Frozen Shoulder/Bursitis/ NOW TORN ROTATOR CUFF

[mommasita]

I was unable to move for a few days, headed to the ER yesterday... This was my diagnosis

I received a cortisone shot (OUCH) and some anti-inflamm, and morphine for pain... I realize it is just over 24 hours, but wondered if others have gone this route, and if so, what kind of recovery time for some type of relief..

My shoulder feels like I am being stabbed, right where I received the shot..

 

[cepmom]

I developed frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) post shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and separated AC joint, so not exactly the same as yours I don't think.

I would recommend going to a good orthpedic Dr for an evaluation. I was in PT for 5 months post op and I still have to work on stretching and strengthening every day. My PT told me frozen shoulder is the single most painful non-surgical shoulder condition. PT has helped me so much to regain movement.

I did not have any cortisone, but I took Advil pretty much around the clock for months. Have you tried icing at all? I wonder if that will help...I found ice to be pretty helpful but your mileage may vary. I hope you start to feel better soon, shoulder pain is no fun

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I have chronic bursitis. I've had it in my shoulders, but mainly get it in my hips and knees. (I have some sort of hip mutation - it's a known thing, but sort of uncommon. So I think my "hip model," while workable, is probably not the best of the options available.)

When it gets bad, I go in and get both the shots and the pills, it's usually about a week or a week and a half before I'm mostly better, give or take.

I do ice, but as a preventative measure. After every run I put ice packs on my knees and hips for as long as I can stand it. Seems to help.

 

[Lindymagoo]

I developed frozen shoulder a few years back. Go get yourself a good ortho. I did one cortisone injection and then PT for a couple of months. Luckily, that did the trick for me. No surgical intervention needed. I had a very good response to therapy. No recurrence. I still do stretches if I feel any tightening in my neck/shoulder area, though.

 

[Adipoo]

I had idiopathic frozen shoulder a few years back. Quite the painful little problem. I had a couple cortisone injections, pain meds, and 4 months of physical therapy. I never regained full range of motion, but enough to make me happy. I still do major stretching exercises because I feel it getting tightened up at times and will do anything to avoid going through that again.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Wendy31]

My mother was diagnosed w/ a frozen shoulder a couple of years ago, & her doctor prescribed PT. I can't remember how long she went to PT - maybe 3 months or so?

 

[Jaya]

Because of bone spurs in my shoulder, I got to where my range of motion was practically non-existent; couldn't even put on a coat without help. I had a Mumford Procedure. They "saw" a little off the end of your collarbone, I guess to make more room. Outpatient surgery. They did everything through three tiny holes, so minimal scarring. I was in a sling for a week and then had six weeks of PT. Within about six months - keeping up with my exercises - I had 95% of my motion back. I was very happy with the procedure and was just mad I didn't have it done earlier. Cortisone shots did no good whatsoever.

 

[carrie1626]

I was off of work for 7 weeks. That was 6 yrs ago.

Ironically, my shoulder is killing me today exactly as it did when that nightmare started 6 yrs ago.

Good luck to you.

When I finally got in to see an orthepedic specialist and he looked at my xrays and sighed and said I was "an interesting case", I knew I was in trouble.
Basically he told me, it could flare again anytime. But I've been able to live with the pain and avoid surgery.. But I do have pain in my shoulder and neck area every single day.

 

[mommasita]

Wow.Thanks everyone.

I have done some ice.. I have a follow up in 2 weeks time...

 

[AllyBri]

I have frozen shoulder. I fell and broke my shoulder and did rehab for 2 months, it's much better but will never be perfect again. But I can live with the sucess that I have had.
Feel better.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was unable to move for a few days, headed to the ER yesterday... This was my diagnosis

I received a cortisone shot (OUCH) and some anti-inflamm, and morphine for pain... I realize it is just over 24 hours, but wondered if others have gone this route, and if so, what kind of recovery time for some type of relief..

My shoulder feels like I am being stabbed, right where I received the shot..

They did and EKG and blood work to make sure you were not having a heart attack right? (Just checking)

See your PCP or a good ortho and get into some physical therapy once the inflammation goes down.

Long term, you are going to need to start exercising to build up strength.

I am in PT for my foot, which is because of my back that I injured 3yrs ago.

Bottom line I am taking it very seriously this time around because this sucks.

Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

 

[mmouse37]

A few years ago pain began in my mid arm and got progressively worse over a few months (did not want to go to a dr) and finally I could not lift my arm at all and the pain was getting worse and worse. I went to an Ortho for x-rays and said it was "frozen shoulder" even though the pain was much lower in my arm.

Did 8 weeks of PT and it hurt like heck. I would leave in tears but it worked. Have not had a problem since. I remember the "break through" day in PT when while working on my arm we heard it "snap, crackle and pop" and since that day my range of motion kept improving with the PT. No shots, no surgery, just PT.

MJ

 

[piglet50]

had frozen shoulder on both left and right sides about ten years apart. The first time i got the cortizone shot and it didn't help. tried pt and it was painful but it worked. i have almost full motion. the second shoulder episode i immediately began the pt exercises from before. very good results for me. try pt before any surgery would be my suggestion. good luck to you.

 

[mommasita]

No bloodwork.. I am a regular though, so no fears.
I am currently in physio (or I was) to rehab from brain and spinal surgeries.. Everything seemed to be going ok..I guess we will re access this.

Funny MJ, the original pain was lower in my arm. Thursday it just seemed to be everywhere. I knew it was time to go..

Had a sleepless night. My husband said when I seemed to be asleep, I just was crying out.. Hoping each day gets better..

Thanks for all your thoughts and experiences...I will see what they suggest when I go for my follow up. I just would like to be able to rest a little, if not sleep..

 

[Micca]

No experience with this but so sorry you're having to go through this. I think they'd have to sedate me just to give me a cortisone shot. Hope the treatment is effective and they can find a permanent fix for you.

 

[Jaya]

Those cortisone shots can be killers. I had to get one in my thigh this year. The orthopedist said he was going to have to shoot it deep into my thigh. I asked if it would hurt. He smirked and said "Oh, big time." I asked him if I could hold his testicles while he was administering the shot. He declined and we had a good laugh about it. Then he stuck the needle in my thigh and I just about climbed the wall. I have to get another one in my wrist next week and I.AM.NOT.LOOKING.FORWARD.TO.IT!

 

[mommasita]

Thanks. Yes, most definitely painful.. It is stuck where there just is ZERO fat on a person... I asked him is it going to hurt, and he said Yes with that look..

I am writing this at 3am, because again I have too much pain to sleep... Well, hoping it gets better..

 

[powellrj]

Have you tried sleeping upright? When I am having shoulder pain, I find sleeping in the recliner helps. Also are you taking an anti inflammatory? That helps me more than anything. I seem to get the most help from my anti inflammatory meds and PT.

 

[Northstar]

I had a frozen shoulder about 3 years ago. No cortisone shots. Took anti-inflammatory drugs for about 2 months.

It stopped hurting in a resting position, or when something bumped me, after about 2 months. Then I started physical therapy and learned that wow, just cause it doesn't hurt when you don't move it doesn't mean it won't hurt when you do move it!

Did about 4 months of 2X a week physical therapy, till my insurance ran out, then just did the exercises they gave me on my own.

After a year, I had my full range of motion back again.

Ugh, you have my sympathy. Frozen shoulders are no fun at all.

 

[mommasita]

I have tried sleeping in all positions, except upright. I may do that tonight.

Yes, I have MS-Ir for pain and Vimova as an anti inflamm..

Thannks.. I guess time will do it, and some therapy.