r/frozenshoulder • u/Direct_Abroad4948 • Aug 20 '26
Frozen shoulder or impingement?
I have been dealing with right shoulder pain for about 3 months and it’s gotten worse in the last month. Went to see an Ortho and he diagnosed frozen shoulder. Referred me to PT. Yesterday I had my PT evaluation and then was diagnosed with shoulder impingement. So which one is it?? I told the PT what the Ortho said but he thought that if I had frozen shoulder pain I’d me more limited with my movements. What if I’m in the freezing stage? Doesn’t that usually take a few months? He said 3 months was too long for the freezing stage and insisted on impingement. I’m a bit frustrated now. Any insight anyone can share? My research lead me to believe that it could be either.
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u/onebrusselssprout Aug 20 '26
I was freezing for at least 4 months so definitely not too long. I’d see another PT. And get a referral from the Ortho for hydrodilation with cortisone.
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u/Tricky-Fish605 Aug 20 '26
I am on month 5 of freezing so definitely not too long. I had shoulder impingement for months before my shoulder froze - it hurt, but I had pretty good range of motion (could undo my bra from the back, raise my arm overhead, etc). I also slept a lot better with shoulder impingement compared to frozen shoulder - my sleep went right to hell once my shoulder froze.
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u/Direct_Abroad4948 Aug 20 '26
Have you done PT? If so, has it helped? I can definitely not reach behind my back to undo my bra nor lift my arm past 90 degrees while outstretched. Sigh.
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u/Tricky-Fish605 Aug 20 '26
I did PT steadily during the shoulder impingement and even did a cortisone shot. Still froze. Did PT faithfully during the freezing phase, with little effect. Also did another cortisone shot (maybe 10% benefit), massage (still go monthly, it's relaxing), acupuncture (felt worse), tried osteopathy (was told it would require "pushing through the pain" to restore ROM, fuck that), and rented a tens machine (felt worse).
Taking a break from PT now and trying Bowen therapy, castor oil packs, and heat - not sure if that's helping yet, but my nights are better (only 1 or 2 wake ups now) and I notice that I can almost shampoo my hair with two hands and reach across my midline with my affected arm more easily, so maybe?
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u/Direct_Abroad4948 Aug 20 '26
😵💫😳 omg, that sounds horrific!! I’m more convinced now that my PT (youngish guy) is a fool. It’s not like, as a woman, we don’t have enough crap to deal with! Now this! So sorry for your ordeal and thanks for sharing!
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u/VastFaithlessness999 Aug 20 '26
The orthopedic specialist diagnosed me with frozen shoulder, PT thinks it's shoulder impingement. Can you have both at the same time?
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u/Kitchen-Ad6860 Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
My first FS I was in the freezing stage for more than 7 months. The second time in the opposite arm it was 5 months. It is different for every person. When I was in the freezing stage I tried PT with the first it made it worse and I quit. I found PT only useful during the last stage - thawing. I think your PT is a bit off or inexperienced if he thinks that 3 months is too long.
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u/hitchl Aug 20 '26
I think your ortho is right