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What to do now?

Posted , 4 users are following.

cory1979
cory1979

Hi folks! Back in March I tore my Labrum at work. A slip and catch while exiting a piece of machinery.

It took a while to figure out the issue, as a work comp claim, but on June 14th of this year I had surgery.

My Doc found a reverse bankart tear as well a a SLAP tear which he repaired with 4 anchors.

Post Op. Things looked pretty good until week 4 ish when my shoulder started getting more painful and stiff.

Doc said I had Adhesive Capsulitis, my physical therapist said he didn't believe that was my issue, and I proceeded to go to physical therapy.

My employer pushed to have me go back to "light duty", and when I spoke to my Doc. He said his hands were tied, because their job description did not require use of my gimpy left arm. Issues like not being able to sleep, and barely being able to maintain my household as a single parent did not matter in the situation.

So I go back to work, while also having 8 appointments a week. 3 phy therapy, 3 chiropractic, and three massage/needling.

My employer lied, my job requires me to use my gimpy arm to do 90 percent of the secretarial work they asked me to do. After a few days my back locked up and my shoulder pain was unacceptable.

I returned to the Doc, and he took me off work a month and scheduled me for a cortisone shot.

I had my shot a couple weeks ago, and was evaluated by his semi retired colleague who specialized in shoulders and frozen shoulder.

He told me that I doubtlessly have frozen shoulder, and spent a half hour telling me about how much the next 18 months are going to suck.

He also recommend not irritating the shoulder, for that causes more scar tissue, and to try and keep as much mobility as it runs its course.

Info about me before the question.

I am 39, male, an electrician by trade, 6ft 9, and a single full time parent to two kids, 15 and 9.

My questions are this....

Will I be required to work light duty even though I can't sleep and the arm is so easily irritated?

Is it better to let it thaw on it's own or get additional surgery?

For those of you with this issue, how long before the bulk of the pain went away? How useful was the arm that was frozen?

Any advice for someone 2 months into the freezing process?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • brent28997
    brent28997 cory1979

    Posted

    My biggest issues were reaching up high and reaching behind my back. Luckily you're 6'9" so the up high thing shouldn't be an issue lol.

    Once my shoulders were "frozen" the pain went away for the most part. That took about 3 months for me. Then another 4 months of being frozen before I started thawing.

    I let mine heal on their own. After listening to people on here it doesn't sound like surgery does much to help and, in some cases, even exasperated the problem.

    Good luck

    • cory1979
      cory1979 brent28997

      Posted

      Thanks for the info. I believe that I am going to avoid surgery if possible.
  • ElizabethAnne48
    ElizabethAnne48 cory1979

    Posted

    Let it heal on it’s own Cory! Try a hot water bottle on it when you’re in bed for the night! My frozen shoulder lasted a year, and what a year I had with it. I went private for an injection and spent a small fortune altogether with PT. Eventually my doctor sent me to see this specialist, only to be told that no amount of money I spend on my shoulder will work. It came on it’s own, and will gone on it’s own. I hope you’ll be better soon. 
    • cory1979
      cory1979 ElizabethAnne48

      Posted

      Thanks for the info Elizabeth. I take a hot shower for a half hour before bed, take a sleeping pill, a non steroidal anti inflammatory, and a naturopathic anti inflammatory. I also have a moist heating pad I sometimes use on it, but I toss and turn so much, I don't use it very often. Just trying to get comfortable long enough to fall asleep is difficult in itself.

      I think you are right about surgery. It seems like if I can manage once it is frozen, then the surgery is a risky option at best.

    • ElizabethAnne48
      ElizabethAnne48 cory1979

      Posted

      It will go, just keep doing what you can to get comfortable! I found it really hard, as I was unable to sleep, and was like a Zombie during the day! But heat helped so much that I was boiling my kettle I don’t know how many times a day! Hot bath, hot water bottle and painkillers etc that’s all you can do! Nice to talk to someone taller than my son lol! He’s 6 ft 7 at 17 years of age.  Anyway I hope you’ll be better soon. Don’t go for the surgery, as it’ll be a long recovery. 
    • cory1979
      cory1979 ElizabethAnne48

      Posted

      Thanks and I will do. I grew after high school almost 2 inches. He may get there!
  • nicole22585
    nicole22585 cory1979

    Posted

    I’m sorry you are dealing this this!

    My shoulder frozen last July, I had severe pain off and on for 1 year. I iced every 2 hours, stretching everyday.

    I worked a desk job, I would ice my arm ever 2 hours, take tramadol to get through the really rough times, on my lunch I would get in my car and lay the seat all the way back so my shoulder/muscles could truly rest.

    When I got home from work I would take a hot bath because my back and shoulder muscles were tense from the day,

    My situation is different, slap II tear, frozen shoulder, winging scapula and impingement syndrome but my frozen shoulder is now gone. Good luck to you, (mentally) push through the hard times, give yourself grace, have your kids help out.

  • shazza4
    shazza4 cory1979

    Posted

    I feel your pain as im suffering from a frozen shoulder too. Got a cortisone 3 weeks ago and rhe pain is just easing now. My dr told me only cure was physio and as theres a 26 week waiting list I'm paying private. Night time is worse for me trying to get my arm in a comfortable and painless position an absolute nighrmare.. im on 500mg naproxen and 8 co codomol a day. Still cant tie my hair up as my arm just will not move above my shoulder and cant put arm behind my back amongst other things. So frustrating. Just hope time will heal as they say

    • ElizabethAnne48
      ElizabethAnne48 shazza4

      Posted

      Don’t pay privately for PT as I spent a ridiculous amount of money and it will go on it’s own x
    • cory1979
      cory1979 shazza4

      Posted

      My experience is that Physical therapy doesn't cure, or even relieve symptoms. It does help maintain range of motion and strength though, so it has value in my opinion.

      If I understand things properly, then physical therapy while in the freezing stage needs to be very light and focused on maintaining mobility without irritating the shoulder much because this will cause excess scarring, pain, and can ultimately delay recovery.

      What has worked best for me is a combination of chiropractic and massage. Although the massage is very painful, it does provide some relief.

      The cortisone shot is meh... I think it has helped a bit, but it's hard to know. I believe somewhat less pain overall.

      I had been on hydrocodone for 4 months when I swore them off. I was taking 20mg a day and I started noticing it making my pain flare up worse rather than mask it. Plus it messes with your head after a time.

      These are just a few things I have learned this far, and hopefully they can help you as well.

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