Experiences with "Frozen Shoulder," winged scapula, cortisone?

[ejchase]

Hi All,

An old shoulder injury of mine has flared up and, to make a very long story short, I'm wondering if anybody here has had experiences with cortisone and frozen shoulder.

I have a winged scapula and usually when pain from it flares up, I can manage it with stretches I learned from an old PT. This time, though, the pain is pretty bad, so I've been seeing a new PT (moved away from the old) and finally asked the orthopedist to give me a cortisone shot yesterday since the pain has been bad for three weeks.

I also switched to a new PT yesterday, since the one I've been seeing for the last three weeks hasn't seemed all that knowledgeable.

The scary thing is since starting the strengthening exercises from the PT and getting the cortisone shot, the pain has decreased slightly, but my mobility is compromised. My arm is weak and hard to lift.

This whole injury has been taking a huge pyschological toll. I'm so discouraged by the lack of improvement. Anybody have any experiences/advice/hope to share?

[Dhiana]

My mother had it about 15 years ago and it was also a physically and psychologically painful condition for her also. At the time the treatments were PT and cortisone shots. I know she regularly did the PT and tried to stay as active as possible.

I don't remember how often she did the cortisone shots, I know she got at least one or two for it but maybe not much more. The shots were very painful for her.

She did end up getting the same condition in the other shoulder which her doctor said was rare, so she had it in both for a time.
The research I did on the internet for her didn't say there was much more she could do and it seemed to have "run its course" in about 18 mos - 2 years as the research had stated was the usual length of time for it to be around. They never figured out why she got it in the first place as she hadn't rec'd any specific injuries of any kind.

It was a difficult time for her but after it went away she has been back to 100% with no side effects. Hang in there, be proactive about your PT care and if you choose to do the cortisone shots or not. It does get better. Eventually.

[catherine]

I had frozen shoulder for a little over a year, but frankly, I didn't do anything for it except wait for it to go away, so I probably didn't have it as bad as you. It was a pain (literally and figuratively) because it was hard to dress myself sometimes and I certainly couldn't lift my arm above shoulder height.

My doctor didn't really seem to understand and gave me a prescription for NSAIDs, which of course were of no use. So I self-diagnosed by reading up on it on the internet and found my symptoms matched frozen shoulder perfectly. It did go away over time, but as I said, it was a little over a year.

Sorry I'm not of more help, but that's my experience.

[JaneV2.0]

Oddly, lowering blood sugar levels may help: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/health/05real.html?_r=0

[catherine]

Oddly, lowering blood sugar levels may help: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/health/05real.html?_r=0

Interesting.. I've never had a problem with my blood sugar, and I'm not diabetic. I also heard that there could be hormonal factors at play. Mine did occur when I was pre-menopausal, so I always suspected that that could be true.

[JaneV2.0]

Menopause is the source of every malady known to womankind.

[Teacher Terry]

My Mom had this and also used the shots. However, she found out that she had to quit doing certain tasks and then it did not flare up so then she did not need the shots. She could no longer wash floors or walls by hand. The circular motion would cause it to flare up. She could still mop though & if it started to hurt when doing something she quit right away. It was very, very painful at times.

[ejchase]

Thanks, All.

The cortisone shot has helped some, as has the new, better PT.

And just for good measure, I'm staying off sugar this week - thanks, Jane, for that link.

[Gardenarian]

Menopause is the source of every malady known to womankind.

For me, it's been more of a cure!

[Reyes]

I am 12 months in with a bad shoulder. I've tried PT (going back again next week), MRI, 2 cortisone shots, and still can't put my hand behind my back to put my bra on (wife does it for me). It is physically painful and has taken quite the toll on my emotional health. Chronic pain is no fun:-(

[pattirose]

Mine lasted a year and a half, I was in pain 24 hours a day and nothing would help, finally went to a PT and that helped tremendously. (I went every other day)