Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes limited movement and pain in the shoulder joint. Remember that there are three stages of the condition that the individual passes through.
- Freezing stage in which the joints tighten up
- Stiff stage in which movement in the shoulder is drastically reduced
- Thawing stage in which pain steadily reduces and mobility increases
What are the symptoms?
Freezing stage
The symptoms of frozen shoulder typically start with a gradual onset of aching in the shoulder. The pain often becomes widespread and worsens at night, thus lying on the affected side is difficult. This stage can last between 2-9 months.
Frozen or stiffening stage
During the second stage, the shoulder joint will start to stiffen up. In most cases, the shoulder is likely to be sore and normal activities become more difficult. The muscles in the shoulder will start to waste away due to lack of use and this can be apparent. The symptoms during this stage can last between 4-12 months.
Thawing stage
During the thawing stage, the symptoms start to improve. The range of movement will increase and there is gradual reduction in the pain but can reappear as stiffness reduces for some time. This stage can last for 5-12 months.
If the symptoms of this condition are present, it is recommended to consult a doctor for proper assessment of the condition. In doing so, early treatment can be started as well as start a suitable rehabilitation program.
Treatment
The individual should seek medical care if he/she suspects this condition. Remember that early treatment can help prevent severe stiffness from developing. A rehabilitation program is usually started.
The shoulder must stay mobile even with small pendular motions. In case movement causes pain, the movement must be done under the guidance of a therapist. With the help of mobility exercises, the shoulder is kept mobile and must be done regularly as long as pain allows.
When to consult a doctor
Frozen shoulder is managed with conservative measures with surgery as the last option if other treatment options fail. It is recommended to schedule a course of exercises and physiotherapy to help maintain flexibility and mobility in the shoulder as best as possible.
The doctor will prescribe oral steroids or anti-inflammatory medications to minimize the inflammation in the shoulder joint. In some cases, direct injection of steroid medication into the joint can also reduce the inflammation in the shoulder joint. In case conservative measures fail, surgery is recommended.
Surgery
The last resort is surgery if conservative treatments failed. The commonly used technique is arthroscopic capsular release which is done via keyhole surgery. The technique involves division of the thickened shoulder capsule to release it. The surgery is followed by a rehabilitation program that the individual should stick with.
Recovery period
Most cases can resolve after some time or with the help of physiotherapy over a 1-3 year period, but it is a slow process. In studies conducted, there is a positive result after arthroscopic surgery to release the tight capsule but this is only performed on those whose condition did not improve with conservative treatment.