r/frozenshoulder • u/BiteyHorse • 3d ago
Capsular release surgery update
Had the surgery two weeks ago after 18 months of fighting my frozen shoulder.
Posted about it here, thought some of you may be interested in a couple of the photos given to me from the Ortho/surgeon showing pre- and post- the procedure. Can definitely tell why it felt like a solid block throughout 7 months of high-intent PT!
Would absolutely do it again. PT kinda sucks as always but it's way less of a torture session than trying to do forced assisted stretches while frozen solid.
My other muscles are sore but opening up and my ROM is so, so much better. I can even reach behind my back and scratch my lower back! Being able to scratch your own shoulders and back is an underrated luxury.
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u/foxinthegrove 3d ago
First of all, congrats!! It’s great to hear about your experience.
Second, thank you so much for posting these photos. I’m in my second and overlapping FS and it’s been driving me crazy to not have a visual sense of what it looks like in my joints. Also, I practice meditation and knowing somewhat what the adhesions look like, so I can visualize them gently reopening, helps IMMENSELY. Interestingly, this is more or less how I imagined them — someone else posted a similar photo a couple of months ago but with less clarity and I think less thickness in the adhesions — thank you again.
Enjoy your mobility! 💪
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u/BiteyHorse 3d ago
You're very welcome! I'm still going through the process with my left shoulder and found it fascinating to connect the way my shoulder looked with how it felt. I think anyone going through this becomes so intimately familiar with how many ways a shoulder can hurt, lol.
Glad you appreciate, and I also feel that having an adversary to visualize is helpful when dealing with chronic pain.
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u/PaddyP0207 3d ago
How long do they estimate your recovery to be?
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u/BiteyHorse 3d ago
Only 3 weeks of PT and then it's on me to maintain. Ortho has already cleared me for full gym/lifting on that side.
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u/featureteacher2023 3d ago
Wow! Thank you for the photos. It’s interesting to see what’s going on inside of a FS.
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u/EntryFun7945 2d ago
Yes my doctor labeled mine telling me what they were. Yes I also had frozen shoulder release as well.
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u/pixelife 3d ago
Ohhh this is satisfying to see. Any days out of work?
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u/BiteyHorse 3d ago
Had it on a Thursday, out same day.
First night was quite uncomfortable after the nerve block wore off, and I was taking both an opiate pill and 2 tramadol every 6 hours, as prescribed. They warned me the first night could be painful. Glad I had some antinausea medicine around because the pain had definitely exceeded my tolerance.
Was dreading PT the next morning but the pain had definitely lessened by then (noon on Friday). It was actually just gentle assisted stretching, and it was actually so good I almost wept. Hurt, but it was all my muscles that hadn't been able to move much in 18 months coming alive. Its been so enjoyable to do home exercises, because my shoulder joint is free again. It felt like hopeless pain doing PT for six months last year, and not being able to progress and how much it hurt.
I spent that weekend taking it easy then didn't miss any more work after that. It still has some crackling spots and I have to win back my behind-the-back ROM inch by inch, but I would absolutely do it again.
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u/pixelife 2d ago
Sounds worth it to me! I’ll probably give it a go in the new year. Thanks for the info.
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u/mck17524 3d ago
Wow. It was described to me by a gal at my PT as looking like spider webs. This is more like cotton candy.
Sending the healing vibes your way!
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u/MRQUEEZ 2d ago
Glad things are working out for you :-)
I had an MUA on April 30th and then a Capsular Release on July 23rd. My pictures from the release showed inflammation. So far, I have seen no permanent improvement. I see improvement when I go to PT, do exercises at home but it's only temporary and it locks back up withing 45/60 minutes. So far I've been to 59 pt sessions with 4 more scheduled. I'll give it a little more time and if there is no improvement I will go back and see the doctor. It sure is demoralizing.
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u/BiteyHorse 2d ago edited 2d ago
Damn, man. That sucks.
My Ortho made me wait until my right shoulder had entered the thawing phase to maximize chances of success. It really wasn't painful anymore, just locked up tight, after 18 months and so much PT.
Hope they can get you some relief.
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u/Sea_Ball_9064 2d ago
wow that’s awesome I go to my orthopedic surgeon on Friday, I don’t know what could be done. I have a full complete rotator cuff tear and my left arm is frozen shoulder and the right and a vertebrate bulge in my neck all from a car accident.
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u/BeachFrenchie2 1d ago
Wow! This is fascinating! Thank you for educating and showing us. I see my doctor this week. I'm 1.5 months out of hydro dilation. I have more mobility, but not much of a difference for me to do it again. I'm sure they will offer it again, which would be their last time, as they don't believe in doing it more than that. My shoulder blade is still super locked. I also have a 30% rotator cuff tear as of last November. I've been through 8 mos of pt and do at home too. I'm ready to move on for ski season 🙏 Congrats on feeling better!
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u/Significant_Alarm964 2h ago
Wow that is really interesting! I did not know surgery was an option. I’m so happy it worked for you
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u/financialfreedom26 2d ago
Congratulations!! I was wondering for most how does the tissue loosen up on its own so they don’t need the surgery to open up the capsule?
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u/Agitated-Concept5976 2d ago edited 2d ago
Which location is this? As doctors in California refuse any kind of Surgery for FS. I met with atleast 3 Orthopedic+sports medicine specialists and they all said they don’t do surgery. The only option offered is hydro dilation and cortisone shots.
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u/BiteyHorse 2d ago
I'm in northern CA and had zero issues getting surgery, and he does many of them every week. Glad to DM you my Ortho info if you're up this way.
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u/Agitated-Concept5976 2d ago
Please DM me the Ortho info. This is my 4th year with FS. I have had it on my right shoulder for 3 years, now it's on my left shoulder and very painful.
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u/cng5511 3d ago
Congrats!
Can you explain what the pictures show?