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. This post presents clear idea for the new users of blogging, that really how to do running a blog.|

  2. Thank you for your whole efforts on this blog. My aunt loves setting aside time for internet research and it is easy to see why. Most of us notice all regarding the compelling way you give good things on your blog and boost participation from other ones about this concern so my simple princess is really studying a great deal. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You are performing a really great job.

  3. Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes which will make the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!|

  4. Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.|

  5. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about %meta_keyword%. Regards|

  6. A person essentially help to make significantly articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular post incredible. Wonderful job!|

  7. I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers however this piece of writing is actually a pleasant piece of writing, keep it up.|

  8. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own website now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.

  9. I always spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s articles everyday along with a cup of coffee.|

  10. Greetings! I’ve been reading your web site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent work!

  11. hufcor inc says:

    I blog often and I really thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

  12. loans stores says:

    These are genuinely fantastic ideas in on the topic of blogging. You have touched some fastidious factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.|

  13. Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  14. Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying these details.|

  15. I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.

  16. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided brilliant transparent concept|

  17. What’s up Dear, are you actually visiting this website regularly, if so afterward you will absolutely take nice knowledge.|

  18. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on %meta_keyword%. Regards|

  19. Hello! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!

    • They announced the olders identity staying was able to smoke cigarettes her entire life span, enjoyed quite a bit of cacao month after month however did not take pleasure of athletics. Is not just that astounding?

  20. Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.|

X

Tell a Friend

captcha