Anyone here ever have frozen shoulder? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kerry · #1 02-09-2010, 09:39 PM

Been having some pain in my right shoulder for six months or so. Saw a doctor last week, who initially thought it was tendonitis. But then he asked me to show my range of motion. I was surprised to learn that I can't raise my right arm from my side more than 90 degrees. He shot me up with steroids which seems to have removed most the pain but the doctor thought I could have frozen shoulder. I still can't raise my right arm past 90 degrees so have to return in a couple of weeks if my range of motion does not improve.
I've done some googling and it looks like not much reliable knowledge of the causes and cures of frozen shoulder. Curious as to whether anyone here has experience with it.

Kuan · #2 02-09-2010, 09:42 PM

Did you go to an Ortho?

kerry · #3 02-09-2010, 09:45 PM

Primary care doctor said that was the next step if things don't improve in a couple of weeks.

The Clk Man · #4 02-09-2010, 09:50 PM

I have worn out my right rotator cuff, because I whack off too much. That is all.

Skid Row Joe · #5 02-09-2010, 10:00 PM

I'm sorry to read this, and I'll tell you why; unless you're in a remote part of the country, or cannot afford one, you should have been directed to a specialist, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in arms and shoulders. I too am disturbed by your lack of range, but only a thorough examination of your shoulder can be done by an orthopedic surgeon - with the aid of a large X-ray machine and an MRI. A cortisone injection right off the bat by a general practitioner MD, is costly and may not solve anything. Not to mention putting the cortisone in your body that stays for perhaps one year.

I write this because 3 years ago, I had the experience of choosing to go directly to an orthopedic surgeon without having to hassle with the GP (general practitioner MD.) Without an x-ray and MRI, (X-rays determine if there is arthritis present) they're just shooting in the dark - literally. My right shoulder pain and loss of range was due to bone spurs, which were only identifiable with the MRI, by the surgeon. I was treated with arthroscopic surgery 5 days later, and with 6 months of rehab rubber band exercises, I am as good as new in that shoulder. That was in November of 2007.

Fast forward to March 2009 - my left shoulder began to evidence exactly what the right shoulder had two years previously. Went and saw the same orthopedic surgeon, and he prescribed a cortisone injection, because he said the range of motion/pain was not as severe as my right had been. Not only was the injection pricey - several hundred dollars, but here, almost one year later it is not improved with prescribed use of rubber band exercises, although I do them religiously as prescribed. I am so marginally better, that I am afraid to do any harsh, challenging weight-resistance ie: pull-ups, push-ups, bench presses, for fear of creating a full injury on my left shoulder. The hundreds of dollars I was charged for the cortisone injection - I could have used against the $900.00 charge for the MRI. So now, I am wishing I would have declined the cortisone, that is potentially hazardous to my body, for an MRI instead.

What you describe sounds like a rotator cuff injury - those are severe in nature. I did not, and do not have torn rotator cuffs. I would know if I had - from an almost total lack of range and strength in my upper arm strength.

Keep us posted on your progress. Really, it is important to get an x-ray and MRI to give the surgeon the total picture.

kerry · #6 02-09-2010, 10:11 PM

My PCP said MRI would go along with the visit to the ortho.

Fitz · #7 02-09-2010, 10:31 PM

Have you thought of contacting the 700 Club and asking to be placed on their prayer list?

Skid Row Joe · #8 02-09-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

Have you thought of contacting the 700 Club and asking to be placed on their prayer list?

LMAO!

kerry · #9 02-09-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

Have you thought of contacting the 700 Club and asking to be placed on their prayer list?

Something about 'pacts with devils' makes me hesitate.

Crazy_Nate · #10 02-09-2010, 11:27 PM

I had a winged scapula...it wasn't fun, but I got most of my range of motion back. There were some exercises for it and I had a good chiropractor to work with me.

Pooka · #11 02-10-2010, 06:07 AM

I have this problem and deal with it through exercise. Just stand next to a wall and walk your fingers up like a spider. It took about a year, but I got all my motion back.

At the urging of a friend I went to see a Chiropracter. He started doing a lot of spinal adjustment stuff, but at one point I was laying on my back, on a thin table that my shoulders hung off of, when he started to press down on my shoulder.

There was a very loud 'crack' sound out of my shoulder and it worked like new. I never went back as that said to me it was a 'mechanical' problem and nothing to do with nerves.

I also keep up the spider exercise. If I don't it will freeze up again.

dannym · #12 02-10-2010, 07:38 AM

I had this problem when I crashed my motorcycle. I got full motion back eventually.
Probably doesn't match what your going through though.

Danny

R Leo · #13 02-10-2010, 08:33 AM

Man, I've got a truckload of frozen shoulder, loin and butt...

...roasts.

MS Fowler · #14 02-10-2010, 08:33 AM

Kerry,
Sorry to hear of your pain.
Fortunately, I have not experienced any bone/ joint issues, but I've lived with it for decades. My wife has very bad joints, and had a frozen shoulder, much as you describe. Her orthopedist did the cortisone injections, but finally had to do surgery to repair some of the damage. She has also had both knees replaced with mixed results.
I hope your shoulder responds well to treatment, and that it is not a precursor to further joint issues.
Get to a specialist ( or two) ASAP!

kerry · #15 02-10-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

I have this problem and deal with it through exercise. Just stand next to a wall and walk your fingers up like a spider. It took about a year, but I got all my motion back.

At the urging of a friend I went to see a Chiropracter. He started doing a lot of spinal adjustment stuff, but at one point I was laying on my back, on a thin table that my shoulders hung off of, when he started to press down on my shoulder.

There was a very loud 'crack' sound out of my shoulder and it worked like new. I never went back as that said to me it was a 'mechanical' problem and nothing to do with nerves.

I also keep up the spider exercise. If I don't it will freeze up again.

That's very interesting. It does feel like some kind of mechanical issue. As I approach 90 degrees it feels as though the hinge is reaching a stop. I know that one of the possible treatments is putting the person out and then forcing the arm thru the full range of motion.
If it is frozen shoulder, the disease does have a progression thru freezing and thawing that typically takes over 2 yrs according to what I've read.