Shoulder Injection Treatment – Yikes
Went to my doctor today who examined my painful shoulder again.
No doubt in his mind that I have frozen shoulder – and from all the reading I’ve done recently, no doubt in my mind either.
Question is: should I have an injection for my frozen shoulder?
The whole idea scares the life out of me – and I’m not normally a “fraidy cat” about these kind of things. The idea of a needle going deep into my painful shoulder just gives me shivers.
Now – I’ve read Doc Cameron’s Frozen Shoulder Book - and there’s a whole big section about injections – how they work – if they work – when to get one etc etc. But even so, my legs just go wobbly at the prospect.
I compromised with my doc today and we agreed to leave it for a couple more weeks to see how things develop ….. fingers crossed !
marjory
February 8th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Well, all i can say is you are not alone. I have frozen shoulder. I think it has been about six months. My doc recommended MUA (manipulation under anesthesia) in which they basicall just put your arm through its full range of motion to break up the adhesions. I went so far as to schedule it and canceled at the last minute. From everything I have read it will eventually go away on its own and I wasn’t willing to deal with the potential risks. So, I will wait until I can’t stand it anymore. The biggest issue for me is sleep. The doc recommended sleeping propped up or in a recliner but i can’t sleep that way sooooo basically really really tired. I am not taking any pain meds, over the counter or otherwise because nothing helps. I think I will try accupuncture this week.. I’ll let you know how it goes.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Hi Marnie
Thanks for your comment.
I did read about MUA too but as you say it did sound very brutal. Doctor Cameron’s book says it does work but it can sometimes cause side effects or problems afterwards.
If anyone reading this has had Manipulation for frozen shoulder then please leave a comment.
I’d love to hear how you go with acupuncture. Lucky for me I’ve been able to sleep if I get the right position
Keep in touch
Marjory
March 10th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I can relate, I’m a 48 yr female that seems to have constant tendonitis (which usually lasts a year each) from sports injuries, and several cortisone shots. When you’re in so much pain, you’ll try anything. My last injury was in Jan. 2009, skiing and it was initially diagnosed as a sprained shoulder. After no relief, my doctor gave me a cortisone shot, and referred me to an orthopedic doctor who ordered an MRI. The result then was shoulder impingement (level 1 which is the best – flat shoulder bone). Level 3 usually requires surgery as the bone curves down and pinches the muscles/tendons. I had another cortisone shot and physical therapy. By summer it was better. However, in November, I was pulling my arm out of a tight turtle neck sleeve and sweater and must have jerked it weird and it hurt! After two months with it getting worse, and kept hurting it doing stupid things you wouldn’t expect to hurt it like reaching, driving, dressing, etc… I went back to my doctor, who referred me to another orthopedic doctor who looked at the 1 yr old MRI and said surgery wouldn’t be an option, but we could try another cortisone shot, and ordered physical therapy. I went to therapy about six times (twice a week for two of the weeks), and it seemed to only be getting worse (and I was doing really easy exercises with only1 lb weights). The therapist then referred me back to the orthopedic doctor who said it was too soon for another cortisone shot. I asked if maybe I had a tear, so he asked how old the other MRI was and I said over a year and five injuries ago. He said it was a possibility, so he ordered prednisone (med pack that you take one less pill each day), and a new MRI. I didn’t start to get relief until almost the last pill, and then was scheduled for another cortisone shot (directly into the joint during imaging so that they get the right spot), as the MRI showed Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder). It wasn’t too soon for this type as it was now going into the joint. This procedure took about 10 minutes, and only felt pressure for about 2 minutes. They use such small needles and also Novocain, so the shots don’t hurt. Believe me, I use to faint from shots. The one in the joint hurt just from the pressure, but I’m sure you have that pain level anyway. I then was to start physical therapy within a week. I went to my chiropractor first (Friday), and he manipulated my shoulder which I felt it get into alignment, then worked to straighten it over my head, which improved the motion a lot. I then went to physical therapy (Monday). The physical therapist I feel is an honest guy who isn’t the type to lead people on and has a high reputation for shoulders. He said if we don’t see improvement within 2 weeks (which is all home exercises) he will refer me back to the orthopedic doctor as he doesn’t want to waste either of our time. He mentioned it would probably mean surgery, which I’ve heard are two types: manipulation under anesthesia which doesn’t have any cutting and arthroscopy where they cleaned out the scar tissue. I’m impatient and want to get better ASAP as summer is coming and I want to golf, swim, and possibly play softball and soccer. Good luck with your shoulder!
March 12th, 2009 at 5:03 am
I should clarify my first sentence. It should ready: I can relate, I’m a 48 yr female that seems to have constant tendonitis (which usually lasts a year each) from sports injuries, and I have had several cortisone shots. Some have given me relief, others didn’t. The ones given by an orthopedic doctor seem to always work. I’ve had four in my right shoulder, two in my right elbow, one in my right knee, and now four in my left shoulder. I’ve had the prednisone med packs twice, and they work a little bit, but I think two weeks would maybe be better for me, as it seems it just takes the edge off my tendonitis then it comes back so fast, as it doesn’t quite get rid of it. I went to my chiropractor again last night, and he seems to get the motion back, by stretching it he does force a little, but doesn’t push it. Just slow easy stretching.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
If that’s really the last resort in curing your frozen shoulder, go for it! Just don’t think of the needles and everything, think about how it could help you lessen the burden out of your frozen shoulder. If you’re really afraid of it (the thought of needles being dug deep into your shoulders), then try to research something else or another type of cure or remedy in easing out the pain your suffering. Good luck to you!
June 18th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I have had 3 months of physical therapy (3xweek), 16 acupuncture treatments, manual manipulation under anesthesia and 4 weeks of physical therapy (5xweek). My shoulder is still frozen; range of motion is slightly improved; pain is better but still constant. I want my life back!
September 29th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Graduated from physical therapy in May 2009, and had relief for a couple of months but not full range of motion. Started having more pain and less motion in July, and finally went back to the orthopedic doctor in September and was scheduled for another cortisone shot in the joint (with imaging to get it in the right location). More physical therapy scheduled. I was told this can last for three years.
December 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Just had the xray directed injection about an hour ago. Not really painful – some pressure – nothing even remotely close to the pain I find in accidentally moving my shoulder the wrong way. Feels better already. I sould put my tee shirt on without pain. Still have a limited range of motion – but its only been an hour.
Don’t let pain scare you off – nothing to it!
January 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Hi Beth, How are you doing? How is FS treating you?
I’m 41 yrs old, diabetic, and have been dealing with my Frozen Shoulder for aprox 3 years now. I’ve done the cortizone bit, PT, Capsular release (arthroscopc surgery) along with MUA at the same time. Then had the “good luck” after three weeks of intensive therapy and almost completely restored range of motion to tweak my shoulder and have a full reoccurence now The surgery was at about 2.5 years in so for the last 6 months I’ve declined to the point that I’m worse than before surgery.
Gotta love it. I’m fighting for Traumeel at the moment because for some unknown reason Blue Cross Blue Sheild of AZ decided to pull coverage for their patients, so I can choose to spend $2500 out of pocket or try to get an exception with BCBS, which is what I’m doing.
Let me know if you’ve recovered at all!!
Susan
January 18th, 2010 at 1:25 am
A couple of months ago I injured my right shoulder. How, you say?The abbreviated version is that I’m suffering a weight-lifting injury. Actually, that sounds much more glamorous than the truth. Here’s the story: I have a Labrador named Alex. Alex weights 107 lbs. We own a weekend place on Caney Creek in Matagorda County near the Gulf coast. Alex is convinced that creek is there for his personal enjoyment – and he gets a LOT of enjoyment in that water. One of the first things we did after purchasing this property was install steps in the water so Alex could get himself out of the creek.
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
My friend was laughing when reading one paragraph on your blog “…’s a whole big section about injections – how they work – if they work – when to …” it makes me look more knowledgable after reading it.