What exactly is frozen shoulder? And what causes it?
Frozen shoulder is a common disorder that causes pain, stiffness, and loss of normal range of motion in the shoulder. The resulting disability can be serious, and the condition tends to get worse with time if it’s not treated. It affects mainly people ages 40 to 60 with women affected more often than men. Diabetics and hypothyroid patients are at a higher risk of frozen shoulder.
Each joint has a covering called a capsule. If this capsule hardens or adheres to the bone, then frozen shoulder begins. It is also scientifically known as adhesive capsulitis or periarthritis.
Its symptoms can be divided into 3 stages.
1) Freezing stage (0-6 months): All shoulder movements may feel severely painful; you can also get pain while sleeping
2) Frozen stage (6 months- 12 months): your pain will reduce but you will feel the shoulder getting stiff. Activities like combing hair, washing hair & back, lifting something & putting it on a shelf above will feel really difficult
3) Thawing Stage (12 months – 18 months): This often shows improvement in movement. Things start coming back to normal. Now you should focus on regaining shoulder strength.
What is the treatment?
Treatment: Different physiotherapy options available for management – A physical therapist will work at restoring your movement and decreasing pain to help you perform daily tasks.
- Pain relief with various machines and joint mobilizations
- Shoulder mobility exercises and capsular stretches to get back full movement
- Regaining shoulder strength
Not all shoulder pain is frozen shoulder!!
Many people with desk jobs complain of shoulder pain which is most often a “Mouse hand syndrome”. It is an overuse injury due to prolonged sitting, typing or writing.
Its treatment is-
- Proper posture
- Stretches of the shoulder, elbow & wrist