Help: Frozen shoulder physical therapy

[Anonymous]

My right arm and shoulder hurt and swelling for 2 months. Family Dr recommended physical therapy for my frozen shoulder.

Miserably driving, working and doing everything with left hand while taking care kids and elderly.

Would greatly appreciate if you suggest a best physical therapist for frozen shoulder near nova Fairfax area.

Many thanks

[Anonymous]

Go see an ortho for a cortisone shot and then ask for a recommendation for PTs that have been successful with frozen shoulder resolution. Cortisone is great for pain and increased movement - while it lasts, so you want to get into therapy asap after the injection.

[Anonymous]

Fwiw don't wait 2 months next time.

[Anonymous]

Any therapist can handle frozen shoulder, it is quite common, it depends on how hard you work for this to resolve quickly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any therapist can handle frozen shoulder, it is quite common, it depends on how hard you work for this to resolve quickly

Agree But this is also a very easy fix at home. When I had frozen shoulder, all I had to do (per orthopedic doc) was twice a day lean forward and rotate my arm hanging towards my feet One Direction 30 times and then the other direction 30 times. I did that a couple times a day and my frozen shoulder unfroze rather quickly. I think I was supposed to do that for a month. But my frozen shoulder unfroze within a week or two.

[Anonymous]

^^^ PP herr.

I just had to do the 1st stretch in the attached link but this might help

https://www.health.harvard.edu/shoulder-pain/stretching-exercises-frozen-shoulder

[Anonymous]

Frozen shoulder follows a pattern of pain, freezing, and gradual thaw. PT is really just for pain relief in the pain phase and to possibly preserve some range of motion. It’s not really therepeutic until the freezing/thawing stage to regain range of motion and build strength to possibly prevent another bout.

Since your shoulder has been painful for 2 months, I would get a more thorough evaluation to see if it is actually frozen shoulder (which is a type of inflammation as best they know) or if something else is going on like a torn rotator cuff.

[Anonymous]

Whatever stretched they recommend you do at home. Do them routinely.

The PT that is easiest to get to with your commitments is the right answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever stretched they recommend you do at home. Do them routinely.

The PT that is easiest to get to with your commitments is the right answer.

and who you can get in with soonest.
Our office has a 3-4 week wait for appts.
Most PTs are well versed in Frozen shoulder--I wouldn't be too picky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw don't wait 2 months next time.

That’s rude. 2 different orthopedists recommended I wait longer than that.

[Anonymous]

I had physical therapy for a frozen shoulder for several months with little progress. Was diligent about the home exercises but couldn’t move my arm and shoulder enough to make any of it worthwhile. Finally agreed to get a cortisone shot (had resisted for a variety of reasons) and suddenly I could move enough to actually benefit from the PT. I am about 95% better at this point. Highly recommend consenting to the cortisone shot if your doctor suggested it.

[Anonymous]

Np, and I am sending huge hugs your way! I developed frozen shoulder in the fall of 2019, and it was the worst pain ever, particularly at night. I tried everything from PT, cortisone injections, acupuncture, and even adhesive capsulitis surgery, and none of it worked. Time was the only thing that healed it; by time, I mean 2.5 years of waiting.

I would caution you from trying too many things, even though it's tempting. I am convinced the PT aggravated it more and delayed healing. I had the surgery in 2020, and it loosened it some, but I did not have full mobility until early 2022.

If you are on FB, there are groups you can join. In hindsight, the support from the groups was more useful than anything else.

[Anonymous]

You’ll hear all different kinds of stories here. I did PT forever with no improvement (and I’m able follower). Finally went to the ortho. First cortisone shot improved it 80%, and second shot got it all the way back to normal.

[Anonymous]

If it turns out to be a torn rotator cuff, it heals in 1 year. Not matter what you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had physical therapy for a frozen shoulder for several months with little progress. Was diligent about the home exercises but couldn’t move my arm and shoulder enough to make any of it worthwhile. Finally agreed to get a cortisone shot (had resisted for a variety of reasons) and suddenly I could move enough to actually benefit from the PT. I am about 95% better at this point. Highly recommend consenting to the cortisone shot if your doctor suggested it.

Know will vary for everyone (as already seeing on posts here), but for you, how long after cortisone shot with PT did it resolve for you?