In our previous blog, we explored what Frozen Shoulder is. In this blog we would like to let you know how we can manage a frozen shoulder.
In most rare cases, frozen shoulders get better on their own, even without treatment. However, in most cases people never regain the full range of motion they had before normally. There are few treatment option for frozen shoulder as below:
Medication: Antiinflammatory (NSAIDs). Prescriptions should be made by a professional physician.
- Physiotherapy: certain exercise and manual techniques that can improve your shoulder mobility.
- Local steroid injection
- Surgery: People who do not get better with other treatments, can option for surgery to “release” the shoulder joint but experts recommend to wait at least a year before considering the surgery as this option can carry risk.
If you have a frozen shoulder, remember that your recovery can be a slow process and you do need to give time for the treatment to work.
Trying the conservative approach is always recommended and having NSAIDs with Physiotherapy is the best as it helps manage the pain while you are working on your shoulder with your Physiotherapist. He or she will prescribe proper exercises and guide you along your recovery. Don’t shy away and be embarrassed about seeing one because they are the best option you’ll have. Seeking a non conservative approach is allowed only if your condition is severe. Here’s an article if you would like to compare the frozen shoulder treatments.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695331/
These are some exercises you can do to improve shoulder movements
Shoulder pendulum - to loosen the adhesive shoulder joint.
Posterior capsule stretch - to improve shoulder movement and prevent joint stiffness
Finger ladder - to improve forward shoulder movement
Towel stretch - to improve shoulder rotation
Abduction with stick - to improve shoulder side lifting movement
Frozen Shoulder Treatment: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Remedies
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It usually develops gradually, worsens over time, and may last for several months to years. Frozen shoulder occurs when the tissues in the shoulder joint become thick and stiff, making it difficult to move the arm.
While frozen shoulder can affect anyone, it’s more common in women, people over 40, those with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, and those who have recently had shoulder surgery or arm fractures. If left untreated, frozen shoulder can lead to permanent stiffness and loss of shoulder function.
The good news is that there are several effective treatments for frozen shoulder. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, and remedies for this condition.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. However, several factors can increase your risk of developing this condition, including:
Age: Frozen shoulder is more common in people over 40 years old.
Gender: Women are more likely to develop frozen shoulder than men.
Medical conditions: People with diabetes, thyroid disorders, heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease are at a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Shoulder surgery or injury: Surgery or injury to the shoulder can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to frozen shoulder.
Prolonged immobilization: Keeping your shoulder immobile for a long time, such as after surgery or injury, can cause frozen shoulder.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
The symptoms of frozen shoulder develop gradually and can last for months to years. They include:
Pain: The pain is usually dull or aching and can be felt deep in the shoulder joint. It may be worse at night or when lying on the affected side.
Stiffness: The shoulder joint becomes stiff and difficult to move, especially when trying to lift the arm above the head.
Limited range of motion: As the stiffness worsens, the range of motion in the shoulder joint becomes limited. This can affect daily activities such as getting dressed or reaching for objects.
Muscle weakness: The muscles around the shoulder joint may become weaker due to disuse, leading to further loss of function.
Remedies for Frozen Shoulder
There are several remedies for frozen shoulder that can help relieve pain and improve shoulder function. These include:
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you perform gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretches that can help loosen the stiff tissues in the shoulder joint. They may also use techniques such as heat, ice, or massage to reduce pain and inflammation.
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medications or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to loosen the stiff tissues in the shoulder joint. This is usually done under general anesthesia and involves manipulating the arm to break up the scar tissue.
Home remedies: You can also try several home remedies to relieve pain and improve shoulder function, including:
- Applying heat or ice to the shoulder joint for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Doing gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretches as recommended by your physical therapist.
- Taking over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs as directed.
- Using a sling or brace to immobilize the shoulder joint for short periods.
- Getting plenty of rest and avoiding activities that aggravate the pain.
Preventing Frozen Shoulder
While it’s not always possible to prevent frozen shoulder, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing this condition. These include:
Maintaining good posture: Poor posture can put unnecessary strain on the shoulders and cause inflammation.
Regular exercise: Regular exercise can help improve flexibility and range of motion in the shoulders and reduce the risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Avoiding shoulder injuries: To reduce the risk of developing frozen shoulder, it’s important to avoid injuries to the shoulder joint. This can be done by using proper technique during physical activities and sports, and avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the shoulders.
Treating medical conditions: If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or thyroid disorder, it’s important to manage it properly to reduce the risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Conclusion
Frozen shoulder can be a painful and debilitating condition, but it’s important to know that there are effective treatments available. If you’re experiencing symptoms of frozen shoulder, it’s important to see a doctor or physical therapist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Physical therapy, medications, and surgery are all effective remedies for frozen shoulder, and home remedies such as heat and gentle exercises can also help relieve pain and improve shoulder function. By taking steps to prevent shoulder injuries and manage medical conditions, you can reduce your risk of developing frozen shoulder and enjoy healthy, pain-free shoulders for years to come.