Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes restriction of motion in the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue. Most often, frozen shoulder occurs with no associated injury or discernible cause. There are patients who develop a frozen shoulder after a traumatic injury to the shoulder, but this is not the usual cause.
Frozen shoulder most commonly affects patients between the ages of 40 to 60 years old, and it is twice as common in women than in men. Patients with diabetes are at particular risk for developing a frozen shoulder. Other endocrine abnormalities, such as thyroid problems, can also lead to this condition.
Patients who sustain a shoulder injury, or undergo surgery on the shoulder can develop a frozen shoulder joint. When injury or surgery is followed by prolonged joint immobilization, the risk of developing a frozen shoulder is highest. Several systemic conditions such as heart disease and Parkinson's disease have also been associated with an increased risk for developing a frozen shoulder.
Normally, the shoulder joint allows more motion than any other joint in the body. When a patient develops a frozen shoulder, the capsule surround the joint contracts. The patients form bands of scar tissue called adhesions. The contraction of the capsule and the formation of the adhesions cause the frozen shoulder to become stiff and cause movement to become painful.
A frozen shoulder causes a typical set of symptoms that can be identified by your doctor. The major symptoms are : Shoulder pain (usually a dull, aching pain), Limited movement of the shoulder, Difficulty with activities such as brushing hair, etc, Pain when trying to sleep on the affected shoulder, etc.
Painful/Freezing Stage is the most painful stage of a frozen shoulder. Motion is restricted, but the shoulder is not as stiff as the frozen stage. This painful stage typically lasts 6-12 weeks. During the frozen stage, the pain usually eases up, but the stiffness worsens. The frozen stage can last 4-6 months. The thawing stage is gradual, and motion steadily improves over a lengthy period of time. The thawing stage can last more than a year.
Frozen shoulder treatment primarily consists of pain relief and physical therapy. Most patients find relief with these simple steps, although the entire treatment process can take several months or longer.
If this fails the next procedure is to manipulate the shoulder when the patient is asleep. Forcing the shoulder causes the scar tissue to tear. Once again it is important to have physiotherapy to maintain the movement achieved under the anaesthetic.
A more contemporary method of treatment is to put a telescope inside the shoulder to divide the scar tissue. This method provides the best results and the quickest return to normal movement.