Matthew-boes-snc
Appt : (919) 863-6845
Make an Online Appointment
  • shoulder-arthrocscopy
  • rotar-cuff-tear
  • knee-arthroscopy
  • Acl-reconstruction
  • trusted-sports

The Stiff or “Frozen” Shoulder

Although not related to the cold weather of winter, I thought it would be helpful to discuss a common shoulder problem known as “adhesive capsulitis” or “frozen shoulder.” Frozen shoulder most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 60 and is more common in women. Normal shoulder function depends on pain-free, fluid, and unrestricted motion of the joint. As such, patients afflicted with frozen shoulder can be significantly debilitated with everyday activities such as work, recreation, and sleep impacted. Though the cause of frozen shoulder is not clearly understood, there are certain known risk factors. Below we’ll delve into the symptoms, risk factors, and possible treatment options for frozen shoulder.

Symptoms

Frozen shoulder results from thickening of the tissue that surrounds and stabilizes the shoulder joint making it tight and difficult to move. The tissue may also become significantly inflamed and or irritated making motion of the shoulder painful. Frozen shoulder often follows three predictable phases each with slightly different symptoms as outlined below.

•A dull ache and onset of worsening pain during the first stage (“freezing phase”).

•A slight reduction in pain during the second stage (“frozen phase”) where the shoulder becomes significantly stiff with very little mobility in the shoulder.

•A slow return to normal and pain-free motion in the shoulder in the final stage (thawing phase).

Each phase may last from a few weeks to several months with the complete course of the condition lasting for 18-24 months.

Risk Factors

There are certain factors that can make a person more likely to develop frozen shoulder. These includes:

•Diabetes

•Thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism)

•Parkinson’s disease

•Cardiac disease

•Immobility. If a person becomes immobile for a period of time, usually do to a surgical procedure or injury, then their risk for developing frozen shoulder increases.

Treatment

The most common treatment for frozen shoulder is non-surgical with the aim to reduce irritation and pain in the shoulder and then slowly regain full motion through gentle stretching exercises.

Common treatment methods include:

•Anti-inflammatory medicine

•Steroid injections

•Physical Therapy – both home stretching and office-based treatments

In rare cases where non-surgical treatment fails to resolve the condition, surgery is generally very successful at restoring full shoulder function. The procedure is done athroscopically, or through tiny incisions, and involves gentle manipulation of the shoulder with the patient anesthetized as well as release or cutting of any tight scar tissue around the shoulder.

4,178 comments on “The Stiff or “Frozen” Shoulder

  1. I simply wished to appreciate you again. I am not sure what I would have done without the entire recommendations documented by you about that subject matter. It truly was a difficult dilemma for me, but being able to view a skilled avenue you processed that forced me to cry for happiness. I’m grateful for the work as well as hope you find out what an amazing job that you’re getting into instructing other individuals via your web site. I know that you have never come across all of us.

  2. buy online says:

    Hello very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally¡KI am glad to find a lot of helpful information here within the post, we’d like work out extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  3. soulmate says:

    great points altogether, you simply received a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your submit that you just made some days ago? Any sure?

  4. Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  5. I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye -.

  6. It’s clear you’re passionate about the issues.

  7. Thanks for another wonderful article. The place else may anyone get that type of info in such a perfect means of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the search for such info.

  8. Wood Floor says:

    Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  9. A lot of thanks for all your work on this web page. Kate really likes making time for internet research and it’s really easy to see why. I notice all of the lively method you deliver functional items through this web blog and in addition attract response from some other people on this content plus my child is always becoming educated a lot. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. You are performing a fabulous job.

  10. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  11. Keep working ,fantastic job!

  12. Hello.This post was extremely interesting, particularly since I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Friday.

  13. I’m so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.

  14. Plumbing  says:

    Great remarkable issues here. I¡¦m very satisfied to peer your article. Thanks so much and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?

  15. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.|

    • We will be the chief tool to countless game companies, advertising campaigns agents, and in addition revenue communities for their client-centric evolution and so internet marketing preferences and the reports similar to this honestly do give assistance to us out.

  16. My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  17. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!

  18. yoga says:

    Usually I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.

X

Tell a Friend

captcha