Yesterday in physical therapy, Jeremy stretched my shoulder joint vertically to about 165 degrees (out of 180). This means I have recovered most of my range of motion since my shoulder fracture in June, but not all. Jeremy said the last degrees are the hardest in stretching out a “frozen” shoulder, where the tough capsule surrounding the ball-and-socket joint has pulled tight to protect the joint. Continuous stretching and muscle strengthening are key to recovering full range of motion–and I am determined to do just that.
Meanwhile, I have been enjoying getting back into sports. Saturday I ran/walked 2.2 miles–my farthest distance since the bike accident. I can finally support my weight on my boogie board, too! The beach was beautiful last Sunday, and I caught a dozen waves before my shoulder got tired.
Every time I get discouraged about the seemingly slow progress on recovering the last degrees of range of motion, I have to remind myself of the progress made so far. It’s really a miracle that I’m at this point after less than three months! Rome wasn’t built in a day, they say. I need to have patience with the process of healing that my body requires. After all, that frozen shoulder capsule developed for a purpose: to protect my shoulder so that it could heal. Now to convince the capsule that it’s okay to loosen up!
Tags: Add new tag, broken bones, osteoporosis, physical therapy, Shoulder Fracture
I have been in therapy for a few weeks, my fx was almost 3 months ago. I have more pain now, especially in the middle of the night…did you experience this.
Although it is worrying to know that the pain goes on for so long it is also reassuring that the pain I am feeling after 6 weeks is normal. I have not started physio yet although now out of sling and doing some exercises..
It would be interesting to know Kathy how you went about getting massage as I would like to try this.
February 10th I managed to fall on the ice on our back garage entrance. As I began to fall I grabbed the door frame which pulled me literally into a one point left shoulder landing on a paver that was raised 5 inches above ground level. Three fractures………4 months later…..some return in mobility but wondering if full range of motion will ever return. I went to 7 or 8 rehab sessions and learned the exercises but this is a slow and painful process.
I fractured my shoulder on 16th March 2014 (a three inch break) I was told to keep it in a sling and was taken out of a sling after seven weeks. I was given several pain killers including morphine but the pain from my shoulder to my elbow was excruciating. I have had x rays and an mri scan and they say it has healed ok but the pain in my arm is like a migraine 24-7 cant sleep. it is now 13 weeks since the break and I can only lift it 45 degrees. Is there anyone else that has had this problem because the doctors have no answers. I just want the pain to go away.
Hi Kathy I’ve enjoyed reading about your progress with your shoulder I too shattered my shoulder in four places in Sept it is still painful when I move although x rays says bones are healed I’m 57 and a widow last year so I feel frustrated doing my house work did you feel down 3months after your break? glad your fully healed happy new year. Angela
Hi, Lori. I often had massage therapy after PT sessions, and what a difference that made! Without massage therapy, my muscles seemed to fight the loosening up that PT was trying to accomplish. Even a short session of massage therapy was very helpful in reducing pain and increasing restful sleep.
God bless you as you heal,
Kathy
Thank you for all this info. It’s rare to find someone who has experienced a scapula fracture and can relate. I fractured my right scapula April 16th, 2013 and am in therapy. I agree with your successes and advice, just wish I had found this out earlier! I am blessed that all I had was the broken scapula and am learning to take each baby step of success with patience which is good for a type A personality! Thanks again. It’s been nearly 3 months and I still can’t sleep more than and hour or so without help due to the pain. Was this a problem for you? The ache is sometimes a 7 or 8 especially at night where I find no way to get comfortable still even though the bone has healed and I am making great progress in PT.
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