Frozen Shoulder

emeraldbay · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 03:14 PM

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Anyone out there suffer or has suffered from FROZEN SHOULDER SYNDROME. Not a very common ailment but quite common with diabetes (20% of cases). It has similar symtoms to a torn rotator cuff and requires PAINFUL OT sessions for at least one year.

Most recover fully.....except diabetics. We can lose signifcant range of motion in our arm. Surgey is one option and I was wondering if anyone out there has had the surgery and if they found any significant improvement!

Belinda · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 07:12 PM

Boy that is yet another surgery I have had due to diabetes. I was swinging on a zip line in a park when I heard my shoulder pop. Didn't experience too much pain but later the range of motion just decreased. I had the surgery and it was very successful. Also therapy to boot afterwards but am happy I had it done. I tried therapy before surgery but it didn't help so my next choice was the OR. The only draw back was that it took forever for the anethesia to wear off and I began to panic but 36 hours later I got the feeling back in my arm and hand. It is hard to go to the bathroom with that dead weight! LOL

snakeye · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 06:06 PM

What tha heck..
Why in the **** does that happen really?

Poor circulation, deformation of bones because of some reason?

duck · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 06:19 PM

Yeah, this freaks me out! I have never heard of this...I lift weights a lot as I enjoy the sport of "bodybuilding" (no, I don't look the part, ha ha!), and now I'm going to be paranoid to do shoulder presses and the like...More details, please!

Belinda · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 01:02 PM

My docs answer was there is really no expaination why it happens more frequently in diabetics but it does. My best guess is that you call an orthopedic and ask or check online. Just keep lifting weights and don't worry unless you hurt yourself then if it stiffens up you will know. Sorry not much more info. I just wished at that time I was not playing on the playground like a big kid but all is well and lesson learned

emeraldbay · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 06:16 PM

Belinda thanks for your information.......I find it helpful. You mentioned that you heard something "pop" & later had decreased ROM to that shoulder. I understand that "frozen shoulder" comes on it's own, not from an injury. What time of surgery did you have? What was the name of the procedure. Most orthopedics don't recommend surgery unless absolutely necessary. I will let my orthopedist know that surgery may be an option for me if I know the name of your sucessful procedure.
thanks

runningscared · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2003, 07:39 AM

Yup, i too have had FS. I was out sawing up a huge tree that had come down in a wind storm and had crushed my car. I also felt a ping in my shoulder/arm and thought , heck thats going to hurt in the morning. Strangely it did not? About 2 weeks later my arm began to stiffen and I continude to loose a signifcant range of motion in my arm and shoulder. Well, I thought I had just buggered the thing up, and it would get better with time. It didnt. Went to the doc, told it was pos a rotator cuff thingy, but he wasn't sure. Any who, as Doc couldn't do anything but cut in, and I couldnt afford Physio, I continude to do my own exercises on the arm and shoulder, gradually lifting my arm away from my side higher and higher each day for about 4-6 weeks. Viola. let thee be healed. The most inportant thing I have learned since becoming diabetic is you really have to be your own doctor, and read, understand and participate in forums such as this one.

Good Health

Belinda · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2003, 04:49 PM

Well the name of the surgery I am not sure but this is what he did. Made 3 small incisions on my right shoulder and orthoscopically loosened it ( I am sure if I was awake this would have hurt like @#%$) and moved it around. The very next day I was in physical therapy working that arm and doing the exercises 2x's more at home. I did try therapy before surgery and it didn't increase my range of motion.

If you need to know the specific name I will look in my files just email or pm me,but I am currently working on a project for my grad class and oh yeah there is that thing called work I do everyday. lol

notme · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 11:41 PM

I also have had frozen shoulder. I had no injury that I remember, it just started stiffening up one day. I had PT for about three months with no help. Went back to the ortho and he sent me back for more PT. This went on for more than a year and a half. I finally decided to have a cortisone shot in the joint. While my arm was still numb, I was sent immediately over to the physical therapist where he manipulated my shoulder and broke up all the adhesions that had formed in the shoulder. It was pretty uncomfortable and the sounds made me sick, but it slowly got better. Took about two weeks of PT and finally I had the range of motion back in the arm. It has been about three years since the frozen shoulder was fixed. I am sad to say my right shoulder is now starting to freeze up. The only thing I can think that might have started this is I took up kayaking this year and I do lots of several mile paddles weekly. I am praying that if I keep using it, the shoulder won't go the way the other one did. Frozen shoulder is very painful.

Nancy

P.S. cortisone wreakes havoc on your blood sugars! I am type one on an insulin pump. I hate the idea of having cortisone again.