shoulder problems again

[Birky]

As you all know, I had shoulder surgery last year which ended up with a second surgery from a hematoma . To make a long story short, after 6 mos of physical therapy, I now have a frozen shoulder which is very painful and limits your use of the arm. Also, heaven forbid if you should roll on it at night.I see the Dr. at the end of the month and I think the only alternative is to go back in and get out the scar tissue which means another stay in the hospital and all that bridging stuff. Has anyone had surgery for a frozen shoulder. I wouldn't wish this on anyone because it is very painful. Needless to say, we are just finishing paying off physical therapy and really don't want to go through this again. It is very frustrating but what other option is there? They have tried a JAS brace that I used at home but irritated the radial nerve so I had to stop using it. Would you go through another surgery or just suck it up and tough it out.

 

[Cooker]

Marcia.....I am sorry you are having these troubles. I don't have any words of wisdom. Wishing you the best.

 

[Freddie]

Hi Marcia,
Like Cooker, not much wisdom here either. But if surgery will relieve some or most of the pain, really,what other choice does one have. If I had that kind of pain, I'd go for the surgery. But thats just me.
I wish you the best.

 

[bvdr]

Birky, I am so sorry! You may remember that I've been plagued by a touchy shoulder for years and then it was a toss-up on what was causing my arm problems...the shoulder or the neck. I've always thought it to be a combination of the two. I've had a frozen shoulder before and I think it was called capsulitis or something like that as well as bursitis and rotator cuff problems as well and then there was a bad fall wedged in there somewhere. I had numerous injections in the joint, courses of steroids, and months of physical therapy. No surgery on the shoulder though. I just had the neck done a few weeks ago.The frozen shoulder just eventually loosened up on it's own but maybe the root cause of it determines how it is treated. I have heard of times when it is rather forcibly moved back and forth to loosen it us while the patient is sedated with concious sedation like Versed. I don't know if I would have repeat surgery or just tough it out. That is a hard choice. I guess it depends how much it is affecting your quality of life. I hope it starts clearing for you. Do you have pain meds? Let us know how you do.

 

[hensylee]

the moment I saw your subject, I though of Betty and by golly, she's right here already.

I don't have any advice for you either. I have arthritis in many joints, esp shoulder and when I lift, sometimes it just makes me stop mid-movement, from pain. So I can empathize with you on that score, except mine comes and goes. I am so sorry and wish you well. I know you will make a good decision. Blessins......

 

[Birky]

thanks

thanks

Thanks for your replies. I have Ultram which doesn't do much but it is better than nothing. From what I understand, my shoulder became frozen from being in a sling for 11 days and this formed scar tissue and will not go away by itself. The therapist tried breaking this up but with no success. It is affecting my neck and back of my shoulder and all the way down the my arm. I just got a call back from his nurse and said that he would have to evaluate me and go from there. I do have an appointment on 10/30 unless they can get me in sooner. I think if I have to take off more work I could get fired. It seems that I have had a surgery every year.

 

[Bina]

Oh, boy, I understand messed up shoulders.....painful, painful.
Maybe that's why I didn't need painkillers after my OHS.

I had rotator cuff tendinitis for years and had to learn to live with alot of pain since I did not want to be on too many meds. Then I found a great physio clinic where I got good treatments. I showed up there with my arm "frozen and locked" on the side of my body....One treatment was dexamethasone administered with electrical current for the pain down my arm. Other times the pain would radiate up my neck. I had ice, heat, massage, ultra sound and stretching.

When I was younger my GP had given me a cortisone injection in the shoulder, THAT was bad.....if I could have cut off my arm I would have.
I refused surgery.
The physio clinic was the way to go "for me" and I am still very careful not to overstretch or over use my arms.
Best wishes, Birky.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry, I can't help you with your questions but I wanted to send you best wishes. I hope this is resolved successfully for you soon.

 

[aussigal]

I'm sorry to hear of your shoulder troubles...It sounds to be every bit as disabling as my dodgy elbow. After 3 years of continuous trouble with my elbow and trying very hard to avoid surgery the only relief I get is from resting the elbow and from icing it or applying heat with one of those packs. I also rely alot on the heat/cooling therapy creams available. I take Tramadol for Arthritis in my back and to help with my golfers elbow...it is a slow-release version of Ultram...it doesnt help alot but is better than nothing and in my opinion preferable to narcotics which is apparently the next step in drug therapy. Cortisone shots have been of benefit in the early stages of disease/pain. I dont know if you have tried these yet or if they would help in your case.