What kind of doctor do I need for a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injury?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I am on my second frozen shoulder - I think, if it's not something else like damaged rotator cuffs. My first isn't as painful now, but has lost a fair amount of mobility. The second is still at the stage where I get jolts of sickening pain if it gets moved a fraction too far the wrong direction.

Would a physiotherapist be a good first port of call? Who is the right person to see to find out exactly what has caused my buggered shoulders?

Not in UK, so won't be seeing a primary care practitioner first.

Thank you all, it's good to read about people getting good results and relief.

With my 'old' bad shoulder , the arm just won't go up above shoulder level at all - I can't get my arm to a full 90 degrees.

The 'new' bad shoulder seems to go up more? But it doesn't work normally.

I cannot, for instance, easily put my hair up even in the lowest of ponytails anymore. I have to duck my head down and sort of clumsily shove it up whatever way I can

I'm 36 but have had type 1 diabetes for 25 years, and had read that it's more frequent in diabetics.

[quote ValerieMorghulis]@AbsentmindedWoman the physio said the main way to tell whether it’s a rotator cuff injury or a frozen shoulder is that a rotator cuff you can usually manipulate with the other arm, but the frozen shoulder just won’t move at all![/quote]
Hmm, interesting.

I got my wife to try and haul up the non-painful arm, but it didn't want to budge at all.

No chance getting any via GP.

I had a phone consultation with physio via my GP then an in-person session so I'd still try that. I was surprised it was so quick as had already booked a private session. I need to get an x-ray though. But for OP, I could raise my arm above chest height. I can now. Moving it backwards and behind me is still a problem but I've regained a lot more mobility by doing exercises and stretching it out. My pain was in my right bicep.

*couldn't.

Mine is so bad right now. I am having physio. 60 mg of codeine, 4 times a day. 500mg naproxen, twice a day.

Seeing a consultant on Monday and hoping for steroid injections.

It is so painful.

Chiropractor.

I sleep on my stomach but I'm finding it very difficult to find a position where my shoulder is comfortable and obviously it's waking me up several times a night

Ugh it's awful isn't it? After sleeping on my stomach for my whole life, that was the first thing that let me know my shoulder was going wrong - waking up with breathtaking pain.

Am a side sleeper now. My arm just isn't flexible enough anymore, I literally cannot lie down with my arm tucked under the pillow anymore.

It actually upsets me when I think about it, because I just do not sleep half as well on my side/ lying flat on my back

I saw a consultant, who sent me for physio, but when that wasn't solving it, the physio sent me back to the consultant, at which point they did a scan and found the cyst in my rotator cuff. So I guess it's not always easy to diagnose the problem - which is not good news if you're having to pay for everything.

@MissConductUS I’m in Canada. The Naproxen I was prescribed for my hip was stronger than the OTC stuff. It also had something added to it to counter the effects that long term use can cause on the liver and stomach.

Could be rotator cuff wear and tear or impingement syndrome

You need a scan to be 100% sure

I think some OTC period pain relievers in the U.K. might have Naproxen in them - Feminax, Boots own etc?

I've had FS and it was awful. In my experience, physio will do nothing unless it's in the 'unfreezing' stage. Mine too a good 2 years to come good.

@MooseBeTimeForSummer

I think some OTC period pain relievers in the U.K. might have Naproxen in them - Feminax, Boots own etc?

Feminax super strength does apparently.

I had physio which helped took me 18 months to recover

Thank you for telling me that @titchy. Off to Boots tomorrow!

I had frozen shoulder 10 years ago, and now I've got an impingement in the other shoulder. The pain is very similar, but I have more movement with the impingement.

I have had 5 sessions of private physio (£45 each) and it has been amazing. After the 4th session I could lift my arm above my head, albeit painfully. The physio said if there's no improvement after the 6th session she will refer me for an injection.

The best thing was paying £25 for an initial consultation with the physio, who did lots of tests and movements - she made the diagnosis. There are several conditions that affect the shoulder and you need to know which one you are dealing with.

By the way, the frozen shoulder lasted 2 years, with physio. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Physio or orthopaedic surgeon.

Not sure if you have them where you are but a sports medicine specialist might be the best initial port of call

I wish you well. I have a rotator cuff injury and am seeing an NHS physio, been doing the exercises religiously but it’s getting worse. Am awaiting a referral for an MRI. Also seeing a private practitioner for pain relief, ie heat treatment, acupuncture etc. I’m six months in and struggling to drive, to dress myself etc. I’m taking cocodamol. The pain is just pure hell.

I had a frozen shoulder brought on because I had a damaged / worn out my shoulder. Physio didn’t help but 3 steroid injections did. However that sorted the frozen shoulder but didn’t solve my problem & I had an op almost 2 & a half years ago. Sadly I still struggle with it & my range / strength is limited, I will need a replacement eventually.

Physio was great for my frozen shoulder. I waited for a GP referral, but would go private if it happened again as the exercises relieved it massively and quickly in my case.

Go to a decent physio - they will refer you on to an orthopaedic surgeon (maybe via a GP depending on their local pathway) if they cannot sort you, and they are better at diagnosis than a GP

Some physios can also inject you if you need it.

I have intermittent shoulder pain from a fall I had in 2007. I can't take NSAIDS as they upset my stomach (don't want to bother my GP with requests for Lansoprazole) but I do find the new double-strength Voltarol gel for joint pain (2.32%) does help a lot.

If you are in the UK and ask for Feminax with naproxen you will need to state that you want it for period pain. I know to my cost that pharmacists will not sell it to you if you mention it is for anything else. Very odd, but presumably to do with licensing. (I have naproxen on prescription now!)