Frozen Shoulder

[luv2cheer92]

Yes, the manual is an integral part of PT.

 

[Kennywood]

Try a visit to a good chiropractor.

 

[Music City Mama]

but also did several types of massage

I will be thrilled if this is part of my treatment! I know it wouldn't be a like a relaxing/spa massage, but I think I could benefit from that.

I know you said you are against the PT, but the exercises I did there were secondary to the "stretching"

I'm not against PT, in fact, I'm going for my first session on Friday, I'm just against spending $1,200 in one month on it.

For clarification, the exercises I've been doing at home are stretching exercises. They aren't comfortable and some get a little on the painful side, but I try to be very aware of not overdoing it. Like the one where you put a towel over your shoulder and grab the bottom with your affected arm behind your back and have the good arm slowly try to raise the affected arm. Ouch. I can only get it to the most lower part of my back, but a few days ago, I couldn't get it above my butt, so progress. The stretches that feel the best are wall stretches (stretching the armpit area). I think if I can get the PT moving some things for me initially, I can get away with going a lot less than 12 times over the course of a month. I'm also wondering per @luv2cheer92's post if it's actually not something else. I'm just grateful that I'm not in constant pain.

 

[Music City Mama]

Try a visit to a good chiropractor.

I may at some point after some PT sessions -- we'll see how it goes...

 

[luv2cheer92]

Try a visit to a good chiropractor.

Can I ask why you would visit a chiropractor over a PT? Curious, especially for something like the OP has going on.

 

[DisBud]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean you were against it like not willing to go. I meant looking for other options as well since it is so expensive, which I TOTALLY understand. I just meant I really don't think I could have made it through so quickly without PT.

I will say to call it "stretching" is putting it nicely. I cried. While my PT had all of his body weight on my arm in certain positions to break up the tissue. There is no way I would have accomplished that on my own.

 

[Music City Mama]

I will say to call it "stretching" is putting it nicely. I cried. While my PT had all of his body weight on my arm in certain positions to break up the tissue.

Here's to hoping they're not that aggressive with me.

 

[lifesavacation]

I’ve had it. I don’t want to freak you out, but it lasted 2 years and was really painful for the first year. I have nearly all of my range of motion back. I went to PT about 4 months in and gained some ROM back, but the pain it caused wasn’t worth it. Pain management was my biggest issue. I had a horrible time sleeping. Even the tiniest movement would send a lightening bolt of pain through my arm. I was diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist so I’d start there if you are looking for a diagnosis. My PCP wanted to MRI and thought I tore something but the ortho said I was classic for frozen shoulder.

ETA: You should ask your dr when PT is most beneficial. I went religiously during the freezing stage and it only caused more pain. My PCP said it’s best done during the thawing phase, but YMMV. I stopped going when I plateaued in the freezing phase based on the PT rec, and I gained back most of my ROM naturally as it thawed without any PT.

I still don’t have a full 90 degrees of external shoulder rotation so I may go back for a session or two just to get that last bit of ROM.

 

[mom2rtk]

Mine started in December of 2018. I'm still having issues. Then last year I started having trouble with my right arm. Not exactly sure what happened there, but my hunch is that since I started doing everything with my right arm when the left one was frozen, I hurt it in some way.

Like you OP, I have terrible insurance and everything I did was at my own expense (working toward the very large deductible I never meet).

I've had 2 injections my left shoulder and 2 in my right now. The first one in the left was long overdue and helped immensely. The 2 in the right were in different places and one of them helped.

Earlier this summer I finally broke down and started about 2 months of PT for the right arm (although they also gave advice on the left). It all helped a lot and I have most of my range of motion back. Mostly now my shoulders are just stiff a lot. Not sure if there's anything else I can do with that or if that's just my new normal at 58.

I feel for you OP. If someone told me I had to go back and start over with my frozen shoulder I'd probably sit down and cry. It's worth it to get at least a handful of visits to PT in. Be honest and tell them you need to get instruction on things you can do at home.

 

[mom2rtk]

I’ve had it. I don’t want to freak you out, but it lasted 2 years and was really painful for the first year. I have nearly all of my range of motion back. I went to PT about 4 months in and gained some ROM back, but the pain it caused wasn’t worth it. Pain management was my biggest issue. I had a horrible time sleeping. Even the tiniest movement would send a lightening bolt of pain through my arm. I was diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist so I’d start there if you are looking for a diagnosis. My PCP wanted to MRI and thought I tore something but the ortho said I was classic for frozen shoulder.

ETA: You should ask your dr when PT is most beneficial. I went religiously during the freezing stage and it only caused more pain. My PCP said it’s best done during the thawing phase, but YMMV. I stopped going when I plateaued in the freezing phase based on the PT rec, and I gained back most of my ROM naturally as it thawed without any PT.

I still don’t have a full 90 degrees of external shoulder rotation so I may go back for a session or two just to get that last bit of ROM.

Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I didn't go to PT early but did try some exercises given to me by the Ortho and never did figure out how anyone managed to actually do them. In retrospect, I was in the freezing stage and I just don't think that was going to happen. So I agree asking about the best time to do them is a great idea. I also think it's a good idea to get the shoulder injection then go do the PT so the 2 can work together.

Just curious, how long ago did your start? I'm pretty happy with the range of motion I've gotten back. Just not happy with the residual stiffness. I need to start the exercises again I'm sure, I just haven't had time.

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing to keep in mind, OP, is that even if you are 100% responsible for the cost of PT because it goes toward your deductible, you will likely only pay a heavily discounted price, based on the negotiated rate between your insurance company and the provider (if you are in network). My visits billed out at $291 each. The negotiated rate required that the provider discount $206 leaving $85 per session due.

 

[lifesavacation]

Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I didn't go to PT early but did try some exercises given to me by the Ortho and never did figure out how anyone managed to actually do them. In retrospect, I was in the freezing stage and I just don't think that was going to happen. So I agree asking about the best time to do them is a great idea. I also think it's a good idea to get the shoulder injection then go do the PT so the 2 can work together.

Just curious, how long ago did your start? I'm pretty happy with the range of motion I've gotten back. Just not happy with the residual stiffness. I need to start the exercises again I'm sure, I just haven't had time.

I noticed mine was getting bad in Dec of 2019. I had 2 instances of what I call zingers that would drop me to my knees and take my breath away. I had barely done anything and had this huge pain response. COVID started getting bad so I put off going to the doctor for awhile. Then when I did get in, PT wasn’t considered an essential service for me so I couldn’t get in for PT until month 4 of my frozen shoulder. I went twice a week for 3 months.

My shoulder actually feels great. I’m back to doing planks everyday and working out. My arm is still a little weaker and flabbier but it’s getting there. I’m terrified I’m going to get it in the other shoulder. I think I have about a 50 percent chance of that happening.

 

[Disney Ella]

I know you said you are against the PT, but the exercises I did there were secondary to the "stretching". That isn't the right term, it was rather like torture where the therapist used body weight to basically break apart the inflammation through "stretching". Then I would do some light exercises that really were not difficult, nor did I think were particularly helpful. When I was cut loose, he did show me some stretches I could do on my own and he told me to continue the only exercise that did seem to work that part of my shoulder.

I also think the PT assistant breaking apart the adhesions was what helped me recover, although I'm sure the exercises were helpful. I got 90 percent of the range of motion back in my shoulder after three months with PT. A few years later, my other shoulder froze. This time I just decided to do the exercises at home. It took a year to get better, so I doubt the exercises were really helping.

Although it's painful (brought tears to my eyes), breaking up the adhesions seems to be the quickest way to improve range of motion in the shoulder.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Who has had it? How long did you have it? Any tips/tricks to make it more bearable or go away quicker?

I've had it. I was off work for 7 weeks and went to physical therapy. I had 2 cortisone injections. I took two prescription meds, one for pain and another I don't remember what for. I'm right handed and it was my right shoulder. I couldn't even lift my arm to put a fork in my mouth or brush my teeth. I had to learn to put on socks with one hand. I couldn't put my bra on by myself and I couldn't tie any shoes. Not fun! It was about 14 years ago and I still have some shoulder pain that I deal with daily. When I over do it, Ice and/or heat help.

 

[KPeterso]

I had frozen shoulder about 10 years ago after a fall getting into the shower. Slipped and hit the wall hard with my shoulder and could barely move it the next day and was in extreme pain. My doctor did x-rays and then prescribed physical therapy (oh and a pain med and 800 mg ibuprofen). I did about 4 weeks of PT before going back to my doctor and then another 2 as recommended by the PT to my doctor who ordered it. I believe I went 2 times a week (may have been 3). The stretching and range of motion exercises helped a ton. And then at the end of the session, he would do additional stretching and massage on the shoulder to help loosen it even more. It got back to being able to go 180 degrees up but it is still stiff a lot and is hard to get over the full 360. I feel it will never be 100% again.