Not sure if I sound really thick asking this, but after my recent experiences with "health care" professionals, and realising they don't seem to understand enough about this, I will ask you. What, if anything will/can be seen on a scan? Is there actually something they can see? I appreciate some have tears and things like that, but what if it's not that? What does a frozen shoulder look like on a scan?
It is my belief that a doctor or specialist can diagnose Frozen Shoulder by the symptoms alone......however, X-rays, MRI or Ultra Sound is used to confirm or discount rotator cuff tears, Arthritis, inflamed Bursa or adhesions. That is my understanding 😀
I had to have an x ray to make sure there wasnt any tears or rips to the rotator cuff before i had an steroid injection, although the doctor and specialist were both certain it was a FS they just needed to make sure.
No idea what a FS actually looks like though. Mind you i would like eveyone at work to know what it feels like!! lol
Oh I would like everyone that thinks we are moaning about nothing to feel it....that's FOR SURE!!!
Mine was being treated as a FS but I complained to my doc it was getting worse and I was struggling with the 24/7 pain she sent me to a specialist who did an ultra sound and found a 9 mm tear in rotator cuff.....OWIE!!!!
Like you I kept waiting for them to say they saw something on a scan or MRI but they never did. it seems to be something they diagnosed by process of elimination. My doctor started out thinking it was bursitis then a torn muscle. By the time I was sent to anyone who knew anything I was locked up solid and it was too late for anything to help. I am now 15 months into this with many more left to go I cannot afford the surgery nor do I hear that good of reports about it so I am just sitting it out. I have regained some use of my arm enough at least to be able to drive again and since I'm retired I can just sit and live with the rest of it I guess. It is a miserable condition and not one that has been given any amount of investigation by the medical profession. I have given up doctors all together because of this they are useless.
Ditto I am sick of the medical profession.. I had a fall3 months ago and have not had a scan to rule out a rotator cuff tear which they said it could be to start with now they say it is a frozen shoulder, which after 2 lots of physio has got a lot worse. I went to my doctors again today told him I have been offered aqu puncture Which I have read will not improve things so no point in it he says he would go ahead even though there are risks. I could have an injection which he said he would have even though it won't solve the problem I think I should have a second opinion he said there was not point so I felt like saying well what is the point of anything.
He did say it will get better in 6 months, but you are proof and a lots of others are proof that this is not always the case.
I am well and truly stuck and of course so is my shoulder. It does not help having M.E. as well.
Yes,I spent months reading up on everything I could find on this online after being struck with it. I have read it can last on average up to two and a half years, and that once you have had it in one shoulder it's much easier to get it in the second shoulder Now that my other arm gives me grief once in awhile I live in a constant state of panic. I have no one near me here who can help me through this so I'm planning to move back to my home state to be near family in case I have any further trouble. What a sad way to enjoy your retirement years.. You can't tell me that if research had been done this problem could be solved for those of us suffering with it in a timely manner.
There is someone at work whose Mom has a FS and shes had it for 8 months and just gets on with it, doesnt moan, still does everything and goes to the gym! Im sorry but HOW does she get on with it, oh yes, her husband dresses and undresses her and her family help her do other things. So in fact she doesnt 'just get on with it' her family do it for her. And he was telling me its not that bad. Great eh! Thanks makes me feel very small and stupid. Grrrr. Ok Lets all send 'bad energy his way' ha ha. I do believe in Karma..... Sorry that sounds like im nasty but its the way he dismisses the pain. :-(
Hi Melanie. As everyone says its not what it shows but what it doesn't show that is important. I have however heard a rumour that some doctors use an ultra sound scan which can show more although I don't know anyone who has had one. Diagnosis is very simple as long as your gp knows what he is looking at. So many people who have written on this forum have problems with doctors not knowing what they are dealing with and it is very frustrating. I am so lucky in that I live only 5 mins from one of the UK's top orthopaedic hospitals and was originally diagnosed by my gp who had worked there for 2 years. If you are able try to get a second opinion from a gp who has had experience in ortho. I know that may sound obvious but it can be made worse by the wrong treatment/advice. We all know how hideous this condition is and you can always count on support from us when everyone else thinks your just being a whimp. Take care.
i'm not allowed to post links inhere to other webpages but if you enter into google
what does frozen shoulder look like on a mri scan there is a blog link (remakehealth) that gives all details about it. personally i don't like mri's myself but they can get some good info about all sorts of things from the results
i've had FS for over 2 years and its painful but i've had it so long the pain is now part of my life have 3 kids too so have no choice about getting on with doing things.
Hi. What do you not like about MRI scans?!!!!
I will have a look at that site. Thank you. I only asked as intrigued and trying to get a better understanding of all this. It hurts so much you'd think they'd be able to see something definite.
I have 5 children so I know what it's like!!
Hi Maude. I think I'm looking to all of you for answers that doctors can't give me!!!!
Feel rubbish today. It's aching like mad. Have a heat pack on now. Makes me feel sick!!!!
I'm actually not a moaner. Just get on with it all. This is different!!! Turning into a moaner!
I'm going to ask for different pain meds. They said nothing is to be done till the scan. Hope I haven't repeated myself to you!!!
I think I'm scared I'm going to be stuck like this. I've changed so much!!x
I think that's part of my fear. That they don't see anything and no one believes me, and I'm stuck like this!!! I can't cope with it!!
You say you're 15 months into it, is the pain the same? What do you take?
The doctors are unbelievablely ignorant to this condition. unfortunately I can not afford private health care either. We are really struggling with me not working now.
At least we can all talk to each other on here!!x
Well I know what I would have said to him. A lot worse than bad energy!!! People really annoy me, when they have no bloody idea what they're talking about, and then pass judgement!
You might also want to invest in what they call a TENS unit. I got one on Amazon for $70 but I know you can find them even cheaper. it has really helped me a lot when times are the worst. there are so many different settings to use depending on how much pain you're experiencing that particular day. when mine was at its worst I just switched between a very hot heating pad and ice packs. During the initial stage when it was the most unbearable they prescribed me percocet but I only took a couple and I just didn't like them so I went without pain meds.When this first happened and my arm was totally locked up at my side I thought my life was over. My family was totally unresponsive to me and of very little help. Luckily I am retired so I could just sit in my recliner and exist. I know it feels now like it's never going to be better but over time it does get better. I now have some front movement of my arm and am at least able to drive again. It sounds mean to say but I wish this would happen to some famous doctor. Then I bet some research would get done on this. But of course treatment would still only be available to the rich or those with good health insurance.
Melanie we are all with you. Unfortunately no one actually knows why FS kicks off as no two people start for the same reason and sometimes there is no reason at all it just happens. The one certain thing which we must all cling to is that it does not last forever, up to five years in rare cases, but it does eventually resolve itself and you do not have the hideous incapacitating pain you get during the freezing stage throughout the whole process. For me I found that keeping working was the best thing, not that I had any choice as I work for myself! I did have hydrodilitation which was only partially successful but it enabled me to carry on a relatively normal life. Physio is a no no during the freezing stage and i was advised by my gp to use ice not heat as heat increases the blood supply and aggravates it further but i warn you iceing it hurts like stink at first but i found it did help. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you. I'm assuming mine started because of my neck initially, but I had "twinges" on and off in my shoulder for months, especially when I was working. (Managing a restaurant so waitressing!!) but ignored it, like a lot of us do!!!
I actually prefer the feeling of the heat bag!! I find it almost soothing.x
Since my brain op in 2001 i've never liked closed in places and i feel unsafe (even though its not) when moving backwards when laying on my back
Yes I've heard some people benefit from a tens machine. I'm sorry you don't have any caring family. I'm lucky I have my children. No other family though. I do understand.
How long did the initial stage last for you?
I do so agree and wish this would be recognised and taught to all doctors, so people are not literally left suffering, as most of us have. Don't be alone though. We are always here.x