frozen shoulder | Macht Medical Group

Frozen Shoulder: Understanding and Treating This Condition

“Frozen Shoulder”, often called Adhesive Capsulitis, is a disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It usually begins gradually, worsens over time, and then slowly improves.

What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder develops when the capsule enclosing the shoulder joint gets inflamed and tightens, causing restricted movement and pain. The condition develops in three stages:

1. Freezing: Leads to increased pain and stiffness.
2. Frozen: Reduced pain but still stiff.
3. Thawing: Leads to gradual increase in range of motion.

Causes and Risk Factors

The actual etiology of frozen shoulder is frequently unknown, however risk factors include:

• Age (40-60 years)

• Gender (more prevalent in women)

• Diabetes and thyroid diseases.

• Long-term shoulder immobilization.

Physical Therapy Interventions

Physical therapy is essential for treating frozen shoulder. Treatment approaches could include:

1. Perform range of motion exercises; gentle stretching to increase flexibility.

2. Strengthening exercises to support the shoulder joint.

3. Manual treatment uses hands-on approaches to mobilize the joint.

4. Pain management options include ice, heat, and electrical stimulation.

5. Patient Education: Home exercise routines and activity changes.

Recovery Timeline:

Recovery from frozen shoulder might take months or years. Adhering to a physical therapy program on a regular basis can greatly enhance outcomes and perhaps accelerate recovery.

When to Seek Help:

If you have persistent shoulder discomfort or stiffness, see a physical therapist or doctor for an evaluation. Early intervention can help prevent the illness from deteriorating and speed up recovery.

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder has an idiopathic gradual onset resulting in pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Due to pain, the person tends to use the shoulder less. Frozen shoulder causes the shoulder joint to become inflamed resulting in thickening, scarring, and shrinkage of the joint capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. Scar tissue and adhesions form around the shoulder joint resulting in chronic stiffness.

Some reasons people may get a frozen shoulder are from having poor posture, prolonged immobility from a previous injury, diabetes, or disuse from pain. Research shows, frozen shoulder is often the first sign of undiagnosed diabetes. This is more commonly found in women over 50 years old.

Diligent physical therapy is the key to recovering from a frozen shoulder. Rehabilitation from a frozen shoulder can take weeks to months, depending on the severity. Your therapist may apply heat and ultrasound to warm up the joint and instruct you in stretching/strengthening exercises to restore the range of motion and strength of your shoulder. Ice is often applied after exercises to reduce inflammation.