Would you have ultrasound for physio?

[Crystylline]

Hi,

As per a previous thread, I have shoulder tendonitis - quite severe and I'm six months pregnant.

The physio is struggling to find ways to manage the condition and alleviate the pain, as well as fix it, It's getting progressively worse, to the point where I'm now being referred to a specialist who may consider ultrasound treatment.

there's no studies to show whether this is potentially dangerous or safe for pregnant women.

I can't take drugs and am having some acupuncture for pain relief, but need to do something to resolve this problem.

Does anyone have any advice or knowledge on this, or would you have the ultrasound treatment?

thanks

I'd have it TBH. It's a localised treatment, away from your bump.

Why no drugs though?

May seem like a dumb question, but have they determined it's definitely tendonitis (i.e. inflamed tendons)? I've had tendonitis diagnosed before when I actually had myofascial trigger points. If it could be trigger points, then specialist massage would help (and is safe in pregnancy).

How confident are they that US will help? How much do they think US will help? How much US would you need? How confident are they in their diagnosis?

As you say, the risk to the baby of US during pregnancy hasn't really been investigated and, as such, I'd avoid it if I could - BUT for anything there's a risk benefit analysis to be done. The fact the US would be localised to the shoulder would give me more confidence in accepting as the baby shouldn't be getting that much exposure. I'd be asking lots of questions re. how effective they think it will be and then seeing how I felt about it. And I'd want to be be VERY confident that they had the diagnosis right first...

Japrimel - no drugs as i have a few allergies to contend with, but will wait to see if there is one I can take... but wonder if that's a bigger risk than ultrasound.

the physio diagnoses that it's bicep and upper trapezius tendonitis - I have limited to nil mobility depending on the time of day - night-time and early mornings are worse.

She did advise using a tennis ball on my neck/shoulder blades until I can see the specialist, and has mentioned trigger points... perhaps this is something I should ask the acupuncturist about?

and Tangle... these are my questions too. the thing that does give me a bit more confidence is that it should be localised to the shoulder, rather than anywhere near my stomach. The physio said that personally speaking, she'd seriously consider having the US in my condition.

are you taking about an ultrasound investigation to see if diagnosis is correct or treating shoulder with ultrasound (which the physio is qulaified to do and should be able to answer all questions about it).

Physio ultrasound treatment on your shoulder is fine if you are pg, it is so far from bump.

Heat, icing, taping, neck treatment could all help.

I had it on my foot from 14 -20ish weeks pg - DD is fine.