Frozen Shoulder – Typical Symptoms and Treatment Modalities Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness and swelling of the sac of ligaments surrounding the joint, limiting its range of motion and causing pain. The joint becomes frozen due to the formation of scar tissue in the shoulder capsule.
Causes The exact causes of this shoulder condition are not fully known and in some cases, they are unidentifiable. The bones, tendons and ligaments that make up the shoulder bone are enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue and the joint becomes stiff and painful when the capsule around the bone gets tightened. Some of the potential risk factors •
Age (being over 40 years of age)
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Gender (70% of people with this disease are women, especially in the postmenopausal women)
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Cervical disk disease
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Shoulder trauma or surgery
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Systemic diseases like diabetes, stroke, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, hypothyroidism and Parkinson disease
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Symptoms The main symptoms are decreased motion of the shoulder, pain and stiffness. These symptoms typically include three phases: •
Painful phase – This phase starts with pain and stiffness and typically lasts 2-9 months, with movement problems gradually building up.
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Frozen/adhesive phase – Aches may gradually reduce, but stiffness and limitation in movement will become severe. This stage may last 4-12 months, during which time all movements of the shoulder will be affected.
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Thawing/recovery phase - Aches and stiffness gradually subside and movement slowly becomes normal or near normal.
Treatment Methods After evaluating symptoms and examining the shoulder, imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans may be used to arrive at a proper diagnosis. Treatment will focus on reducing pain and stiffness and maintaining range of shoulder movement. The following minimally invasive treatments would be recommended to help ease symptoms, including pain: •
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This involves the use of low voltage electric simulation on the affected part. This can help in pain management.
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Physical therapy exercises – Special exercise programs help maintain mobility, improve strength and joint flexibility. These generally include strengthening, stretching and range-of-motion exercises.
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Corticosteroid injections – Hormone-related steroid injections relieve pain and swelling. These injections are generally useful during the first phase of symptoms.
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Ice or heat method – Heat and ice application provides short-term relief for aches and stiffness. Ice packs are used to address muscle spasm and joint inflammation, whereas heat application relaxes the muscles.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen work by easing pain and reducing any inflammation.
As these modalities provide considerable relief in the initial stages and help you recover, it’s important that you consult a qualified doctor when you begin to experience symptoms indicative of frozen shoulder. Surgery is usually recommended only as the last resort.
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