Frozen shoulder is an inflammatory condition of the shoulder that usually gets better by itself, but recovery can take a frustratingly long time. Therapies and medications can help reduce symptoms and speed up the healing process of this lingering condition.
What is happening
The term frozen shoulder, or as it is otherwise known, adhesive capsulitis, refers to a condition where the shoulder joint is so painful and stiff that the affected person is unable to properly move the joint.
If you have a frozen shoulder you commonly are unable to lift your arm past shoulder height, you often cannot tuck in your shirt or do up your bra and you may have difficulty brushing your hair. Initially movement tends to be restricted by pain but with time, stiffness of the joint is the more common reason for the restricted movement.
The real cause of frozen shoulder is not known. Traditionally, it was thought of as a condition that affected by only women. But this is now known not to be the case as there are many instances of the condition occuring in men. In fact, the ratio of women to men is now thought to be in the order of three to two.
The most common age group effect are people between 40 and 70 years of age. Younger people tend not to get a frozen shoulder unless it is precipitated by some major trauma to the shoulder joint, such as a fracture.
LIKELY FIRST STEPSIf you have a frozen shoulder you commonly are unable to lift your arm past shoulder height, you often cannot tuck in your shirt or do up your bra and you may have difficulty brushing your hair. Initially movement tends to be restricted by pain but with time, stiffness of the joint is the more common reason for the restricted movement.
The real cause of frozen shoulder is not known. Traditionally, it was thought of as a condition that affected by only women. But this is now known not to be the case as there are many instances of the condition occuring in men. In fact, the ratio of women to men is now thought to be in the order of three to two.
The most common age group effect are people between 40 and 70 years of age. Younger people tend not to get a frozen shoulder unless it is precipitated by some major trauma to the shoulder joint, such as a fracture.
- Rest during the acute inflammatory phase.
- Anti-inflammation and analgesics help ease the pain--especially at night.
- Local heat can help ease muscle pain when trying to mobilise the shoulder after the painful phase.
- Do exercises to restore mobility in the shoulder after the inflammation has resolved.
- Should I be doing exercises if the pain in my shoulder is severe?
- Should I wear a sling?
- Are my other joints likely to be affected at some time in the future?
- What are the risks if I have a cortisone injection into the joint?
- Is exercise likely to trigger a recurrence?
Treatment Options
MEDICATIONS
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Analgesics Help with the pain in the acute phase.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-inflammatories Can reduce some of the inflammation that occurs initially with a frozen
shoulder.
PROCEDURES
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Corticosteroids Infected into the joint often. Directly reduceds inflammation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrodilatation Used with corticosteroids. Is very beneficial for some people.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manipulation under To restore mobility.
anaesthetic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthroscopic capsular release Very successufl in severe cases.
NATURAL METHODS
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Rest Beneficial in the acute;painful phase.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage, physiotherapy, Help restore mobility and muscle strength.
chiropractic treatment Acupuncture has been shown to help with both pain and mobility.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercises Can accelerate recovery.
TAKING CONTROL
The first stage is the very painful inflammation of the shoulder joint and its capsule. The pain is made worse by movement and it is often particularly painful at night in bed. Sometimes people can remember doing something that could be responsible for the inflammation, such as reaching into the back seat of the car or cleaning windows, but more often the problem appears to have come out of the blue. This stage can last for weeks or even months but in most people the pain has lessened dramatically within eight months. Sometimes your doctor may send you for an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
The second stage is when scar tissue starts to develop around the afftected shoulder joint. At this stage the shoulder is usually much less painful but there is increasing stiffness in the joint. You will notice that you have restricted movement of the arm in all directions and this tends to get worse over the course of this stage, which can last up to 12 months.
Finally, in stage three, there is well-established scar tissue and very little, if any, pain. Over the course of this stage, often referred to as the 'thawing' stage, movement gradually returns to the joint.
MEDICATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analgesics Help with the pain in the acute phase.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-inflammatories Can reduce some of the inflammation that occurs initially with a frozen
shoulder.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corticosteroids Infected into the joint often. Directly reduceds inflammation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrodilatation Used with corticosteroids. Is very beneficial for some people.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manipulation under To restore mobility.
anaesthetic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthroscopic capsular release Very successufl in severe cases.
NATURAL METHODS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest Beneficial in the acute;painful phase.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massage, physiotherapy, Help restore mobility and muscle strength.
chiropractic treatment Acupuncture has been shown to help with both pain and mobility.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercises Can accelerate recovery.
TAKING CONTROL
- Be patient. Remember no matter what you do, your shoulders is likely to improve with time. You will not be incapacitated forever.
- Enlist the help of family and friends, especially when the shoulder is painful. Tasks such as hanging out the washing or mowing the lawn will simply not be possible for a while.
- Ensure pain-relief is adequate. Things will seem much worse if you are unable to sleep because of the pain.
- Try a number of therapies. Acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment have all been shown to help a frozen shoulder, especially if these treatments are combined.
- Develop an exercise routine. Once the shoulder is no longer painful, regular exercises can help restore mobility. This is particularly important if you've had surgery to divide the scar tissue. Without exercise the scar tissue will simply re-form.
The first stage is the very painful inflammation of the shoulder joint and its capsule. The pain is made worse by movement and it is often particularly painful at night in bed. Sometimes people can remember doing something that could be responsible for the inflammation, such as reaching into the back seat of the car or cleaning windows, but more often the problem appears to have come out of the blue. This stage can last for weeks or even months but in most people the pain has lessened dramatically within eight months. Sometimes your doctor may send you for an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
The second stage is when scar tissue starts to develop around the afftected shoulder joint. At this stage the shoulder is usually much less painful but there is increasing stiffness in the joint. You will notice that you have restricted movement of the arm in all directions and this tends to get worse over the course of this stage, which can last up to 12 months.
Finally, in stage three, there is well-established scar tissue and very little, if any, pain. Over the course of this stage, often referred to as the 'thawing' stage, movement gradually returns to the joint.
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