Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition in which shoulder movement is limited. Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder happens when the strong connective tissue that surrounds your shoulder joint (known as the shoulder joint capsule) thickens, stiffens, and inflames. The joint capsule houses the ligaments that connect the top of your upper arm bone (humeral head) to your shoulder socket (glenoid), firmly anchoring the joint in place. This is generally referred to as a ball-and-socket joint.

The condition is known as a frozen shoulder because the more discomfort you experience, the less inclined you are to utilize your shoulder. Lack of use leads your shoulder capsule to thicken and tighten, making it even more difficult to move—it is frozen in place.

Symptoms

Healthcare providers categorize frozen shoulder symptoms into three stages:

• The freezing stage: At this stage, your shoulder stiffens and is uncomfortable to move. The ache slowly worsens. It may get worse at night. Your shoulder becomes increasingly immobile. This stage lasts between six weeks and nine months.
• The frozen stage: Pain may subside, but your shoulder remains rigid. This makes it harder to complete daily jobs and activities. This stage lasts from two to six months.
• The thawing (recovery) phase: At this point, the discomfort subsides, and your ability to move your shoulder gradually returns. Full or near-full recovery is usual for strength and mobility return. The stage typically lasts between six months and two years.

Causes

Researchers are not sure why frozen shoulder develops. The problem develops when inflammation causes the shoulder joint capsule to thicken and constrict. Adhesions, or thick bands of scar tissue, form over time, and your shoulder joint loses synovial fluid. This makes it more difficult for your shoulder to move and rotate normally.

Risk factor

The following risk factors increase your chances of developing frozen shoulder:

• Age
• Sex
• Recent shoulder injury
• Diabetes
• Other health diseases and conditions

Diagnosis

To diagnose frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history. In addition, they will examine your arms and shoulders. They'll:

• Move your shoulder in all directions to assess your range of motion and see if there is any pain while moving. This form of assessment, in which your provider moves your arm, is known as passive range of motion.
• Watch how you move your shoulder to determine your active range of motion.
• Compare the two modes of motion. People with frozen shoulders have reduced range of motion, both active and passive.

Your provider will most likely order shoulder X-rays to ensure that your symptoms are not caused by another shoulder disease, such as arthritis. Frozen shoulder is typically diagnosed without the use of advanced imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. However, your provider may ask them to test for other concerns, such as a rotator cuff tear.

Treatment

Until the initial phase of frozen shoulder treatment is complete, pain management measures are typically used. If you can't regain motion on your own, you may need therapy or surgery. Here are some simple remedies for adhesive capsulitis:

• Hot and cold compress. These help reduce pain and swelling.
• Medicines that reduce pain and swelling. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Your doctor may prescribe more pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications. Steroid injections can help you manage extreme pain and swelling. Your provider will inject a corticosteroid, such as cortisone, straight into your shoulder joint.
• Physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you how to stretch and perform range-of-motion exercises.
• Home exercise program. Your healthcare provider can demonstrate exercises you can do at home.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A small, battery-operated device is used to alleviate pain by blocking nerve impulses.

If these noninvasive therapies do not alleviate your discomfort and shoulder stiffness after a year, your doctor may propose additional operations. These include anaesthetic manipulation and shoulder arthroscopy. Providers frequently combine these two procedures to achieve better results.

Prevention

You can lower your risk of frozen shoulder by beginning physical therapy as soon as possible following any shoulder injury that causes discomfort or difficulty with shoulder movement. Your orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist can tailor an exercise regimen to your unique requirements.

Conclusion

Frozen shoulder is a painful and frequently unpleasant illness that can impair your ability to carry out daily chores. While recovery may take some time, early intervention, physical therapy, and a combination of conservative treatments can greatly improve outcomes. Understanding the causes and symptoms of frozen shoulder, as well as effective treatment choices, can help you manage the disease and resume an active, pain-free lifestyle. If you are experiencing prolonged shoulder discomfort or stiffness, you should see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Visit SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals to learn more.