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Saggy arms after FS

Posted , 4 users are following.

cheryl95104
cheryl95104

Hi FS ladies,

I am 5/6weeks post arthroscopic release of frozen shoulder and am going thru the hell of physio, I am sure that woman is trying to break my arm! 

My problem is that my arms look really swollen and kind of saggy, like cellulite only bigger.  Do any of you have this?  Will it eventually go once I have full movement or am I doomed to lumpy arms for the rest of my life?

Am at a wedding and wore heels for the first time in 6 months and felt like I was really tall (I am 5ft 3inches) funny how out of normal life I have been, I could hardly walk in them!

Hope you are all having a pain free weekend.

Cherylxx

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • ali42615
    ali42615 cheryl95104

    Posted

    Have a look at the post 'Imade it'

    cheryl, it sounds like your muscles have wasted, which will take some time to repair and build up. Slowly, slowly! 

    It does feel like they're trying to break your arm, it's your muscles refusing to stretch. Awful pain. Do you take pain relief prior to physio? It can help. 

    Good luck x

  • caitlin39841
    caitlin39841 cheryl95104

    Posted

    yes, i have massive arm muscle wasting and i haven't even been to physio yet? i presume once the pain eases you'll be able to do weight lifting and other exercises to comabt the muscle wasting.

    Caitlin

    • ali42615
      ali42615 caitlin39841

      Posted

      Yes, rom - range of movement first, strengthening second. Have fun at physio xxxx
  • hilary36369
    hilary36369 cheryl95104

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl,

    Yes, have the muscle wastage and lumpy arms (my physio told me it was the bicep tendon's spot where it joined to forearm bone). 

    From all that I have read and understand, strength is just as important as stretch, and apart from a post-op period (not sure how long, prob individual) it is best to work within pain limits (ie not helpful to keep pushing too hard through pain) with FS.

    However it seems like your Physio has a plan or a reason for continuing to push you into pain, but are you making progress? Is it all helping and are you improving? Does it feel like it's a good path for you?

    • cheryl95104
      cheryl95104 hilary36369

      Posted

      Thanks Hilary, Its good to know that I am not the only one and that this is 'normal'.  Yes I am improving, ortho surgeon is worried I will re-freeze as he was not sure if I had fully entered the 2nd phase, even though it had been frozen for 6 months, from what I understand it is best to do mua or arthroscopy once in solid frozen or thaw stage - god knows, its so complicated....how do you really know!

      Anyway physio is 'aggressive' to mobilise shoulder so it is free all the way round, and then will ease off for the strengthening bit.  I dose myself up with the nurofen before I go, and once its over, I am not in pain, just a bit sore like having a workout.  So far so good I am seeing more movement.

      It is a relief to know the lumpy arms are all part of the condition, now the sun is coming out I feel a bit self conscious wearing sleeveless tops with these chunky arms! 

      All part of the JOY of FS I guess.

      Cheryl xx

  • hilary36369
    hilary36369 cheryl95104

    Posted

    Really great to know you are improving go and feel yourself getting better Cheryl. This is an inspiration so please keep sharing your story and hopefully lots of good news!, smile xx
  • cheryl95104
    cheryl95104

    Posted

    Thanks Ladies,

    Good to know I am not alone in the dodgy arm department.

     Hopefully we will all have elegant arms like Michele Obama one day!

    Cherylxx

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