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Shoulder Pain & Frozen Shoulder

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Conditions

Frozen Shoulder

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which you experience pain and stiffness in your shoulder. The symptoms appear slowly, worsen gradually and usually between 12 – 24 months to resolve.

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Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments for Frozen Shoulder

Causes

The shoulder joint is comprised of bones, tendons, and ligaments that are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Gradual thickening and tightening of this capsule surrounding the shoulder joint restrict shoulder movement causing a frozen shoulder. It is unclear why this happens, but it is sometimes associated with diabetes or a long period of immobilisation following an arm fracture or shoulder surgery. Women and those over the age of 40 have a higher risk of developing a frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder is diagnosed following examination to look at your pattern of pain and the limited amount of movement in the shoulder. In a frozen shoulder, both the active and passive mobility are reduced, though strength may remain quite good. Sometimes a scan is recommended to look at the possible other diagnoses that can cause pain and limited movement in the shoulder.

The signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder develop gradually in three stages with each stage lasting for several months.

  • The first stage is the “freezing” stage during which pain occurs with any shoulder movement and the range of motion of the shoulder gradually becomes limited. Pain may worsen at night disrupting sleep.
  • Next is the “frozen” stage where the pain subsides but your shoulder stiffens up and cannot function properly.
  • The final stage is the “thawing” stage during which shoulder movement begins to gradually improve.
The various physiotherapy treatments used for frozen shoulder include:
  • Pain-relieving medications
  • Physiotherapy exercises for maintenance of mobility and strength, as well as to improve comfort
  • Acupuncture

When things are not improving appropriately, or when pain is significant, it is sometimes recommended that people might consider having an injection into the shoulder to help improve the movement and reduce the pain. Very occasionally, surgery may be recommended to remove any build up of scar tissue in the joint.

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

What is Shoulder Pain?

Pain in the shoulder may suggest an injury, which is more common in athletes participating in sports such as swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting. The injuries are caused due to the over usage or repetitive motion of the arms.

In addition to pain, shoulder injuries also cause stiffness, restricted movements, difficulty in performing routine activities and popping sensation.

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Shoulder

common causes & treatments for shoulder pain

What are the Most Common Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Some of the common shoulder injuries that cause pain and restrict the movement of the shoulders include:
Sprains and strains
A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments (tissues that connect adjacent bones in a joint). It is a common injury and usually occurs when you fall or suddenly twist your shoulder. A strain is the stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon (tissues that connect muscle to bone). It is common during sports. Strains are usually caused by twisting or pulling of the tendons.
Dislocations
A shoulder dislocation is an injury that occurs when the end of the bone is forced out of its position. It is often caused by a fall or direct blow to the joint while playing a contact sport. Tendinitis: It is an inflammation of a tendon, a tissue that connects muscles to bone. It occurs because of injury or overuse.
Bursitis
It is an inflammation of a fluid-filled sac called bursa that protects and cushions your joints. Bursitis can be caused by chronic overuse, injury, arthritis, gout or infection.
Rotator cuff injury
The rotator cuff consists of tendons and muscles that hold the bones of the shoulder joint together. Rotator cuff muscles allow you to move your arm up and down. Rotator cuff injuries often cause a decreased range of motion.
Fractures

A fracture is a break in the bone that commonly occurs because of injuries, such as a fall or a direct blow to the shoulder.

Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder arthritis, characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint.

Early treatment is necessary to prevent serious shoulder injuries. The immediate mode of treatment recommended for shoulder injuries is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce the swelling and pain.

Your doctor may recommend certain exercises to prevent stiffness and improve range of motion and strength. Passive manipulation and massage therapy to improve blood circulation and healing are also administered. Other techniques such as acupuncture, TENS, and ultrasound therapy may additionally be recommended.

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