Over the last 6 months we have noticed a big increase in the number of patients attending our clinic for a guided injection for frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder is an extremely common shoulder complaint. Unfortunately, it is unclear why a frozen shoulder starts but what we do know is that it is incredibly painful. It mostly commonly effects women, diabetic patients and people in their middle age. A frozen shoulder starts with sudden and significant pain, seemingly out of the blue. This pain quickly becomes accompanied with progressive stiffness. A frozen shoulder is self-limiting and will resolve independently, however this can take many years. The proacted recovery time scale, pain and stiffness can be very disabling and causes high levels of distress.
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We know, from the research base, that physiotherapy has a limited impact on frozen shoulder, however we also know that the most effective way to treat frozen shoulder is with an ultrasound guided steroid injection.
An ultrasound guided steroid injection has been proven to be a highly accurate and effective method of delivering a potent dose of an anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroid) direct to the intended target. Even so, an ultrasound guided steroid injection is predominantly designed to control the pain associated with frozen shoulder and does not always increase flexibility of the shoulder. Any increase in range of movement after an ultrasound guided injection should be seen as an additional bonus!
There are two highly effective injection options available to treat frozen shoulder both of which we routinely use in our clinic in Cambridge. These are;
Recently many or our patients, suffering with frozen shoulder, have told us the same story. They have been waiting for an injection after a referral from their G.P however, due to the Covid 19 crisis they have not been unable to access this service. Unfortunately, as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, NHS musculoskeletal services have either been closed or been significantly reduced. One large service review of a leading NHS trust revealed an 87% reduction in face-to-face appointments. This has resulted in many patients, suffering from painful conditions, such as frozen shoulder, not being able to access the treatment that they need.
Because of the current situation many patients who would have accessed an NHS injection have now been looking for an affordable and effective alternative option. Unfortunately, there is a common belief that a private guided injection comes attached with a high price tag, however, this does not have to be the case. There is an affordable option available and you don’t have to wait!!!
Complete injections Cambridge are in the unique position to provide you with an affordable, one stop ultrasound guided injection service. Our Cambridge service is run by Luke Millward, an advanced practice physiotherapist (APP) who is a fully qualified musculoskeletal sonographer and an independent prescriber. His experience means you can confidentially self-refer yourself into our service for rapid and effective pain relief without needed to have a referral from your G.P. We have great working relationships with local physiotherapists and osteopaths, many who accompany their patients to their injection. We believe that working closely with your therapist ensures you get the best results before and after your guided procedure.
Complete injections Cambridge is located at the Coach House Health Care clinic in Trumpington, just behind the Trumpington Waitrose supermarket, and only one mile away the M11 motorway. It is an ideal location for patients living in Cambridge as well as people travelling from further afield. During February and March 2021, we have treated frozen shoulder patients travelling from Essex, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Norfolk as well as local residents from Cambridge, Shelford, Hadley, Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow.
This is what one of our patients had to say about our service;
“I have been suffering from a frozen shoulder for over one year now. I have seen two physiotherapists and was given stretching and strengthening exercises. This helped a little bit but my shoulder remained very stiff and painful. It got to the point that I was unable to dress or wash without crying out in pain. I could not sleep on my right side at all. I went to see my doctor and I had an Xray which was clear. I was referred to the hospital for an injection but that was in April 2020 and I am still waiting to hear back now! I understand the pressure on the NHS and that I am not a priority at the moment but my pain was so strong that I decided to start looking at private injections close to me. The prices quoted by some of the private hospitals we far out of my price bracket but then I found Complete Injections. The price was about a quarter of one quote I had received so I decided to give them a call. I chatted to one of the clinical directors on the phone who gave me lots of information about the injection and asked me lots of questions to see if I was appropriate of an injection. It was very through. They also sent me lots of information and a consent form to sign before my appointment. All very impressive!
The appointment did not disappoint either. The clinic was very smart and Luke was warm and welcoming. He did an assessment and a scan and explained everything in great detail. It was nice to be listened to! The injection itself wasn’t half as bad as I was expecting and I felt the benefits almost immediately. Luke told me that was the local anaesthetic talking!!!
That night I had the best night’s sleep I had had in months and things are still feeling good, 3 months later. My arm still is stiff but I can now use it.
If you have a frozen shoulder, I would definitely recommend you give Luke and Complete injections a go”.
If you feel you might be suffering from a frozen shoulder or would like to know more please feel free to contact us on 0207 4823875 or email injections@complete-physio.co.uk.