11/10/2015
FROZEN SHOULDER (a small glimpse to help you understand)
IT is characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint.
Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within one to three years.
Symptoms:
Pain from frozen shoulder is usually dull or aching.
It is typically worse early in the course of the disease and when you move your arm. With course of time there is loss of movement with no pain(if left untreated then normal range of movements cannot be restored)
The pain is usually located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm
Treatment:
The focus of treatment is to control pain and restore motion and strength through physical therapy.
Nonsurgical Treatment:
More than 90% of patients improve with relatively simple treatments to control pain and restore motion.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines:
reduce pain and swelling.
Physical therapy:
Specific exercises will help restore motion.
These may be under the supervision of a physical therapist and later via a home program.
Therapy includes stretching or range of motion exercises for the shoulder.
Sometimes heat is used to help loosen the shoulder up before the stretching exercises..
Surgical Treatment:
If your symptoms are not relieved by therapy and anti-inflammatory medicines, you and your doctor may discuss surgery.
It is important to talk with your doctor about your potential for recovery continuing with simple treatments, and the risks involved with surgery.
The goal of surgery for frozen shoulder is to stretch and release the stiffened joint capsule.
The most common methods include manipulation under anesthesia and shoulder arthroscopy.
Manipulation under anesthesia:
During this procedure, you are put to sleep. Your doctor will force your shoulder to move which causes the capsule and scar tissue to stretch or tear.
This releases the tightening and increases range of motion.
Shoulder arthroscopy:
In this procedure, your doctor will cut through tight portions of the joint capsule.
This is done using pencil-sized instruments inserted through small incisions around your shoulder .
In many cases, manipulation and arthroscopy are used in combination to obtain maximum results.