Is this normal for frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tear?

I’ve had impingement from bursitis, giving me some of the symptoms you describe. Had surgery to remove bursa. Developed frozen shoulder. Had PT and other treatment but ultimately it took about 15 months to “thaw”. Did it on its own. No problem whatsoever since.

@emmabell I had a frozen shoulder that happened after a diagnostic injection into the shoulder capsule for an MRI. It was so painful that even breathing hurt my shoulder joint for the small amount of movement from rib cage movement and I had to just put my arm in a sling. Other joints were not affected by this. It was a couple of months before a physical therapist could work on my shoulder with increments of forcing the movement to regain proper range of motion and that was painful.

I think you need imaging to determine the problem. A frozen shoulder could mean all or part of the joint or joint capsule is affected. Your physical therapist should be able to tell by feel where the resistance is in your range of motion. If there is a torn rotator cuff, you probably would not make good progress with physical therapy.

Shoulder problems can take a few months to heal. I had a SLAP tear in my shoulder once, because from the front seat of my car, I reached into the back seat behind me to yank on something and felt a sharp pain. I wasn't progressing in physical therapy, and it just had to heal first before I could work on range of motion. I was sent for imaging because PT wasn't helping at that point and the tear was discovered. It resolved without surgery.

One of my shoulders froze up in 1999.....it felt like an electrical bolt went off in my shoulder. It was frozen. I did the cortisone injections, PT and chiropractor and at home exercises. This was in a 9 month period. Nothing helped.

I had the surgery for frozen shoulder. It took 4 months of PT and at home exercise to completely get my range of motion back.

Two years later the other shoulder froze. I did not wait around on this one and went ahead and had the surgery. It took 4 months again to recover to get range of motion back. Frozen shoulders are painful. I'm glad I had the surgery to be honest. Only a doctor and probably a CT or MRI can tell for sure if your shoulder is frozen or if its rotator cuff. The orthopedic doctor can usually tell if its one or the other by testing your strength and movement in the office.

I wish you the best. Shoulder injury is no fun. Praying for you.

Has anyone experienced not being able to put your hand in the side of your waist because your shoulder makes your elbow stuck pointing backwards? Is that a frozen shoulder thing?

How long did it take for the tear to heal?

@emmabell It probably took a couple months to heal. It was a small tear, and it was kind of like living with a sprain. It was only because of imaging after not progressing in physical therapy that they did an MRI and saw a tear that was healing at that point.

You need an MRI to diagnose your issue. I had surgery for my frozen shoulder where they just put you out, manipulate your shoulder and “crunch” things around, then PT with exercises. Worked great. Back to normal soon after.

I’m so happy that it helped you! Tho I can’t do MRI or surgery at the moment due to other health issues so that’s why I’m trying to gather as much info and clues as I can in other ways.

I came down with a frozen shoulder in 2022. It took about 4 mos of PT. I did get a cortisone shot and it did not help. Doctor believes I came down with it from higher levels of cortisol due to other health issues in previous year.