Frozen Shoulder

[Red9zero]

Anyone on here ever had one ? Apparently I have had it for a few months, but I was trying to ignore it, thinking I had pulled something or slept awkwardly. My doctor referred me to a physio who I saw yesterday and he confirmed it by pulling my arm in various directions to check it does indeed hurt like ****. He said it is too far gone for just physio, so I have an x-ray booked to check that it isn't bone damage and then after that, a steroid injection. One thing the physio did confirm is that it is one of the most miserable pains going. A lot of the time, like now, it doesn't hurt at all, but a slight knock, or catch it wrong and the pain is enough to get tears in your eyes. Hopefully, someone in the world of PH has had it and can tell me the injection cures everything and I will be as right as rain afterwards !

[Nexus Icon]

I put up with one for months and eventually had a cortisone injection which cured it in about 48 hours. When the other shoulder started developing symptoms (really common if you've had one side go) I immediately booked in for a jab on that side. That took about 2 weeks to get rid of all symptoms and I've been ok since... touch wood.

You're right though, the pain from the gentlest of knocks is indescribable.

[PurpleTurtle]

My ex-GF is a physio, frozen shoulder is/was one of the common complaints she dealt with several times a week.

Some advice here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/

I didn't know about the possible diabetes link, worth checking out even if just to discount it.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/...

[JQ]

Red9zero said:

Anyone on here ever had one ? Apparently I have had it for a few months, but I was trying to ignore it, thinking I had pulled something or slept awkwardly. My doctor referred me to a physio who I saw yesterday and he confirmed it by pulling my arm in various directions to check it does indeed hurt like ****. He said it is too far gone for just physio, so I have an x-ray booked to check that it isn't bone damage and then after that, a steroid injection. One thing the physio did confirm is that it is one of the most miserable pains going. A lot of the time, like now, it doesn't hurt at all, but a slight knock, or catch it wrong and the pain is enough to get tears in your eyes. Hopefully, someone in the world of PH has had it and can tell me the injection cures everything and I will be as right as rain afterwards !

I have had several rotator cuff impingements in my shoulder (different issue) some of which which have resulted in Cortisone injections into the shoulder. I remember my first - doctor was talking me through the results of my MRI and confirming that I needed an injection. I quickly got my diary out only for him to inform me to get my shirt off as he was doing it now, as his experience suggested there was a very strong probability I wouldn't return for the injection. I'm fine with normal injections but I was definitely not happy about one going into my shoulder, so he was probably correct. It was absolutely fine, not painful at all and resulted in almost immediate relief.

Not sure that this helps with your issue, but hopefully it will be the same for you.

[Red9zero]

Nexus Icon said:

I put up with one for months and eventually had a cortisone injection which cured it in about 48 hours. When the other shoulder started developing symptoms (really common if you've had one side go) I immediately booked in for a jab on that side. That took about 2 weeks to get rid of all symptoms and I've been ok since... touch wood.

You're right though, the pain from the gentlest of knocks is indescribable.

Ugh. I have been told getting in the other side (right) is possible. Good to hear the injection works though.

[Red9zero]

PurpleTurtle said:

My ex-GF is a physio, frozen shoulder is/was one of the common complaints she dealt with several times a week.

Some advice here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/

I didn't know about the possible diabetes link, worth checking out even if just to discount it.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/...

I am T2, so this would be another side effect I guess. Surprising how many things are affected by diabetes.

[Red9zero]

JQ said:

I have had several rotator cuff impingements in my shoulder (different issue) some of which which have resulted in Cortisone injections into the shoulder. I remember my first - doctor was talking me through the results of my MRI and confirming that I needed an injection. I quickly got my diary out only for him to inform me to get my shirt off as he was doing it now, as his experience suggested there was a very strong probability I wouldn't return for the injection. I'm fine with normal injections but I was definitely not happy about one going into my shoulder, so he was probably correct. It was absolutely fine, not painful at all and resulted in almost immediate relief.

Not sure that this helps with your issue, but hopefully it will be the same for you.

I'm not good with needles at the best of times, but if it is a means to an end, I'm in !

[JQ]

Red9zero said:

JQ said:

I have had several rotator cuff impingements in my shoulder (different issue) some of which which have resulted in Cortisone injections into the shoulder. I remember my first - doctor was talking me through the results of my MRI and confirming that I needed an injection. I quickly got my diary out only for him to inform me to get my shirt off as he was doing it now, as his experience suggested there was a very strong probability I wouldn't return for the injection. I'm fine with normal injections but I was definitely not happy about one going into my shoulder, so he was probably correct. It was absolutely fine, not painful at all and resulted in almost immediate relief.

Not sure that this helps with your issue, but hopefully it will be the same for you.

I'm not good with needles at the best of times, but if it is a means to an end, I'm in !

I was really really really not happy about having it done, in my head the level of pain was going to excruciating, the reality was totally different and subsequent injections were far less stressful for me. And the relief was great. Get it done.

[Red9zero]

JQ said:

Red9zero said:

JQ said:

I have had several rotator cuff impingements in my shoulder (different issue) some of which which have resulted in Cortisone injections into the shoulder. I remember my first - doctor was talking me through the results of my MRI and confirming that I needed an injection. I quickly got my diary out only for him to inform me to get my shirt off as he was doing it now, as his experience suggested there was a very strong probability I wouldn't return for the injection. I'm fine with normal injections but I was definitely not happy about one going into my shoulder, so he was probably correct. It was absolutely fine, not painful at all and resulted in almost immediate relief.

Not sure that this helps with your issue, but hopefully it will be the same for you.

I'm not good with needles at the best of times, but if it is a means to an end, I'm in !

I was really really really not happy about having it done, in my head the level of pain was going to excruciating, the reality was totally different and subsequent injections were far less stressful for me. And the relief was great. Get it done.

It will probably be another couple of weeks, as I have to get an x-ray and then wait for the results, but definitely getting it done. Incidentally, I have a blood test and also flu and Covid jabs on the same day next week. Can't wait !

[Riff Raff]

Red9zero said:

PurpleTurtle said:

My ex-GF is a physio, frozen shoulder is/was one of the common complaints she dealt with several times a week.

Some advice here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/

I didn't know about the possible diabetes link, worth checking out even if just to discount it.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/...

I am T2, so this would be another side effect I guess. Surprising how many things are affected by diabetes.

I'm T2 as well. I've had frozen shoulder on both sides, a couple of years apart. Injections didn't work, so I had surgery to fix (subacromial decompression under general anaesthetic) on both shoulders with physio afterwards. I'm pain free, but I didn't get the full range of movement back after the healing process had finished. If I ever get arrested and they cuff me I'm going to be in trouble as I can't cross my wrists behind me.

[Red9zero]

Riff Raff said:

Red9zero said:

PurpleTurtle said:

My ex-GF is a physio, frozen shoulder is/was one of the common complaints she dealt with several times a week.

Some advice here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/

I didn't know about the possible diabetes link, worth checking out even if just to discount it.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/...

I am T2, so this would be another side effect I guess. Surprising how many things are affected by diabetes.

I'm T2 as well. I've had frozen shoulder on both sides, a couple of years apart. Injections didn't work, so I had surgery to fix (subacromial decompression under general anaesthetic) on both shoulders with physio afterwards. I'm pain free, but I didn't get the full range of movement back after the healing process had finished. If I ever get arrested and they cuff me I'm going to be in trouble as I can't cross my wrists behind me.

If I remember what the physio said, I think that is what the x-ray is to check for before they go for the injection. I could be wrong though. Luckily I have private health care I could use if needed, as the waiting list for any kind of operation near us is rather long.

[2Btoo]

I've had it on both sides. And it hurts like a bugger.

I had the second one (about 8 years after the first one) injected and the injection was entirely painless but did nothing. The anaesthetic element relieved the pain for the rest of the day but it came back the next morning.

Both resolved after about 18 months. The really painful stage lasts perhaps 4-6 months and after that it becomes more of an irritation and annoyance.

I have full movement back in one side and about 98% of movement back in the other side. I'm not diabetic.

You have my sympathy as it's not fun at all, but talking to specialists it seems that quite a lot of people just have to wait it out for it to get better - as I did.

[PistonBroker]

PurpleTurtle said:

I didn't know about the possible diabetes link, worth checking out even if just to discount it.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/...

Interesting, thanks for flagging that up.

Mrs T had a frozen shoulder for a long time a few years back.

She had gestational diabetes with our youngest and her Mum and brother have recently discovered they're pre-diabetic.

[saveloy]

I feel for you. At it's worst it's debilitating - I screamed every time I moved my arm during the last flare up.

I'm suffering with it at the moment in both shoulders, and have done for decades (I'm 54) and I see my physio every month. Unfortunately, it's likely you'll need to manage it from here on in a similar manner.
It's an auto-immune response - in my case it's Arthritis and Eczema. Diet can affect it too.

Best of luck.

Kyri

[Red9zero]

saveloy said:

I feel for you. At it's worst it's debilitating - I screamed every time I moved my arm during the last flare up.

I'm suffering with it at the moment in both shoulders, and have done for decades (I'm 54) and I see my physio every month. Unfortunately, it's likely you'll need to manage it from here on in a similar manner.
It's an auto-immune response - in my case it's Arthritis and Eczema. Diet can affect it too.

Best of luck.

Kyri

Thanks. I haven't screamed yet, but there has been some choice language I have arthritis too (since I was 25, so quite a while) and it is a similar pain, just a lot more intense. I had an MRI recently, for another condition, and lying still on a neck brace for 20 minutes was absolute agony. My diet on the way home was a sausage roll and doughnut from a posh farm shop, as the thought of that was all that kept me going for those very long 20 minutes !

[Huzzah]

Jolly painful, Mrs H had one, private op involving release and manipulation under general anaesthetic fixed it. A few yrs later I had one and decided to just man it out with cortisol injections.

Not sure the jabs helped but took 18-24months to worth through.

[Red9zero]

Huzzah said:

Jolly painful, Mrs H had one, private op involving release and manipulation under general anaesthetic fixed it. A few yrs later I had one and decided to just man it out with cortisol injections.

Not sure the jabs helped but took 18-24months to worth through.

I have private healthcare so that may be an option if the injection doesn't do much.

[Freakuk]

Wife had it, I took her to see the consultant that rebuilt my shoulder on a Saturday afternoon as I recall.

Same as above, did an x-ray confirmed what he thought, injection on the spot and pretty much fixed within a day or two, she did say it hurt like hell and felt like her shoulder was on fire for a few days.

Been alright since luckily.

[RizzoTheRat]

It's taken a year or so of physio on and off to almost sort mine out. He did 2 our 3 weeks and then have me sone exercises and see me every month or so

[borcy]

I've not but know someone that has, lots of physio, several injections only gave short term relief. Ended up having an op and then manipulation under GA. Still not right after 2 years.