“Frozen shoulder” accurately describes the shoulder pain and progressive loss of motion caused by this condition. As if dealing with those symptoms isn’t enough of a challenge, it can take years to recover from a frozen shoulder if you let it run its course. However, early treatment can lead to faster improvement.
At Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., we accurately diagnose the problem and develop a customized treatment plan that relieves your pain and shortens your recovery.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) gradually stops shoulder movement. Here’s how the condition develops.
A protective, fluid-filled capsule surrounds the shoulder joint. The capsule lubricates and helps stabilize the joint. It also expands and tightens as needed to support arm movement.
A frozen shoulder begins when the capsule tissues become inflamed and swollen. Inflammation causes pain, makes the tissues thicken, and leads to scarring.
As more scar tissue forms, the capsule increasingly tightens, and shoulder movement is progressively limited.
Anyone can have a frozen shoulder, but the problem usually occurs after age 40. Women have a higher risk than men. Your risk also rises if you temporarily immobilize your shoulder due to an injury or surgery.
You’re three times more likely to develop a frozen shoulder if you have diabetes. Additionally, thyroid, heart, and Parkinson’s disease are associated with a higher risk.
Pain and the loss of shoulder movement are the primary signs of a frozen shoulder. However, your symptoms change as the condition goes through three stages:
In the first stage, shoulder pain gradually increases. At the same time, shoulder movement steadily decreases. The freezing stage can endure for about six weeks to 9 months.
During the frozen stage, your pain may improve, but you won’t be able to move your shoulder. In many cases, passive movement is also difficult or impossible. (Passive movement is when someone else tries to move your arm.) This stage typically lasts 4-6 months.
Your shoulder movement gradually improves in this stage. However, “gradual” is the key word. It takes six months to 2-3 years to restore the shoulder’s strength and range of motion. Recovery can take longer and may become a chronic problem for some people.
After examining your shoulder and diagnosing adhesive capsulitis, we create a treatment plan to ease your pain and promote healing and movement.
Though we customize your care based on the stage and symptom severity, everyone with a frozen shoulder needs similar therapies, including:
NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) reduce inflammation and pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs may be enough to relieve your pain. If they don’t work, we may recommend prescription NSAIDs.
Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory medicines. An injection allows the medicine to reach the tissues, significantly reducing inflammation and improving pain.
Exercises to stretch the tissues and restore motion are the cornerstone of your treatment. Moving the joint helps the shoulder “thaw” and accelerates your recovery.
We recommend exercises to do at home. You may also benefit from a structured physical therapy program.
In addition to exercise, physical therapists offer other treatments to promote healing and improve movement. For example, they may recommend therapeutic massage, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound therapy.
If your shoulder doesn’t improve, the next step may be hydrodilatation. We inject a large amount of sterile fluid into the shoulder joint. The fluid helps restore movement by expanding and stretching the capsule.
Surgery is the last treatment option but may be needed to improve your symptoms, restore shoulder movement, and advance your recovery. There are two surgeries for a frozen shoulder:
Manipulation under surgery. We manually manipulate the shoulder while you’re under general anesthesia. As a result, the scar tissue stretches or tears, loosening the capsule and increasing the shoulder’s range of motion.
Shoulder arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure using a small incision and pencil-sized instruments. During the procedure, we cut and loosen the scar tissue.
Don’t wait to seek help if you develop shoulder pain or immobility. Call Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., to schedule an appointment today and get expert care to restore a healthy shoulder.
