Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, causes stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Within one to three years, signs and symptoms usually appear gradually, worsen over time, and finally disappear. A stroke or a mastectomy can prevent you from moving your arm completely, increasing your chances of developing a frozen shoulder.
In addition to range-of-motion exercises, frozen shoulder treatment may include corticosteroids or numbing medications injected into the joint capsule. Sometimes, arthroscopic surgery can be necessary to loosen a joint capsule that prevents it from moving freely. Frozen shoulder usually doesn’t recur in the same shoulder, but some people can get it on the other side.
Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulders
It typically develops slowly, in three stages. These stages may take a few months to complete.
Freezing stage.
Your shoulder hurts when you move it, and the range of motion of your shoulder starts to be restricted.
Frozen stage.
There is a possibility that pain will decrease during this stage. You will gain stiffness in your shoulder, and its use will become more challenging during this time.
Thawing stage.
As your shoulder range of motion improves, you feel better. Pain can sometimes worsen at night, impairing sleep for some people.
Causes Of Frozen
A capsule of connective tissue surrounding the bones, ligaments, and tendons comprises your shoulder joint. The shoulder becomes frozen when the capsule around its joint becomes thick and tight, preventing the joint from moving. The exact reason this happens to some people is still unknown, although people who have diabetes or who were recently immobilized for a long period of time, such as after surgery or a broken arm, are more likely to experience it.
Treatment for frozen shoulder
The majority of frozen shoulder treatments aim to control shoulder pain and preserve as much shoulder mobility as possible. Here are the ways in which frozen shoulders can be avoided.
Medications
Frozen shoulder can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers, including aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.). Sometimes your doctor may prescribe pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs that are stronger.
Physiotherapy for frozen shoulder
With home physiotherapy in Dubai , you can restore movement to your shoulder. Each physiotherapist determines how many sessions should be conducted. Your physiotherapist will determine how many sessions should be conducted after your treatment. The first thing a physiotherapist will do is evaluate how much movement you have in your shoulders.
Treatments from a physiotherapist include:
- Stretching exercises
- Strength exercises
- Good posture advice
- Pain relief advice
After finishing your sessions, go back to your GP or physiotherapist if you still feel pain. Physiotherapy may be prescribed again, or a different treatment may be tried.
There are many physiotherapists working at GP surgeries. Depending on your area, you may be able to see a physiotherapist without first seeing your doctor. Physiotherapy can also be provided at your place.
Surgery – Severe cases
It usually takes 12 to 18 months for frozen shoulders to get better on their own. However, if the condition persists, your doctor may recommend:
Steroid injections.
Corticosteroids may reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility, especially in the early stages of shoulder arthritis.
Joint distension.
The injection of sterile water into the joint capsule can help to stretch the tissue and make movement easier.
Shoulder manipulation.
The procedure involves a general anesthetic, which means you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Your doctor will then move your shoulder joint in various directions to help loosen the tightened tissue.
Surgery.
Although surgery for a frozen shoulder is rare, if nothing else has helped, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions from the inside of your shoulder joint. These surgeries are typically performed via small incisions around your joint using lighted, tubular instruments.
