Do I Have a Frozen Shoulder?
Do I have a frozen shoulder? Let’s just say it is one of the few medical conditions that is self-explanatory. No, your shoulder is not cold, however it acts like it is frozen and unmovable. Let’s take a deep look at frozen shoulder, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
Anyone can be susceptible to getting frozen shoulder. It can happen to anyone who doesn’t move their shoulder for a period of time. Expect to have pain and stiffness with a frozen shoulder. It occurs when the shoulder capsule holding the ball and socket joint becomes thick and tight making it hard to move. Scar tissue forms making it less lubricated, limiting your shoulder movement even more.
The more your shoulder hurts, you will inevitably use it less. The result is a frozen shoulder with less mobility.
You can develop frozen shoulder the following ways:
- Restricted movement like from a broken arm or a rotator cuff injury
- After a stroke
- If you have certain diseases like diabetes or thyroid issues
- Cardiovascular diseases and Parkinson’s also increase the risk
Someone 40 years old and older is more susceptible to frozen shoulder along with women.
What Are Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness reducing your ability to move your shoulder or maintain any flexibility. It causes an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the joint. The capsule becomes inflamed and scarring develops. These formations are called adhesions, and the condition is clinically called adhesive (scarring) capsulitis (inflammation of the capsule).
If you begin to have problems moving your shoulder, it is best to seek out a shoulder specialist like Dr. Samuel Koo for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder in Seattle
There are two main goals of treatment for frozen shoulders:
- Reduce pain
- Increase mobility
Physical therapy is usually recommended for increasing mobility. The therapist will stretch the capsule and the patient learns home exercises. Heat, ice, ultrasound or electrical stimulation may also be used. This can last up to six weeks.
To decrease pain, anti-inflammatory meds, plus pain meds like tylenol or narcotics may be prescribed to decrease pain after PT, or to help with sleep at night. Steroid injections of the joint or bursa or prednisone may be used to decrease the inflammation.
Should these non-surgical treatments be unsuccessful, surgery may be discussed.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain and stiffness, contact shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH for an evaluation, testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Give us a call at (425) 823-4000 or request an appointment through our secure online form.
Sources: Frozen Shoulder: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment (webmd.com)