Now I've done it.

[Slowspoke]

After 3 months of no riding and physical therapy, I finally have a good diagnosis. I have a frozen shoulder. I started with tendonitis and progressed from there. That is just one more nail in the coffin for me getting back on my road bike. With a weak lower back and now a shoulder problem, I am switching to a more upright bike. This will be the second summer will little or no miles on my Bianchi Eros Donna. I love that bike! She is beautiful and was my first nice road bike. Now I think I need to sell her. I have a very upright comfort bike for errands and casual rides. If I sell my beloved Bianchi, I might be able to get something more upright for touring. I am not ready to go recummbant...yet! Suggestions?

[beccaB]

Something in the Trek fx series maybe? With my geometry the positioning is more aggressive than a comfort bike, but not so much as a bike with the dropped handlebars.

[Biciclista]

You can completely recover from that frozen shoulder! Don't dump your bike yet.
With the help of a good PT, acupuncture and exercises, I have gained back all the strength and flexibility that I lost from frozen shoulder.
Interesting, when it was at its worst, I was still able to ride albeit gingerly..

[withm]

I feel your pain. I just got over a frozen shoulder - while I could ride my bike for a while, signalling for a left turn was impossible. But it was all the day to day stuff that was really bad - washing or brushing your hair, closing the car door, reaching for anything - these we take for granted, until you suddenly can't do them anymore. Finally after 3 months of PT, 2 cortisone shots, a 2nd set of x-rays and an MRI it was found that I had a bone spur. Had shouolder surgery to have it removed end November, along with a manipulation, another cortisone shot, and another 4 months of PT afterward. Now I have about 95% range of motion, and almost all strength. It was a tough year though while it was growing, and a tough recovery, but it is sooooo much better now.

Perhaps you need a second opinion, or further tests to determine the cause, so it can be fixed?

[Kiwi Stoker]

Please consider some cheaper options before selling your bike for a hybrid or simiar bike! As mentioned you do get over frozen shoulder if you work at it and selling your bike might be regretful later.

I had (and am still recovering from) a broken shoulder and torn tendons and used my hybrid. However to be honest the lack of hand postions, the weight of the bike and the cr-mo fork was actually more painful to ride with the vibrations really going up my arm.

Here's some ideas to stay on your bike-

Get an angled stem- you might need a new saddle for the position but it does make a difference.

If the brakes are hard to pull, install interupt levers. At $30 plus installation it's a cheap fix.

For a total handlebar upgrade, consider getting a bull horn handlebar and getting your STI levers installed on the ends. Yes it looks strange but a good bike shop will be able to set it up for you.

Get a windtrainer and put your bike on it if you are not happy on the road. I found the DVDs with actual rides the best- Carmichael ones drove me insane.

Take your bike to windtrainer classes (you will probably need help for this one). Bike is still useful and you can sit up and rest your shoulder and arm when you want to.

[KnottedYet]

Frozen shoulders are temporary. (so are "weak" backs)

Don't give up your bike. If your PT is telling you to give up your bike, find a new PT.

Here's the PT joke about frozen shoulders: With diligent therapy, ultrasound, massage, exercise, stretching, e-stim, and proper nutrition, a frozen shoulder will get better in about 12 months. If you leave it alone it will get better in about a year.

[Slowspoke]

I can ride now. I stretched enough to be able to reach my handlebars! I am riding a giant sedona until I can get back to my bianchi. I do have some evidence of a bone spur but it is not enough to go through surgery for...yet. My dr. and pt said I could ride, just use common sense ice and ibuprophen LOL>. Thanks ladies! I never heard of a frozen shoulder before I got one. It helps to know you understand my pain!!!

[sandra]

I feel your pain. I suffered with a frozen shoulder for a year. I did physical therapy and lots of stretching. Then later added weights. It got better but my range of motion was horrible!!! A few months ago I joined a gym and started working with a trainer. I think the weight training with the trainer made all the difference.

I didn't ride during that time. (I didn't sleep much either! It's so painful it will keep you from sleeping!) I never though I'd get back 100% range of motion but would have been happy to just be pain free. I've gotten so much stronger and I am finally back 100%. Total recovery was, like they said, 1 year.

[Miranda]

I have not been able to ride either with my messed up shoulder (&neck) from my crash last fall. I'm back on the PT wagon too.

While it is depressing for me, and I feel it's all caving in... my road bike is patiently waiting... going no where. It's funny, the bikes are loyal like that.

Is there anything you can do to make your road bike more upright? Spacers, angeled up stem, etc.... I love my new bars with flat tops... never used the tops before until I got the different shape. Just a couple thoughts.

Hope you get some resolve in the right direction soon.