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Frozen Shoulder
(Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
What is Frozen Shoulder? (“Adhesive Capsulitis")
Adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition in which the shoulder gradually loses its range of motion over time. This condition is also referred to as “frozen shoulder” because of how difficult it is for a person to move their shoulder. The shoulder is not actually frozen, just stiff.
Adhesive capsulitis causes scar tissue to form in the shoulder region. The condition usually goes through various stages until it is treated. Initially, the patient may experience sharp pains during certain movements- such as putting a coat on. This stage can last up to eight months. The second stage is referred to as the adhesive stage, during which the movements of the shoulder become noticeably stiffer, the arm begins to ache, and sleep is disturbed when the patient rolls onto the affected side. This stage usually lasts 4 to 6 months and is generally less painful than the first stage. The final stage lasts about one to three months. At this time, it usually becomes easier to move the shoulder. Pain may exist still and you won’t get the full range of motion back with treatment.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder?
An injury to the shoulder joint such as rotator cuff injury can cause adhesive capsulitis to form. Other conditions that can lead to adhesive capsulitis include tendinitis and bursitis. However, the condition can form without any warning and, in general, the cause is unknown.
This type of condition appears more commonly in people with diabetes, chronic (long term) inflammatory arthritis of the shoulder or after chest or breast surgery. If the shoulder has been immobilized for a long period of time, adhesive capsulitis could develop as a result.
Treatment
Physiotherapy will consist of manual therapy to increase the movement at the shoulder joint. In some cases some sort of heating will be applied to make the ligament more mobile. Advice will be provided regarding rehabilitation exercises.
In some cases it may be necessary to have a steroid injection as an adjunct to treatment. In some, severe, cases surgery may be needed.