Advice from anyone with a frozen shoulder please!

[sevendwarves]

I fell over 2 weeks ago and tore a ligament in my shoulder, my doctor didn't even tell me how long I can expect it to take to heal. I can't lift my arm higher than 45 degrees, I've been told to do mobilisation exercises but every time I try lifting my arm it's so painful I feel sick, I'm taking painkillers.

DH said yesterday that he thinks it may not ever fully recover and that his aunt had a shoulder injury years ago and still has a frozen shoulder now. I know it's ignorant of me but I always assumed a frozen shoulder was something that mainly affected older people (I'm 24) and followed a serious accident not just falling over.

Is DH being unhelpful or should I be worried? Also in the meantime can anyone give me any advice on anything that make things easier ie dressing, washing hair, hanging out washing etc.

TIA

This really really annoys me. There are lots of things you can do, but doctors here don't help at all.

At the very least, see a physio therapist. They will be able to help with massage and rehabilitation.

Personally, I would highly recommend a chiropractor. It seems counter-intuitive, but believe me, they help with the entire body. But a lot of people are uncomfortable with that.

If you are on the NHS, go back to the doctor and insist he/she offers you a referral. if you have the option of private care, even better. Try to find a physio or chiro or similar who specialises in injury and I recommend Australian/New Zealand or American practitioners as they have slightly different training to Europeans.

Bling the doctor said that most people don't need physio but I assumed I'd be referred when I go back if it's no better.

I had a frozen shoulder a couple of years back - I was 40 and was told I was at the very young age for a frozen shoulder. It was very painful and I couldn't raise my arm higher than shoulder level either. I saw a physio, which was very good, and I also saw a specialist at the hospital and had an x ray to rule out any other damage. I was told that it normally goes by itself and can take anything from 6 months to 2 years. I was told that I might also have some residual twinges afterwards and that it might happen in the other shoulder too. I stopped physio after a bit, because it stopped making a difference and we agreed I just had to go through the process. Sure enough, it gradually went by itself and I am better now, albeit with a slightly clicky shoulder and slightly less movement than the other one. But it is fine.

I'd go back to the doctor, chase up a physio appointment and an appointment with a shoulder specialist if necessary. They need to rule out any other injury. But physio is a good place to start.

Your doctor is an idiot. For even very minor injuries to muscles, tendons, nervous system etc, outside manipulation and rehabilitation will help.

Sure, you might heal up eventually without one. But you will heal better, more completely, and faster, if you do get additional support.

I am very on your behalf. This attitude of some doctors never ceases to amaze me.

oneway I had an x-ray the day after I done it. They said there was no fracture but the two bones were further apart than they should be, that's why they assumed I've torn the ligament between them.

What two bones? Did they say you have sprung your ACJ?

They didn't say