Anybody have a "frozen" shoulder?

[Travelover]

This is more common than I thought. Yep sleeping can be bad, can't sleep at all on my left side (bad shoulder side), can't raise my arm even level at the side. First thought it was torn rotator cup or arthritis, turned out to be neither.

Sounds like standard exercises for therapy, although have not been told to hang from the rafters yet.

Surgery is scheduled for this Friday afternoon. I will let you know how it goes.

It is your decision, but I was told that it is a temporary condition that will self heal with therapy. And in my case, it did, but it took months.

Frozen shoulder: Treatments and drugs - MayoClinic.com

Surgical and other procedures
Most frozen shoulders get better on their own within 12 to 18 months. For persistent symptoms, your doctor may suggest:

Steroid injections. Injecting corticosteroids into your shoulder joint may help decrease pain and improve shoulder mobility.
Joint distension. Injecting sterile water into the joint capsule can help stretch the tissue and make it easier to move the joint.
Shoulder manipulation. In this procedure, you receive a general anesthetic so you'll be unconscious and feel no pain. Then the doctor moves your shoulder joint in different directions, to help loosen the tightened tissue. Depending on the amount of force used, this procedure can cause bone fractures.
Surgery. If nothing else has helped, you may be a candidate for surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions from inside your shoulder joint. Doctors usually perform this surgery arthroscopically, with lighted, tubular instruments inserted through small incisions around your joint.

 

[gilbertmsg]

Good luck brokenknee. Look forward for pain free days and think positive.

Eddie

 

[brokenknee]

Surgical and other procedures
Most frozen shoulders get better on their own within 12 to 18 months. For persistent symptoms, your doctor may suggest:

Steroid injections. Injecting corticosteroids into your shoulder joint may help decrease pain and improve shoulder mobility.
Joint distension. Injecting sterile water into the joint capsule can help stretch the tissue and make it easier to move the joint.
Shoulder manipulation. In this procedure, you receive a general anesthetic so you'll be unconscious and feel no pain. Then the doctor moves your shoulder joint in different directions, to help loosen the tightened tissue. Depending on the amount of force used, this procedure can cause bone fractures.
Surgery. If nothing else has helped, you may be a candidate for surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions from inside your shoulder joint. Doctors usually perform this surgery arthroscopically, with lighted, tubular instruments inserted through small incisions around your joint.

He is going to do all of the above on Friday. Maybe it is a mistake to have it done, time will tell.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

When I tore up my shoulder I instantly knew I had did a bad thing. I'm eight and a half weeks out of surgery and am doing great. Everyone is scared but me of me overdoing it.

I don't have full range of motion yet but I can wash my hair with both hands, reach out for the seat belt and shut the door of the truck when I'm driving, left shoulder injury, etc.

The pain is constant. It's a given, the "shoulder has a toothache" just about nails it. I live with pain anyway so another just shares the ouch. Yesterday ripping off stucco at the end of the day the good shoulder hurt more than the injured one. I took that as a good sign.

 

[Navy GSCM]

That's great progress! I had my surgery in November and just have been able to wash my hair with both hands for the last couple of weeks...

 

[RSKY]

Another thing I remembered, on my first checkup after the surgery the doctor said he had another patient who had surgery a couple months before me. She was an avid golfer. That is one of the activities he told me not to do for six months. She got to feeling better and decided to go to the driving range, hit a dozen or so balls and completely screwed her shoulder up again. He also told me to not swing a hammer.

Used that as an excuse to buy a framing nailer.

 

[homeputter]

I would avoid surgery if at all possible.

My 1st frozen shoulder just gradually appeared. I did not know what it was at first. I did not hurt it (that I know of) to cause it.
The Orthopedic Surgeon I went to said "I don't believe in babying these things." He had me lie on a table and then he jerked my arm hard over my head. I about flew off the table with the pain. He wrote me a prescription for physical therapy. The "Sports" physical therapist did not agree with the Dr's attempt to break it loose. They gently manipulated the arm, followed by electric current treatment. Gradually the full degree of freedom returned. I believe these treatments, twice a week, took about 6 weeks - I think. These treatments were mostly pain free. It was 6 or 8 years ago. (I am 67 now). Right after they got one shoulder freed up, the other one froze up. It did not take as long to free up - probably because I knew what it was and got prompt treatment. I have not had any more shoulder problems since then.

Good luck, I hope your treatment is successful also.

 

[brokenknee]

I will be out of work until Monday instead of Wednesday as previously told by the doctor. When doc talked to my wife after the surgery he told her the operation most likely isn't going to help much as I have arthritis in my shoulder (after he told me I DID NOT have arthritis) it is reasons like this I do not like or trust Doctors. This seams to happen all to often.

The block is wearing off and I can finally move my arm. No pain at this time, waiting for the block to wear off to see if I need to take the codeine I was given. Was also given a "tens" machine electrical impulse machine to put on to manage pain.

I should have listened to those of you that did not recommend surgery. All it seemed to accomplish is to line the doctor's pocket and make me loose six days of work. I do have sick time and short term disability at work so it is not like I am out of any money (other than my co-pay) but that is not the point. Oh and gas money since it is about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the hospital were I had my surgery.

Hopefully I should have at least some improvement to make all of this not totally a waste of time.

 

[Bird]

I will be out of work until Monday instead of Wednesday as previously told by the doctor. When doc talked to my wife after the surgery he told her the operation most likely isn't going to help much as I have arthritis in my shoulder (after he told me I DID NOT have arthritis) it is reasons like this I do not like or trust Doctors. This seams to happen all to often.

The block is wearing off and I can finally move my arm. No pain at this time, waiting for the block to wear off to see if I need to take the codeine I was given. Was also given a "tens" machine electrical impulse machine to put on to manage pain.

I should have listened to those of you that did not recommend surgery. All it seemed to accomplish is to line the doctor's pocket and make me loose six days of work. I do have sick time and short term disability at work so it is not like I am out of any money (other than my co-pay) but that is not the point. Oh and gas money since it is about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the hospital were I had my surgery.

Hopefully I should have at least some improvement to make all of this not totally a waste of time.

Ouch! We'll hope it turns out better than you're expecting right now.

 

[Travelover]

Good luck and take the physical therapy if you can.