Quote:
Originally Posted by mjl1261
My husband was diagnosed in Oct/2009 with CRPS in his hand.

Around New Years he started complaining of a stiff shoulder. I nagged him to mention it when he went to PT but he put it off for 3 weeks until I finally went with him and asked them myself.

We were certain they would say his CRPS had spread, but his ortho diagnosed him with frozen shoulder and he started PT for that at the end of January. He has worked his tail off on his exercises and now has about 95% of his range of motion back.

So I would say, it certainly could be CRPS, but it's not necessarily that. You should get a diagnosis and some exercises to do on your back and shoulder. I truly believe that activity is key.

Good luck!

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Hi, Frozen shoulder is often another name for RSD in the shoulder. RSD used to be called shoulder-hand syndrome. I got frozen shouldler following breast biopsy. took 100 psysical therapy treatments to get full range back. The therapist told me to not be surprised if it went to the other shoulder- and it did. I now have full body RSD.
Go to rsdrx.com It is from Dr.Hooshmand who practiced RSD for 40 years-now retired but still has his website still up. Under puzzles List he has 146 questions-one of which is about frozen shoulder-please read. The puzzles are actually 146 questions with his answers. Hope the best for your husband.
Water therapy is excellent-temp needs to be 86 degrees. Hot tubs too hot.
Let us know how he is. I used a tens unit Dr. diagnosed for me. It is not invasive and worked well.
I was diagnosed for 4 years. After getting range of motion back, it did move to other shoulder. more therapy. Then went to hand of original shoulder. I was misdiagnosed with RA, but flew to orthopedic group in another state and diagnosed with RSD in 1 minute by ortho hand specialist.
Besides physical therapy, something that helped me was I always did a light massage therapy-full body for an hour before the physical therapy. I did it on my own and believe that is why I don't have skin sensitivity. I also did therapy at home. My therapist had me get 5-6 plastic bowls and put cotton balls, rice, coffee grounds, pieces of cloth, beans and run my hands,feet etc thru the different textures. I don't have allodoynia-sensitivity to wind, clothes etc.
Please let us know how things are going. One of your new friends, loretta

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I am paying close attention to any/all complaints he has about stiffness, lack of range of motion, etc. We initially suspected CRPS spreading when they diagnosed frozen shoulder and I was very surprised that the ortho didn't mention it. I argued strongly for him to go to HBOT treatments but the only place in our state (OK) that has hard-sided chambers is a 2-hour drive each way. And I'm happy to do that and can afford the treatments (thank God) but he doesn't want to take the time from work or pay the money if they can't promise he'll improve ("only" an 80% chance!). At the next sign of spreading, I am going to insist.

So far I'm counting us among the lucky who are battling this condition. He has never had allydonia. I have always participated in his at-home therapy and I think that's played a large part. Compared to others who post here, his symptoms are very minor and we have no business complaining about anything!

Thanks for your insights. I appreciate them all, even if they're not exactly what I want to hear. It keeps me focused.