Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) –
Overview
A
frozen shoulder, also known as ‘adhesive capsulitis’ condition, is a joint
disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the affected shoulder joint as well
as limiting its range of motion considerably. This condition is known to be
caused due to a variety of factors.
It
basically stiffens the soft connective tissue around the shoulder joint which
helps to provide strength, support and allow free movement of the shoulder
joint. It may be seen after a trauma to the shoulder or due to a stroke or
diabetes.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen
shoulder may be caused when the shoulder joint is not used normally, mostly
after an injury or a medical condition such as diabetes or a stroke. Any form
of shoulder disorder can lead to a frozen shoulder.
These
are the most common causes of frozen shoulder:
· Injury
· Surgery
· Advancing age
· Postmenopausal symptom
· Chronic disease
· Injury
· Surgery
· Advancing age
· Postmenopausal symptom
· Chronic disease
Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder
The
doctor will usually determine the development of a frozen shoulder by a
thorough physical examination of the shoulder. If the physical examination
shows restriction of motion and pain in the shoulder joint then an x-ray test
may be done to determine if the condition has developed due to an underlying
medical disorder such as fractures bone or arthritis.
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
There
are various treatment methods for treating a frozen shoulder joint. The type of
treatment usually depends on basic factors such as the cause, severity and your
age.
The
doctor will take these, and other, factors into consideration before suggesting
the best-suitable treatment for your frozen shoulder.
These
are the commonly used treatment methods for frozen shoulder:
Non-surgical -
A
frozen shoulder is initially treated using non-surgical methods such as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and applying heat to the
affected shoulder. The doctor will also suggest gentle stretching exercises to
allow for increasing the range of motion.
In
some cases the doctor may also suggest applying ice or medicinal drugs,
including corticosteroid injections to decrease the swelling as well as the
pain.
In
cases where there is vast restriction on the range of motion in the shoulder
the doctor will usually suggest physical therapy to help recover the lost range
of motion.
Surgical –
In
cases where the frozen shoulder shows severe symptoms and causes disability due
to severe pain and stiffness resulting in very limited motion in the shoulder
the doctor will usually suggest a surgical treatment.
The
surgery aims to loosen the stiffened connective tissue in the affected
shoulder. These surgical treatments are usually of two types.
One
of the surgical treatments of a frozen shoulder is known as ‘manipulation under
anesthesia’ and requires administering general anesthesia. The doctor will then
move your arm into several positions that aim to stretch the tightened tissue.
The
other type of surgery for frozen shoulder is a minimally invasive surgery that
involves using an arthroscope to cut the stiffened tissue as well as the scar
tissue. Usually both these surgeries are combined together for maximum success.
