New Info on "Frozen" Left Shoulder

Overhead Squat Test

I skipped the pool last Wednesday cos I needed to save my energy for a weekend away. But, I did take full advantage of an opportunity to get free advice from experts at the posh health centre. I wasn't expecting a great deal from it, but came away with some very useful tips/information.

First thing I did was a simple muscle imbalances test: the overhead squat test (see this excellent PDF which gives the details). You perform the exercise shown above and depending on the position your body takes up, various muscle weakness/imbalances can be identified. For me, it's weak upper back (trapezius muscles etc) and tight/short lats and pecs, which I knew about. There was also some tightness/weakness around my calves and mild weakness in the glutes. I was shown some good stretches for the lats/pecs muscles, advised to do more rowing-type strengthening exercises, and told to use a foam roller to stretch out my calves. Seemed good to me, lol.

But, the star of the show was the physiotherapist. He was exceptionally professional, caring and helpful. I asked specifically about my frozen left shoulder. Told him the history (out of action for 8 years, severely traumatised, psych drugs etc and two years of physical rehab). He examined my shoulder thoroughly and told me that he was 100% sure I did not have a frozen shoulder!?! I was too young, I wasn't the right type of person/build/etc, even considering the years of incapacity, a frozen shoulder was extremely unlikely. He explained why I didn't have a frozen shoulder, showing me the positions he could get my arm into whilst it was passive, which would normally be impossible with a frozen shoulder (and had been for me up until a few months ago). He did say that there was clearly a great deal of muscle wasting. He could see there was a significant dysfunction to the use of the shoulder but it needed to be examined and dealt with by an orthopedic shoulder specialist. He talked through some of the things they might want to look at: particularly nerve function through the shoulder, muscle/tendon attachments and so on. He basically thinks it's quite a complex problem to do with the way the nerves/muscles etc are firing and recruited. He also said that significant weaknesses which haven't been addressed/understood yet might be contributing.

If I had health insurance, I could get it all investigated properly. However, he did suggest that if I wanted to go back down the NHS orthopedic route, I should try specifically to see a shoulder specialist (not just a general orthopedic person) and I should try to get to Guys & St Thomas' in London. He gave me the name of a consultant to look out for if I get the opportunity. He thinks there's a great deal more that could be done to restore proper function and strength to the shoulder.

He was like a breath of fresh air. He was clear, very caring and understanding, and everything he said made good sense of the pathology I've experienced. However, I suspect that there must have been some element initially of adhesive capsulitis for it to be diagnosed a 'frozen shoulder'. I did have significant restriction in passive external rotation and abduction for a good 18 months. But, who knows? Anyway, I'm not sure I'll do anything about it just yet. I might simply try to see if the regular swimming and the new stretches begin to make a difference. As he said, I've got bigger things to worry about than a dysfunctional shoulder, but it's great to finally have a better idea of what's going on.

As usual, the manipulation of my shoulder caused me to feel extremely faint. I had to do the whole 'head between my knees' thing, glass of water etc etc, but the physio was very understanding. He said that it wasn't surprising considering the number of nerves through the shoulder.

It took me about half an hour to feel well enough to drive home again but I was very pleased to have made the effort. If I had loads of money, I'd get the shoulder sorted out but, as I don't, I'll just have to pray for a miracle, lol.

Unfortunately, my shoulder still hasn’t recovered from the minimal manipulations the physio did. It’s been very sore, achy and painful to sleep on. I’ve been taking painkillers every night. To be frank, I’m not sure I can handle any treatment because coping alone with the pain for days afterwards requires more resources than I have. I’ve been pretty upset and confused about what to do now. Obviously, I want a shoulder that works! That would be superb! But, achieving that may well be more than I can manage on my own at the moment.

Had a headache for over 3 weeks now, caused (I think) by tight/exhausted neck muscles. Kinda fed up with it!

Tomorrow is the first session at the hospital rehab gym. The last 7 days have been almost free of LHS lower back and left hip pain. I expect that will change tomorrow evening but we shall see….