Description

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves the stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The signs and symptoms tend to start slowly, then they get worse. Over time, the symptoms improve, usually within 1 to 3 years.

Having to keep a shoulder still for a long period of time increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. This can occur after surgery or a broken arm.

Treatment for frozen shoulder involves range-of-motion exercises. Sometimes, the treatment consists of corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint. Rarely, arthroscopic surgery is necessary to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely.

It is unusual for frozen shoulder to recur in the same shoulder. But some people may develop it in the other shoulder, usually within five years.

Symptoms

Frozen shoulder is slow to develop in three stages.

  • Level of freezing. Any movement of the shoulder causes pain, and the shoulder of the limited movement capability. This phase lasts for 2 to 9 months.
  • Frozen stage. The pain may decrease during this stage. However, your shoulder becomes stiffer. The use makes it more difficult. This stage lasts for 4 to 12 months.
  • The thawing of the stage. The shoulder is the ability to move begins to improve. This stage lasts from 5 to 24 months.

For some people, the pain is worse at night, sometimes, the sleep disruption.

Causes

The shoulder joint is encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement.

It is not clear why this happens to some people. But it is more likely to occur after keeping the shoulder still for a long period of time, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing frozen shoulder.

Age and sex

People 40 and older, especially women, are more likely to have frozen shoulder.

Immobility or reduced mobility

People who have had to keep a shoulder something they are still at greater risk of developing frozen shoulder. Restricted movement can be the result of many factors, including:

  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Broken arm
  • Stroke
  • The recovery from the surgery

Systemic diseases

People who have certain diseases are more likely to develop frozen shoulder. Diseases that may increase the risk include:

  • Diabetes
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  • Low activity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Parkinson's disease

Prevention

One of the most common causes of frozen shoulder is not the movement of a shoulder as he recovers from a shoulder injury, a broken arm or a stroke. If you have had an injury that makes it difficult to move the shoulder, talk to your health care provider about the exercises that can help you maintain your ability to move the shoulder joint.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor may ask you to move your arm in certain ways. This is to check for pain and see how far you can move the arm (active range of motion). Then, we may ask you to relax your muscles, while the provider moves your arm (passive range of motion). Frozen shoulder affects both active and passive range-of-motion.

Frozen shoulder can usually be diagnosed based on signs and symptoms alone. But imaging tests — such as X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging can rule out other problems.

Treatment

Most frozen shoulder treatment involves controlling shoulder pain and preserving as much range of motion in the shoulder as possible.

Drugs

Pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with frozen shoulder. In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe stronger pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications.

Therapy

A physical therapist can teach you the range of motion exercises to help regain their movement in the shoulder. Their commitment to doing these exercises, it is necessary to recover as much movement as possible.

Surgical and other procedures

Most frozen shoulders improve their own within 12 to 18 months. Severe or persistent symptoms, other treatments include:

  • The steroid injections. Corticosteroid injection into the shoulder joint may help decrease the pain and improve mobility of the shoulders, particularly if administered soon after frozen shoulder begins.
  • Hydrodilatation. The injection of sterile water in the capsule of the joint, can help stretch the tissue and make it easier for the movement of the joint. This is sometimes combined with a steroid injection.
  • The shoulder of the manipulation. This procedure involves a medication called general anesthesia, so you will be unconscious and feel no pain. Then, the care provider of movements of the shoulder joint in different directions to help loosen the tight tissue.
  • Surgery. Surgery for frozen shoulder is rare. But if nothing helps, surgery can remove the scar tissue from the inside of the shoulder joint. This surgery generally involves making small incisions for small instruments guided by a small camera inside of the joint (arthroscopy).

Lifestyle and home remedies

Continuing the use of the shoulder and arm as much as possible, given his pain and range-of-motion limits. The application of heat or cold on the shoulder can help to relieve the pain.

Alternative medicine

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles are put into the skin at certain points on the body. Normally, the needles stay in place for 15 to 40 minutes. The needles are not, in general, very far away. Most acupuncture treatments are relatively painless.

Nerve stimulation

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit delivers a small electrical current to the key points in a way that a nerve in the following way. The current delivered through electrodes attached to the skin, it is not painful or harmful. It is not known exactly how TENS works. Could cause the release of molecules that inhibit pain (endorphins) or block of fibers that carry the pain.

Preparing for your appointment

You can first see your primary care provider. In some cases, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of bones and muscles (orthopedic surgeon or physiatrist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, be prepared with:

  • A complete description of your symptoms and when they began
  • The information about the medical problems that you have had
  • Information about the health problems of your parents or siblings
  • The names of all the medications and supplements you take
  • Questions to ask the doctor

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions, such as:

  • What makes their symptoms worse?
  • Have you ever injured your shoulder? If so, how?
  • Do you have diabetes?
  • Has had recent surgeries or had to keep your shoulder still for a while?
Symptoms and treatment of Frozen shoulder