Hi I've had really bad pain under and down my arm gradually getting worse from end of November, the shoulder hurts in some parts but the pain down my arm is unbearable at times, burning, stinging and tender to touch, the doctor thinks it's a frozen shoulder and is sending me for a steroid injection even though I haven't had a scan or anything, should I ask for a scan before I have this and also is this injection very painful, would appreciate some advice before my appointment on the 28th march 2018, thankyou, Karen.
Is it possible that you injured your shoulder? I’m asking because to rule out a rotator cuff tear.
Hi Donna, not had any injury to my shoulder at all, it started gradually with pain at the back top arm and just got worse from there.
From my own experience where my doctor hadn’t sent me for an US or a MRI, I would push to have at least one of these done. At least the diagnosis will be confirmed.
Although I trust medical opinion for the most part, they often are taking a best guess. It is best to know what the underlying pathology that caused the FS is.
Totally agree with your comment, Karen should have an MRI of her shoulder for diagnostic purposes. To determine why she is experiencing symptoms of frozen shoulder.
Thanks Jim, don't really want to have the injection if a fs hasn't been confirmed, also been told they really do hurt.
karen, Can't remember my exact age when I had my first FS (maybe late 40's), but the doctor told me I was too young for a steroid injection. You should research the downside of getting them before proceeding. I also agree that you should have an MRI. My 2nd opinion dr. ordered one; first doctor just wanted to operate immediately.
Apparently too many cortisone shots too close together can cause tendon damage and atrophy. My Dr said he gives no more than two in a 12 month period, so tissue can recover. Also for diabetics the cortisone can cause spikes in blood sugar for a few days. It isn’t usually recommended for people with known heart damage.
I am contemplating asking my doctor for another cortisone shot in April, which will be six months since the last one. This is to reduce the inflammation and pain so I can increase my range of motion enough to break down residual adhesions.
It is a slow walk back to a healthy shoulder, but I am confident it will get better.
Hi, i have also had my frozen shoulder since November, had the steroid injection a few weeks ago this was done at the hospital. Injection hurts but not as painful as the pain you suffer from an FS.
It’s better to get an MRI mine did not show anything in X-ray the steroid injection lasted only 4 days I’m on my 6 weeks on PT and this helping me a lot I’m not taking anymore of my Norco at night only Meloxicam 15 mg at day time I’m able to sleep now straight without getting up in the middle of the night . Ice and hot compress helps a lot too. My PT gave me instructions on how to do stretching/ strengthening at home. I strongly recommend PT but you have to be patient going to the appointment . Hope this will help
Thanks for your advice Myrna finding all comments very helpful.
Thanks April, gona discus it with my GP before I decide to have it or not but a few seconds of pain is nothing compared to the prolonged pain I've been having, hope your pain has eased.
Sorry Meant to put Avril.
Karen, the injection eased the agonizing pain, but still have pain but compared to the pain I was in glad I had the jab, my GP referred me to Musculoskeletal assessment Team who did the injection.
Get the injection before the scan . I am working on my second frozen shoulder . I just had an injection and it helped a lot this time . Last time with my other shoulder it didn’t . I think I waited too long . The shot isn’t that bad . Quick and easy . Good luck
I was diagnosed with fs in January. (Throughout the Fall the pain was getting worse, and finally went to my doctor January 2nd). Ultimately went to a physical therapy office. They STRONGLY recommend to take a shot if the doctor offered it. So, on my next visit to the doctor, I said yes to the shot.
It hurt a lot getting the shot, and for the rest of the day I could not stop groaning because it hurt so much. BUT, the next morning I was feeling something like 75% less pain. Then the next day the pain was almost completely gone. I could still not move my arm, but I was not in constant pain.
I am very happy that I got the shot!!!
Generally the definitive diagnosis for FS is the loss of PASSIVE movement (ie the doctor can't lift your arm either, it is physically frozen). Other types like bursitis, rotator cuff etc, you will only lose ACTIVE ROM (you can't lift it yourself but someone else can move it for you). So if you aren't in the frozen stage at all yet, yes MRI is best because its really difficult to tell. They type of injection will differ depending on the diagnosis. For bursitis or rotator cuff they go into the back of the shoulder, towards the bursa. For FS, it should really be ultrasound guided and they need to go into the front of the shoulder to really get into the capsule. Also, hydrodilation injections (where they use saline under force to break up the adhesive caspsulitis) is far more effective than just cortisone alone. Cortisone will just provide a temporary pain relief.