Frozen shoulder

petrocoetsee wrote: »

Hi, I thought I pulled a shoulder muscle in December, but after weeks of being sore, I went for some physio and then last week I saw an orthopedic specialist. I was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder and as a 1st treatment, received a cortisone injection. I was told that for the next 6 weeks (5 left) I am not allowed to do any exercises that involves my shoulder. A week after the injection I am very sore, more than I was before. The only exercises I did in the last week was 2 long walks this week end. Anybody else that had this problem? Advise / suggestions / recommendations? What treatment did you get? Thanks

Do you have a physical therapy referral that will kick in at a certain point? That's what I'd be looking for.

I know quite a few people who've had frozen shoulder consequent to breast cancer surgery, but PT has always been the way out (and very successful, for those compliant, I might add).

I think it matters exactly what the cause of your frozen shoulder is, and individualized PT would be the ideal answer.

Can you get a referral?

I hope so!

I had frozen shoulder over 2 yrs ago and am now almost back to normal. It's a long and slow ride--be prepared. Do what your doctor suggests. Progress is slow, but you don't want to slide backwards. Mine was excruciatingly painful. Certain movements caused shooting pains in my shoulder and arm. I didn't have any cortisone injections, so can't help you there--sorry.

Physio! I was a massage therapist until I recently changed careeres. Working in partner with patients and their physiotherapists was so enjoyable! Anyway, you should be seeing a Physio, they will give you some very mild mobility moves to do to help you with range of motion without pain. There is so much you can do at home(I am not going to list it, you really need to be assessed by your physiotherapist), know that most frozen shoulders take about a year to heal, that is if you are compliant and put in the work, frozen shoulders suck so much! They have got to be the most frustrating “injury”. Have patience and be cautious in all your day to day activities.

I had a frozen shoulder a couple of years ago. No trigger that I can think of. I did not have any treatment for it and it took almost a year to completely resolve—the last few months were much less painful, I just had restricted movement.

Good PT can do wonders fairly quickly.

I had idiopathic frozen shoulder in 2015 and to be honest I think the only thing that helps is time. I had loads of physiotherapy and massage therapy that was excruciatingly painful, and in hindsight, I don't think it was worth the pain. My shoulder was so "frozen" that I couldn't open my car door, or dress myself. I would go to massage where she would try to work it and it was almost unbearable (for someone who has delivered three 10 lb babies, and had two herniated discs). It gradually loosened but I honestly believe it would have done it with or without treatment, so if it happened again I would just wait it out in the knowledge that it would resolve eventually.
If you catch it before it freezes completely, then cortisone and physio should help. By the time I got to the specialist for my right shoulder it was too late (yay Canadian health care) but by then the other shoulder was starting to twinge and 3 cortisone shots in that one prevented a repeat of the cycle in that one. But it was still pretty painful and took several months to resolve completely.
I don't really get what exercises you could even do if your shoulder is frozen until it starts to loosen up, if you can't move your shoulder you can't move it. I couldn't move my arm more than about 2 inches out from my side. Now 4 years later I still have a bit of imbalance of my deltoid muscle on that side where it atrophied, but no one else would notice but me.
Good luck whatever you choose. I feel your pain. I wouldn't wish frozen shoulder on anyone.

ceiswyn wrote: »

I've never had frozen shoulder, but I have a long-standing shoulder condition and once had a steroid injection for it; it has never hurt more than it did after that flippin' injection! Steroid injections, by my limited understanding, are a bit of a 50:50; sometimes they help a lot, sometimes they just hurt and don't help at all.

When I got my first cortisone injection I thought I died and went to heaven. After 12 months of pain I think I cried from the relief of being finally pain free. It wasn't permanent but it was definitely worth it to me to have that relief while I healed.

I do find it interesting that now 4 years later I have no pain whatsoever in the shoulder that froze completely, and I had no cortisone shots in. The other shoulder, I had a lot of pain but it didn't "freeze" completely like the first one, I had 3 cortisone shots. That shoulder I do still get some tendonitis type pain. So I don't know if the shots have anything to do with that, but it is worth considering I guess.

Im currently in month 11 of my second frozen shoulder (cause not known) & have have cortisone shot followed by hydrodistension in my shoulder in October . This caused a lot of pain a few days after (i had just got used to the zingers easing) that lasted another month.
Now i have no pain and began physio in January, just massage of muscles surrounding shoulder blade with gentle swings, folded arm raises etc. I can now jog with arms moving and can raise arm parallel to the ground. Its a slow process im afraid. Cortisone doesn't work for everyone. My first shot did nothing but the second one (the hydrodistension) was ultrasound guided and stopped the pain after a week/10 days.
Tip; a vest top with support instead of a bra and step into it! Wear a light sling when waking out (more as a warning to those around you not to bump into you... Im only too familiar with that pain!)
Alternate heat then cold on shoulder to relax shoulder
LOTS OF PILLOWS AROUND YOU IN BED! SERIOUSLY BUILD A FORT! gives you support and hopefully you will be able to get a decent sleep.
Use a broom handle to help with swing exercises but don't push to far.. Trying to push through the pain will cause more harm than good

I wish you well but remember its a long healing process. Accept help. Support of friends and family is the key.
Sending gentle hugs.

I went to chiropractor. They used a blade massage technique, regular massage, KT tape and gave me exercises to do with two pounds weights. Was able to resolve the impingement without shots or surgery. I did not stop exercising, I modified my activity.

snowflake954 wrote: »

I had frozen shoulder over 2 yrs ago and am now almost back to normal. It's a long and slow ride--be prepared. Do what your doctor suggests. Progress is slow, but you don't want to slide backwards. Mine was excruciatingly painful. Certain movements caused shooting pains in my shoulder and arm. I didn't have any cortisone injections, so can't help you there--sorry.

Yes just the same for me, it took a few years to completely heal how ever I was given exercises to do. It is a long process I'm afraid, I was told the injection is a very painful thing to go through and opted not to go down that road. I do hope the injection means you don't have the condition too long.