Frozen shoulder – shoulder joint stiffness and discomfort are symptoms of adhesive capsulitis. Usually, symptoms and signs start slowly before getting worse. The symptoms improve with time, usually in a year or three.
Long-term shoulder immobilization raises the possibility of getting a frozen shoulder. This could occur following surgery or an arm break.
Dive into this article and discover the different stages of a frozen shoulder, its causes, and ways to manage a frozen shoulder and prevent it.
A frozen shoulder or Adhesive capsulitis is a disorder characterized by pain and loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder.
The cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood. The process involves thickening and contracture of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. A frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder is injured or immobilized for some time.
Frozen shoulder affects about two percent of the general population. It is most common in women between the ages of 40-70.
The exact cause of a frozen shoulder is not always clear, but several factors can contribute to its development, some of them are :
One of the most frequent reasons is the immobilization of the shoulder joint, among them medical treatment of trauma, injury, and long periods of doing nothing. The immobilization may be one of the main causes of adhesions or fibrous bands formation within the shoulder joint capsule and make it tight and stiff.
the trauma to the shoulder e.g. fall or injury during sports activities can lead to inflammation of the shoulder joint capsule, which in return, will give rise to the development of a ‘frozen shoulder’.
Patients with some medical diseases have a risk of being diagnosed with a case of frozen shoulder which can, among other things, mention diabetes, thyroid disorders, and heart disease. The microscopic changes occurring in the connective tissue and inflammation are still under investigation.
Frozen shoulder often manifests in people in the bracket between 40 and 60 years and the statistics show that women are at greater risk than men.
There are also some other factors, that may be linked with the risk of a frozen shoulder permanently and they are genetic notions, hormonal imbalances as well as certain shoulder conditions including rotator cuff injury and shoulder impingement syndrome.
Slight “stiffness” appears in terms of external rotation and abduction. There is no loss of energy and speed of motion. However, there can be discomfort in the case of shoulder movements. The limitation in daily function may be masked at first, but later, everyday tasks would require more energy to do.
These symptoms may not be realized as signs or symptoms of a frozen shoulder initially by the patient as they might attribute them as minor injuries or overuse. The irritation may be an issue sometimes but most of the time, other routine matters can go without too much pain.
If the disease remains untreated, the advancement could lead it to the staged stage, which is characterized by even worse symptoms than those earlier and more confined restrictions.
In this phase, the high point of the stiffness of the shoulder is the reduction of the range of movement. While the pain may spread and decrease, arthritis affects any physical activity, such as stiffness and limited mobility. Maximimeat movements become both impossible and dangerous.
At this stage, the treading time symbolizes the peak of a clenched shoulder joint. This means that it is practically frozen or stuck, a result of the severe limitation in movement.
In this phase, patients go through the gradual improvement of shoulder mobility as well as the decline of symptoms. Over time, the stiffness lessens and movements become more natural, even though the period of recovery may vary from a few months to a few years. Progress can be observed as the pain intensity declines coinciding with improved mobility. Physiotherapy and specific exercises designed for strengthening the shoulder muscles are vital in both restoring the function of the shoulder as well as preventing overuse. Though progress becomes slow during this stage, consistent work can have a huge impact on shoulder function and the quality of one’s life.
Make mobility and flexibility of shoulders a part of your ongoing exercise routine. Concentrate on stretches of a moderate nature that target all the areas of shoulder movement utilized such as abduction, external rotation, and flexion. Choose moves, such as shoulder rolls, pendulum exercises, and stretching, to be part of your daily exercise routine.
Make an effort to prevent the arm from being immobilized for a long period, e.g. keeping the injured arm in a sling or after the surgery for too many hours. Initially, with your healthcare professional, establish a gradual movement and activity program to take care of stiffness and adhesion.
Adopt proper posture to ensure that unnecessary strains are not put on the shoulder joint. Avoid excessive slouching or hunching forward, and make an effort to keep your shoulders straight during classes like sitting or lifting. The use of ergonomic supports or controls is advisable to retain proper alignment and relieve shoulder stress.
Implement the progressing strengthening exercises that concentrate on the deltoids (shoulder muscles) and other nearby stabilizers. Centering on building strength and stability is the goal through a range of exercises including rows, presses, and shoulder internal and external rotations. Start gradually and then slowly increase the intensity and resistance to strengthen the shoulder. The ability to resist will be promoted in the process.
If you have conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, or heart disease, have a closer cooperation with your doctor to ensure that they are well managed. These systemic conditions may put you at a higher risk of getting a frozen shoulder; therefore, if these conditions are well managed, the risk can be reduced or mitigated.
Prevention of a frozen shoulder requires one to practice shoulder mobility, avoid periods of immobilization, maintain good body posture, do progressive strength training, and take management of the underlying health conditions. Making these protective measures a part of your lifestyle can help reduce the risk of the occurrence of adhesive capsulitis and preserve normal shoulder health for you.
Frozen shoulder usually represents a slowly progressing condition that initially causes mild discomfort but this eventually worsens over weeks and months. But, in other situations symptoms can happen suddenly after a traumatic event or after the surgery which implies that the patients develop their symptoms rapidly.
A gentle workout that advances the mobility and flexibility of the shoulder is extremely useful in preventing a frozen shoulder. Besides, the program contains swing exercises, shoulder rolls, and stretching of all the directions of the shoulder movement.
Frozen shoulder is seen more often in individuals aged between 40 and 60, and it is also observed that the condition occurs more commonly in women than in men. But, it can sink in anyone of any age or gender.
