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Surgery for frozen shoulder - anyone had it?

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L

Liz!

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
In October 2009, my OH got up early to take our son somewhere, and asked if I was ok before he left. I said yes - he bounced downstairs and out, but I found I couldn't move. Didn't remember anything else. 2 hours later on OH's return, I was unconscious on the floor beside the bed on my left side.

So - I think i probably injured that left arm as i had elbow problems after, went to the chiropractor in the end in March following, then we had our puppy and that made it worse - by last October I'd had shoulder problems for some time, and went to another chiropractor who made it worse!

I have been referred to a surgeon as in the diagnostic test for frozen shoulder I have lost 90% range of movement and I'm finding it hard to do things like wash under my arms, and take my clothes off at night!

BUT the surgeon says that he will cut through all the tendons in my shoulder and I'll have to have intensive physio while it's healing to make sure the tendons heal at their most extended - and that this is excruciating.

And my control is all over the pace as I am a brittle diabetic so it is dangerous.

Has anyone had this done, and if so can you give me a blow by blow account, no holds barred?
 
I know very little about it except a friend had it done as day surgery followed by physiotherapy and is now fully recovered.
 
I have a frozen shoulder (see poem on off the subject "A bit of fun") one of the suggestions the doc made was manipulation under local anaesthetic. I wonder if you could investigate whether that might be suitable for you?
 
Mine just became less painful over several months, so I pushed it as far as I could as it improved and I regained full range.

I think that some chiropractors may try to do more than they are qualified to do.

Rob
 
I had a manipulation under anaesthetic but was told that it would be much too painful to have it done under local anaesthetic. It was very painful for a while afterwards but manageable with strong painkillers. I wasn't aware of any tendons needing to be cut.
 
The 'manipulation' that you speak about is actually where they TEAR the tendons apart under anaesthetic!
 
I like to know how one gets a referral to a specialist!

My right shoulder has now been frozen since late 2008, and my left shoulder since 2009, apart from pain killers and one go at physio I've been offered nothing else, and my mobility is now down to about 35/40 degrees...

A lot of my inital pain has subsided, I would now discribe the pain as a sorness bruised feeling when moving, main discomfort period is at night as it disrupts my sleep and at times over night become very painfull... But sometimes I can kick the shoulder off, with a movement or jerk to the arms that causes major pain, it's so intense that I physically feel sick akin to breaking the top of my arm.. The arm and hands become numb and can take 30 minutes or so to recify..

I find first thing in the morning I have little to no movement in my arms, sometimes I can't move my hands because they are numb.. Can take a bit of time to get going, I do constantly move and try to push my arm past there limitations if I don't they cease and become very painful

The most frustrating part though, is how disabilating it can be, simple tasks can become impossible or take a long time to achieve as you struggle to carry them out... Do I get peeved when it takes me 30 minutes to wiggle myself out of bed in the morning as I didn't want to get up when Les got up for work at 5.30am and I hadn't got to sleep until 3am!

Or you have to wait until somebody comes home to finish of the baking, as you just can't managed to get the baking tin from the back of the cupboard!

I've sort of given up going to see my GP's (say this as never seem to see the same one) and nothing ever gets sorted or moved forwards..
 
Ellie - I can't imagine how awful to have it in both shoulders. One is more than enough, not surprised about the lack of mobility as my left one is like that. No one seems interested do they? Exercise seems to be the thing that has helped people. I certainly don't like the sound of the so called manipulation now. I was told it will get better on it's own after 2 years, but yours hasn't has it Ellie. Poor you.xx
 
I developed a frozen shoulder 14 months ago and it was excruciatingly painful and I could hardly lift my right arm. 14 months on nearly all the pain has gone and I can lift my arm about halfway up, so I'm hoping I will be fully recovered after the 2 years I was told it would take. I've never been offered any help or advice except to exercise it!🙄
 
Apparently it can get better after two years or so. My Consultant doesn't seem to think mine will, but I'm having an MRI first and I'll decide after seeing that. I haven't had it THAT long, but I think the Consultant thought I had.

If you want to be referred Ellie, just go in and say. look up who is the best in your area at this sort of thing and give the Dr the name. You have a right to request treatment. The patient charter states:

You have a right to receive the most appropriate care available which will be given by suitably qualified staff at your surgery. This includes being referred to a specialist where necessary.

As your frozen shoulder has not improved over the two years then you are unlikely to improve without surgery and should request a referral, stating the problems which you are having. If they say no, then say you would like to complain to know the procedure for complaint. Which they should then tell you. but I suspect if you go in sure of yourself, you will get a referral.
 
Last edited:
Liz! said:
The 'manipulation' that you speak about is actually where they TEAR the tendons apart under anaesthetic!
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Now I don't feel such a wimp that I was taking really strong painkillers afterwards!
 
Hi Liz I had an MRI and it was clear. However the arthroscopy after the MUA confirmed that it was definitely frozen shoulder
I only got a referral to a surgeon after I ended up in A & E in absolute agony. The MUA , followed by physio exercises every day certainly helped a lot although I still have some stiffness in my right shoulder. My left shoulder flared up a few months ago and now the pain regularly wakes me up at night when I lay on it when I'm sleeping. I'm doing my physic exercises to it to try to reduce the increased stiffness but the exercises are painful even though I take both paracetamol and ibuprofen an hour before starting the stretching. The only reason that I wouldn't consider an MUA on my left shoulder is because of the other challenges that I'm having with my eyes etc. I would strongly recommend doing physic exercises as often as you can together with pain relief. Heat patches and cold eg. Frozen peas placed on the shoulder can also help but that is just my opinion and not a medical recommendation
 
Hi Liz,

I have had the operation. It was painful afterwards - but the rewards were worth it. I could hardly do anything with my arm before the operation and now it is back to 95% of full use. The physio is the hardest part and you have to push yourself to do it otherwise the arm will sieze up again.😱🙂Bev
 
Thanks for your answers everyone! I'm not realy that good with pain, and since I've nevr even had a headache I'm not sure I'd be able to deal with it. Got an earache the other night, first time since a child (had the swine flu vaccine) and didn't have nay pain killers in the house!
 
Liz! said:
Thanks for your answers everyone! I'm not realy that good with pain, and since I've nevr even had a headache I'm not sure I'd be able to deal with it. Got an earache the other night, first time since a child (had the swine flu vaccine) and didn't have nay pain killers in the house!
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Hi Liz

I do understand your fears, but I would urge you to ask for advice as it could be that you end up not being able to even move your arm - I dont mean to worry you unecessarily - but it just deteriorates until you cant even brush your own teeth. Painkillers are a lot better these days and I am sure your Doctor would be able to reassure you.🙂Bev
 
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