Frozen shoulder
 

So, been with PT now about a month. Had tendinitis in left shoulder for about 2 months before. Went to chiropractor for adhesion release.
Said my shoulder was frozen and can't do treatment. (mrsD predicted this could happen).
Recommended steroid shot.
I have very painful SFN all over body now for more than a year.
What do you all think?
I know from others that the steroid shot does not really speed up anything.
I am concerned with the SFN that it could get WORSE.
Suggestions? Ideas?
TIA

Hi, I've had 2 shoulders messed up for probably going on 10 yrs or more by now. In the early days I had PT work done and was told "don't let them freeze". I've also had dextrose Prolotherapy in the right shoulder which helped a lot for 3 yrs.

I don't know if you checked with a reputable chiropractor if they could move the shoulder. I keep moving both mine and I do have pain but liveable. I don't know if a steroid shot would make the sfn worse. Sorry .. C

Just thinking if the PT could work with ultrasound or laser while trying to move the shoulder...thinking out loud as I'm going to a chiro now for all the modalities she has to help with my issues.

I had a frozen shoulder years ago and acupuncture was tried. I could not continue with the whole course of treatment as it set off my Neuropathic Facial Pain - I had needles in my head and neck as well as shoulder - but I have heard of and read a number of cases where acupuncture along with PT has been beneficial.

May be worth a try before jumping into the shots.

Dave.

Thank you Dave. How did your resolve and what was its course like?

I saw my chiro today for my weekly treatments and she did a lot of activator work on my shoulders and I told her my history but that shoulders were not frozen.

I asked her if she works on frozen shoulders and she said Yes that she uses Grafton tools which she is certified in. As far as steroid shot she said it would not unfreeze, might give some pain relief but work needs to be done to get that working again. The tools she showed me were a metal and a chiro goes in and works out the problem in the shoulder.

Hope you find your help. C

Tia,

I have had some shoulder problems over the years (along with other joints) and received steroid shots as various times in shoulders (several years ago), both hips (just last month), and knee (before the knee was replaced). I have NOT had any problem with the steroid shots increasing and/or flaring my neuropathy. Where did you hear that it would make it worse? Did your neurologist says this? I just can't imagine why it would make it worse. The steroid is localized in the area given and does not spread throughout the body.

Give it some thought and talk to the doctor about it as well. Maybe they can put your mind at ease by giving you an idea whether they have had other patients with same SFN...without any problems with shots.

It took almost 9 months of manipulation (after the acupuncture) and gentle exercising before I was able to use my arm properly. What made it particularly painful and difficult to manage was that it was the arm I use for my walking stick. Horrendously painful to even attempt to walk assisted, I was virtually housebound apart from Hospital/Doctor appts.

Slowly, things improved and eventually the problem resolved completely.

Dave.

Just did not want any more interventions, as I think all the interventions (surgery and antibiotics) got me where I am.

Thanks so much.

Hi Baba,

I had a frozen shoulder several years ago (before SFN) and had a shot, which helped slightly. I let it heal on it's own, it took about a year and all I did was not sleep on my left side. They say PT can speed up the process.

Cliffman :)

Yes, thank you. It seems like there are so many ideas about this. Heat/cold, cold/heat, only cold, only heat.
PT speeds it up, nothing does.

Going to PT, as they helped me with gait training. My feet get numb intermittently and I have fallen several times.

Hope you are adjusting okay.