Symtoms: Can’t raise arm, severe shoulder pain.
Diagnosis: Frozen shoulder.
Remedy: Physical therapy, acupuncture, and … ?
Over the summer, while playing with my youngest daughter, I injured my arm. Pearl wanted to hang from a wire secured between two poles near the tack shed. The wire had supported a canvas shade which had torn and had been removed. I pulled the taught wire down, and she grasped it, letting her feet dangle. Then, unexpectedly (at least to me), she let go, sending the wire (with my arm attached) up in the air. The pain was intense! I felt like my arm had been ripped off. But I did nothing. I didn’t seek medical advice, and just used my arm as little as possible.
My arm didn’t heal. In fact, it got worse. I couldn’t sleep on that side, and the pain woke me several times a night. When I couldn’t raise my arm to shave my armpit, I knew I had a problem. I made an appointment with my chiropractor that day.
The good news is I didn’t tear anything. The bad news is I have frozen shoulder. The doctor began treatment, and showed me exercises I can do at home. During my 4th visit, the doctor tried acupuncture. My range of motion improved slightly. I have one more visit scheduled, and if I don’t show progress, he is passing me off to a Physical Therapist. My doctor says my options will not be pleasant: cortizone injections, forced movement, and/or MUA (movement under anethesia). Strangely enough, reports say this condition can go away on its own within a 2 year span.
• Have you been affected by Frozen Shoulder?
• Have you giving anyone the cold shoulder?
Comment By: niceinohio
October 4th, 2013 at 10:34 am
My better half had that recently. She did the therapy thing and it helped. Hope you get un-frozen soon!
Comment By: Jean
October 4th, 2013 at 10:38 am
Thank you, Lee! I WANT to thaw. 🙂 I hope your wife is fully recovered.
Comment By: Rach
October 4th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
My mom actually had this happen to her while we were living in China. There the name for it is “50’s Shoulder” which offended my mom who was in her early 40’s at the time. 😉 Anyway, they had her do these crazy exercises with her arm (probably similar to the things you’d do in physical therapy) and it actually worked! She got full range of motion back after a couple of months. 🙂
Comment By: Jean
October 4th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
That gives me hope, Rach! I only know 3 of the crazy exercises and am looking online for more.
Comment By: Jen
October 4th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
never heard of that but it sounds painful. I hope it heals soon though!
Comment By: Jean
October 4th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Thanks, Jen! I’m going to keep my fingers crossed. The acupuncture may have helped me progress. I feel sore/stiff, but not in pain today.
Comment By: richard tripp
October 5th, 2013 at 7:10 am
I had a similar issue 10 or so years ago after a motorcycle crash. After the prescribed exercises, it slowly improved, over a period or 3-4 months. I feel your pain.
Comment By: Jean
October 5th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Thanks, Dick! I’m glad to hear over a relatively short amount of time, I will be okay. Have a great weekend!
Comment By: Krysten
October 5th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Yikes, that does not sound like fun. I hope you have a quick recovery!
Comment By: Jean
October 5th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Thank you, Krysten. I’m seeing improvement since the acupuncture.
Comment By: Luisa Doraz
October 5th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Well, I was not happy to hear your news. I never heard of this. I am sure that in time, it will get better. I guess you have to decide what treatment option, or you can just wait it out. OUCH to both ideas. Stay well.
Comment By: Jean
October 7th, 2013 at 11:23 am
Thank you, Luisa. I’ll do my best to get better. I hope you never experience frozen shoulder.
Comment By: elle sees
October 7th, 2013 at 3:59 am
i haven’t heard of that! oh no! hope you’re able to heal quickly. i have a damaged ulnar nerve, which needed surgery, but it still bothers me sometimes.
congrats to your hub!! gorgeous dress!
Comment By: Jean
October 7th, 2013 at 11:23 am
I had to google ulnar nerve. Ouch! Yours sounds painful!
Thank you for the congrats to my hubby, and for the compliments on the dress! It was a special evening.
Comment By: Jayda
October 7th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Oh no, that sounds awful! I hope it gets better as soon as possible. I had never heard of frozen shoulder before! Ouch 🙁
Comment By: Jean
October 7th, 2013 at 11:20 am
Thank you, Jayda! I feel like my reach is improving, but woke at 4am in pain. ::: bummer :::
Comment By: Angelia Sims
October 9th, 2013 at 8:58 am
That is sooo freaky! My husband has a very bad shoulder that happened just “one day”. He had an MRI and they said it was like arthritis and related to his lupus. He has zero relief. I need to show him this!
Comment By: Jean
October 9th, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Angelia, I hope your hubby finds relief! Maybe he does have frozen shoulder!
Comment By: TotalShoulderMD
September 27th, 2016 at 4:05 am
Hi Jean,
So sorry to hear that you faced frozen shoulder problem!! My sister had the same issue of frozen shoulder. She preferred to consult with a shoulder doctor and believe me this is worthy decision she took at initial stage.
The shoulder complex is highly innervated, making rehab a less than comfortable option as treatment. Those individuals who have a low tolerance for any form of pain or discomfort will often scrap their program if results are not seen immediately.
Thanks & Regards