Adhesive Capsulitis of the shoulder. What should I honestly expect pain and recovery wise after surg

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I have had the condition for over a year and I was just diagnosed. It has been excruciating. No sleep,  can't do my hair, put on a bra or fasten pants with buttons.

If I accidentally touch a wall while walking my arm goes 'dead' for about a minute. The pain is unbearable and the numbness and tingling all the way to my hand is unbearable.

My Doctor said one of the worst he has seen.

I am 46 female, a diabetic and was in a severe car accident Feb 2013 in which I burst my T6 Vertebrae,  4 Ribs, my left foot resulted in a lateral fracture which causes numbness, swelling and tingling from knee to toes (I had a black bruise the size of a melon om my knee and lower leg) and a head injury.

So I hit all 4 of the signs that make someone more susceptible to Frozen Shoulder.

Due to this...I was told that it was a result of the accident and that it would heal on its own and not to worry. 

My primary physician was the one to finally step up to get correct diagnosis.  He ruled out Nerve Damage through an electro cardiogram test and that Dr correctly diagnosed the frozen shoulder. 

I am scheduled for a 2 part surgery on June 26 including Manipulation and Anthroposky (? Sp).

I opted to take 4 weeks leave of absence (he suggested up to 8 but I can extend if necessary).

He advised the Physical Therapy afterwards (which starts immediately after surgery the same day) will be extremely painful.  

You would think after all else I have been through I would not be nervous but I am.

I am nervous about the true pain level of treatment, the ability to control it (my current pain meds for back and nerves does nothing to help)  and from reading other posts and my doctors own warning that even with therapy and me being really good ar doing my treatment even after my formal therapy ends it could return.

Looking for insight from who has already been through this.

2

Hi Robin. What a horrible experience you have had with your accident and now this. As one who has been through the manipulation under anaesthetic I hope I can reassure you. I had this procedure for my second frozen shoulder. I also was going through all the agonies you describe and I was equally nervous about having the op. I was warned, like you, that it would be painful on waking from the anaesthetic and that I would have to start exercises and physio the same day. It was painful when I woke up but I had been given a cortisone shot at the end of the op and was given painkillers and told to take paracetomol and ibuprofen alternately every two hours and not to stop doing that even if I felt I wasn't in pain. It was a struggle to do the exercises but I persevered regularly and my physiotherapist was great too. When I woke up I could put my arm above my head and with the exercises I never lost that movement again. It took a while to be able to reach behind my back but the debilitating pain caused by the frozen shoulder never returned and when the tissue had repaired I was fine again within only a few weeks of the op. I know a few people have said that some procedures didn't work for them but personally I would do this again if I needed to. Good luck with it, and with recovering from your other problems too.

3

Hi Robin

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and the fact it brought on a frozen shoulder.

I'd like to reassure you, but unfortunately cannot.  Different people have had different results.

My left should froze over 12 months ago and despite cortisone injections, manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) and a separate arthroscopic capsular release and I'm still in pain! Its now thawing so there is a light at the end of the tunnel! But I'm not out of the woods, my right shoulder is now freezing!

Cortisone injection - didn't work for me at all, if anything, it made my symptoms worse.

MUA - the procedure seemed to go well.  I woke up in very little pain, needed very little medication for about 3 weeks after - I only took 2 days of work, just in case, but I didn't need them.  I didn't have a huge amount of movement in my arm despite physio and it gradualy got less and less and then got more and more painful.  To the end result that within 2 months I was back to where I was previously, in severe pain and unable to move/sleep/drive.

My consultant advised my only option was an operation.  I was so desperate I agreed.  So in February this year he carried out a arthroscopic capsular release which did seem to work.  My concultant wasn't so happy though, a couple of weeks later I still didn't have the movement he thought I should have!  I couldn't even lift my arm to waist height. 

Skip forward 4 months.

I now have a left shoulder which is thawing and a right shoulder which is freezing, but my consultant won't do anything with it until it gets much worse as my body has already proven it doesn't respond to the usual treatment!

I'm doing daily physio therapy and I still don't have a massive amount of movement - I can probably lift my left arm it to my chin now and just about touch my bra strap but still cannot manipulate it.  My right arm I can still move with a reasonable amount of freedom but its extremely painful lifting and holding anything up.  I certainly cannot hoover or do the ironing LOL

I've had to change my hairstyle as I cannot hold a hair dryer any more.  I am still in a considerable amount of pain and unable to take a lot pain killers as it turns out I now have an ulcer!  I'm now on fentanyl transdermal system patches, topped up with Cocodine which are taking the edge of the pain.

I don't want to put ou off, I know that for many people manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) and arthroscopic capsular release alongside physio has worked, but be aware you won't be pain free for a good long while.

4

Thank You Judy!

It is comforting to know that the outcome can be positive.   I am unable to take cortisone shots since I am a diabetic. He advised that the meds they provide are really strong.  I should have asked what they are but was so overwhelmed and nervous that I forgot.

I am currently on Hydrocodone (Nightime Only), Tramadol (Daytime Only)and Nuerotin (1200 mgs/day) and still in pain.

I really am hoping and praying that the outcome is good and that it does not refreeze or move to my right arm.

I am so happy that you are doing so well!!

Thank you for your story and insight.

5

wow, that a bad'un. No wonder you're a bit nervous. I had a capsular release in early feb and while I haven't got full movement back and still suffer some discomfort it is generally much better. The physio is painful to begin with, that first appointment the day after is...challenging, but keep on doing them they do help. If you've got access to a swimming pool you can do the exercises in the water (great for the behind-the-back ones) and swimming is one of the best rehab therapies for your shoulder.

6

Hi Aurodawn!

I am so sorry to hear you not only had a slow reaction and are showing only a little improvement in your arm after both the manipulation and surgery that it has now moved to your other arm.  How awful! 

I am worried that I will be the one that the procedures will not help.

I have had a history of being the one that it is rare so you shouldn't worry and then the test and then the result that I am that one in a million rare case.

I also cannot take Cortisone.  Since it is a steroid and I am a type 2 diabetic it would cause my sugar levels to skyrocket. 

Your story is heartbreaking and I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts that you overcome. 

I really appreciate the time you have taken to share your story with me. 

Thank you very much! 

7

Hi Robin.  I truly feel your pain.  I did not have the manipulation done, but I did have the arthrogram. I am diabetic also and I had 4 cortesone shots in each shoulder. While it did spike my sugar, it never got to 20 and only lasted 2-3 days and gave me alot of relief.  The shots that were put in through the front or back worked and the ones put in from the side did nothing.  I think that you are probably far enough along in this awful condition that is will be ready for the treatment to work

8

Thank you Tonto52!

I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. 

My doctor also recommended using the pool as much as possible.  I am hoping after surgery I will be able to use the pool at the campground I have a permanent site at.

I was unable to last year due to the original accident and still too weak to get out of the pool.

The pool is not elderly or handicapped friendly...the only way to get out is by using vertical steps which are steep.  To be honest I had trouble using them prior to my accident...LOL.

I was able to get in once this year. It was a struggle to get out but my niece (one of the best nieces ever by the way) helped me out. (I jokingly told her she should have filmed it and put it on u tube to give everyone a laugh) ... LOL 😁

It was nice getting in the pool. The cool water really helped with all 3 areas of pain...my foot, back & shoulder.

I may try to find a pool close by that does have the built in steps to allow getting in and out less challenging. 

I learned a lot in the last year and a half ... most importantly that life is precious.  Do what you have to do to get back up, brush your self off, learn a lesson from what happened and keep moving on.

I am lucky to be alive let alone being able to walk so I will do what I have to do to make things better...but I am still nervous and worried. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me.

I really do appreciate it.

9

Thank You Heather!

Your words of encouragement (and the words of encouragement from all that have replied) really mean a lot to me.

I hope all goes well for you in your recovery and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. 

10

I understand everyone's pain on here I have now been through 4 shoulder surgeries and counting...from one nightmare to another. I guess the trouble is there are so many different senarios that can happen good and bad. my second surgery on my left shoulder was a capsule release for frozen shoulder, and horribly during manipulation my rotator cuff was fully torn along with two muscles. The pain block also was given incorrectly and I am now paralyzed from my c5 and c6 branches. My rotator cuff was just repaired in May. I do think if my rotator cuff had not been torn and the nerves paralyzed the capsule release would have been effective, but I guess we will never know. I was also warned frozen shoulder can return, the more they dig around in their the more your body wants to repair it self, a good therapy plan is the way to go, keep trying to move it with in your limits... Good luck I hope it all goes well!!!!