How Physical Therapy Can Help Frozen Shoulder At Active Physical Therapy
Active Physical Therapy provides state of the art treatment throughout the state of Maryland. Active has locations in Clinton, Frederick, Gaithersburg/Germantown, Hagerstown, Laurel and Silver Spring / Takoma Park Maryland. Our experienced and dedicated physical therapists and certified hand therapists work closely with our diverse clinical team to design individualized treatment plans to achieve specific goals for each patient.
What is Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder syndrome, clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and debilitating condition. It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Over time, the shoulder becomes very hard to move. It may happen after an injury or overuse or from a disease such as diabetes or a stroke. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become difficult and painful. The condition usually comes on slowly, and then goes away slowly over the course of a year or more. Frozen shoulder has three stages, each of which has different symptoms. The 3 Stages are: 1. Freezing – characterised by pain around the shoulder initially, followed by a progressive loss of range of movement. Known as the RED phase due to the capsule colour if you undergo arthroscopic surgery. 2. Frozen – minimal pain, with no further loss or regain of range. Known as the PINK phase due to the capsule colour if you undergo arthroscopic surgery. 3. Thawing – gradual return of range of movement, some weakness due to disuse of the shoulder. Known as the WHITE phase due to the capsule colour if you undergo arthroscopic surgery. Each stage can last on average 6 to 8 months if left untreated.
What causes frozen shoulder? The bones, ligaments and tendons that make up your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens to some people,
although it’s more likely to occur in people who stop using the joint normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or a stroke. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to keep full range of motion. How Is It Diagnosed? Often, physical therapists don’t see patients with adhesive capsulitis until well into the freezing phase or early in the frozen phase. At Active Physical Therapy , our physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation, including an extensive health history, to rule out other diagnoses. Our therapist will look for a specific pattern in your decreased range of motion; it’s called a “capsular pattern” and is typical with adhesive capsulitis. In addition, our therapist will consider other conditions you might have – such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune disorders – that are associated with adhesive capsulitis.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help? At Active Physical Therapy , our physical therapist’s overall goal is to restore your movement so that you can perform your activities and life roles. Once the evaluation process has identified the stage of your condition, your therapist will create an exercise program tailored to your needs. Exercise has been found to be most effective for those who are in stage 2 or higher.
● Stages 1 and 2 : Our physical therapist will help you maintain as much range of motion as possible and will help reduce the pain. Our therapist may use a combination of stretching and manual therapy techniques to increase your range of motion. The therapist also may decide to use treatments such as heat and ice to help relax the muscles prior to other forms of treatment. The therapist will give you a home exercise program designed to help reduce the loss of motion. ● Stage 3 : The focus of treatment will be on the return of motion, with the therapist using more aggressive stretching and manual therapy techniques. You may begin some strengthening exercises as well, and your home exercise program will change to include these exercises.
● Stage 4 : In the final stage, Active Physical therapist will focus on the return of “normal” shoulder body mechanics and your return to normal, everyday, pain-free activities. The therapist will continue to use stretching, strength training, and a variety of manual therapy techniques. Sometimes, conservative care cannot reduce the pain. If this happens to you, your physical therapist may refer you for an injection of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication into the joint space. Research has shown that although these injections don’t provide longer-term benefit for range of motion and don’t shorten the duration of the condition, they do offer short-term benefit in reducing pain.
Can frozen shoulder be prevented? Gentle, progressive range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and using your shoulder more may help prevent frozen shoulder after surgery or an injury. Experts don’t know what causes some cases of frozen shoulder, and it may not be possible to prevent these. But be patient and follow your doctor’s advice. Frozen shoulder nearly always gets better over time.
What Kind of Physical Therapist Do You Need? ● At Active Physical Therapy , we are experienced in treating people with orthopedic, or musculoskeletal, problems. ● Our therapist is a board-certified clinical specialist or who completed a residency or fellowship in orthopaedic physical therapy. This therapist has advanced knowledge, experience, and skills that may apply to your condition. At Active Physical Therapy , we are also able to teach you ways to decrease your pain and improve your ability to do the things you haven’t been able to do because of the pain and immobility in your shoulder. 0 Active Physical Therapy has locations in Clinton , Frederick , Gaithersburg/Germantown , Hagerstown , Laurel , Hyattsville/ Takoma Park Maryland .
Our Locations in Maryland For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call:
Clinton Phone: 3018772323
Frederick Phone: 3016629335
Gaithersburg/Germantown Phone: 3019168540
Hagerstown Phone: 3017903929
Laurel Phone: 3014981604
Hyattsville / Takoma Park Phone: 3014341850