Frozen Shoulder – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Frozen Shoulder: A brief overview
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common condition afflicting many. It is a painful condition that affects the shoulder joint and restricts its movement. It typically develops gradually, worsens over time and then resolves slowly. Frozen shoulder is not life-threatening but can disrupt normal life as it can severely impact daily activities like dressing, reaching overhead or even sleeping comfortably.
What causes Frozen Shoulder?
Let’s take a look at what causes this disease. Unfortunately, the exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always clear. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. There are several factors that can increase the risk of frozen shoulder. These include:
- Immobilisation: After surgery, fracture or injury, keeping the shoulder immobile for a long time may trigger stiffness.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are more susceptible to frozen shoulder.
- Other Medical Conditions: Thyroid disorders, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s disease are associated with higher risk.
- Age and Gender: It most commonly affects individuals between 40 and 60 years, with women being slightly more affected.
The different stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder usually develops in three stages, each lasting several months. The three stages are:
- Freezing Stage: Pain gradually increases, and shoulder movement becomes difficult. This stage can last 6–9 months.
- Frozen Stage: Pain may lessen, but stiffness worsens, severely limiting motion. This phase can last 4–12 months.
- Thawing Stage: Shoulder movement slowly improves, and pain decreases. Recovery may take 6 months to 2 years.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
Common symptoms of Frozen Shoulder include:
- Persistent dull or aching pain, especially at night.
- Stiffness and difficulty in lifting the arm.
- Limited ability to perform daily activities.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Frozen shoulder is usually diagnosed by a doctor who relies on medical history, physical examination and symptoms. Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans are required to rule out arthritis, rotator cuff injuries or other conditions.
What are the different treatment options?
Treatments for frozen shoulder focus on reducing pain and improving mobility and can take time. Some of them include:
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can reduce discomfort. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may also be recommended to ease pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: Gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help restore shoulder mobility. A physiotherapist can guide safe and effective exercises.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying a warm compress before exercise can loosen the joint, while cold packs help reduce post-exercise soreness.
- Injections: Steroid injections or joint distension (injecting sterile water to stretch the capsule) can provide relief.
- Surgical Options: Surgery is the last resort and only recommended in severe cases unresponsive to conservative methods. These surgical procedures can include manipulation under anaesthesia or arthroscopic capsular release and are focused on restoring movement.
Patients need patience
Frozen shoulder requires a lot of patience from patients as it often resolves with time. But recovery can take months or even years. The key is early intervention, regular exercise and adherence to treatment plans. Most people regain near-normal function with proper care.
