movement that will give me fit and will need a lot therapy; I cannot bring the left arm up the back such as snap the under garment. Keep faith, you will make it..I keep telling myself that and I more determined and dedicated to this time especially to the home therapy 

  • joseph44943
    joseph44943 deb49491

    Posted

    I had my operation 25th august 2017. Every went well until about 6weeks post op I started to get a shooting pain down my neck into my Shoulder down to my elbow. Contact my GP who said that it was nerve damage , but best to double check with the consultant who did the op. Am on 30/500mg Co-codomol every 4hrs tried heat and ice packs but nothing is helping again contact gp who said it can take between 6 months to 2 years to heal. I can't afford any more time for work.

  • diane_94281
    diane_94281 deb49491

    Posted

    I had rotator cuff surgery aug 25 about 4 mo ago after bein ina sling 8 weeks and conp waiting another week to approve therapy I've been going three times a week i also had impingement and debreave meant of shoulder same time same surgery but I can't hardle use right arm it's only 40 percent am for dr says it's capsulated and needs cortisone and maybe minipulation it's painful and I dread another surgery my work comp is approving the jazz brace which is useless I tried it todayto hope it would stretch the scar tissue out the p therapist have tried everything and keep trying my doctor said I might just never have full rotation and no pitching a softball bowling basketball or regular things I love I may be handicapped and have to go on total disability a day now I get partial through work and might. Wes a job retrain w schooling as u can't work my job with arm like this have. Wen off a year as work didn't want to acknowledge I had shoulder injury and it kept getting worse so all this time and scar tissue buildingim really aftaid I'll never be the same or close anyone have any suggestions 

    • joseph44943
      joseph44943 diane_94281

      Posted

      I also had a decompression operation done frozen shoulder aug 25th 2017. For a few months it has been hell with neck pain traveling down to my shoulder and into my elbow. Arm weakness has set in. Manage to get back at least 70% movement still finding reach a bit difficult to do overall Dr said gonna take at least another 6-8 months to heal. Am returning back to work on a phased back to see how I cope I don't want to be off as disabled it will get better over time.

  • Shawnabanana
    Shawnabanana deb49491

    Posted

    I tore my labrum and did some other damage in my left shoulder and it healed wrong (didn;t know it was torn). I had surgery end of Sept 2017.. I was also sick with chronic pancreatitis so I was unable to go to PT and I had my gallbladder removed 4 weeks after the shoulder surgery. (Never ever recommend having 2 surgeries like that back to back). I then went back to work 3 weeks later. And I work for Apple inc. So that was mid Nov and we were slammed. Working 70 hour weeks and no time for PT. I am almost 5 mo post op and still can barely use my left arm. I can't carry things in the arm, I can't lift, If I bump it (clumsy happens daily fml) I scream and wince in pain, I have no pain unless I move it or tweak it for the most park. I do have bad days. I can lift the arm up if my arm is bent but with it straight and to the front or side I cannot lift it to even straight in front of me. SMH. Dr said I have 4 weeks to get in some serious PT or im going to be doing Shoulder Manipulation and its going to be painful  AF. I am on Heavy ish pain meds already for all my issues so that helps but fact I can't use my arm rn really sucks as well as know I will need to have the manipulation. I cant get in to PT for 3 weeks....  Anyone know any PT Exercises I can try, I have a personal Tens Unit as well idk if that will help like it does with other injuries? I do not want to miss more time from work I was off for 3 mo and really trying for a promotion that will likely come while im on LOA again. I got 4 boys and can't function half the time with them because of this damn arm. Sorry this was so long. 

    Thanks in advance yall

    Shawna. cheesygrin

    • darcifurmama
      darcifurmama Shawnabanana

      Posted

      Hi Shawnabanana, 

      Definitely use the TENS Unit! They use it on me at PT. Prior to doing the exercises they apply a heating pad for 15-20 min and after the exercises and manual manipulation they follow up with the TENS and ice pack. I use the TENS a lot at home for my shoulder to help cut through the pain. If you haven't found any exercises yet, just Google exercises for Frozen Shoulder and make sure to do ones from actual Physical Therapy sites. There are also good print outs on Pinterest. Pendulums (drawing circles with your finger in each direction is a good one I do every hour and was also advised to do in a hot shower when possible), walking your fingers up the wall, hand slides, and pulley. You can purchase the same frozen shoulder pulley they will use w/ you at PT on Amazon (about $12) and use 6-8/day. There are many more exercises out there, I just can't do them yet! Best of luck to you! 

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