Frozen Shoulder: All about Frozen Shoulder-No, frozen shoulder is not a problem that you may end up with for
repeatedly watching that animated movie about a queen with the ability to
manipulate both ice and snow. Rather it is something that you may encounter if
you have a medical condition that is keeping you from moving your shoulder
joint on a regular basis.
If your
shoulder seems to be achy, stiff and swollen right now, then keep on reading
because what you are having may be the one discussed below. But of course none
of the things in this article should be mistaken for medical advice. The
problem you are facing should be seen by a doctor.
Signs and Symptoms
Just like
what the name says, frozen shoulder is something that can cause your shoulder
joint to become stiff. It’s not just the stiffness that can keep you from
moving it, but also pain.
According
to health authorities, frozen shoulder does not simply show up one day. So in
other words, it’s a joint issue that gradually develops. In fact, its
development is separated into three different stages: freezing stage, frozen
stage and thawing stage. Here are some of the most important details about each
stage:
Freezing stage
The range
of motion of your shoulder joint begins to become limited because of pain
present each time you move it.
Frozen stage
The
affected shoulder becomes a lot stiffer than before, and that is why it can be
difficult to move it. However, there is a marked decrease in pain.
Thawing stage
The normal
range of motion of your shoulder joint gradually improves, which means that the
normal functioning is slowly restored.
Just like
what’s mentioned earlier, the signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder shows up
gradually. The three different stages above usually take place in a span of one
to three years, experts say.
Causes
In your
shoulder joint there is a capsule that consists of connective tissue. It is
when the said capsule becomes thick and tight that frozen shoulder comes into
being. It’s for this reason exactly why in the medical community frozen
shoulder is oftentimes referred to as adhesive caspulitis.
Actually, health authorities are not really
sure why the said capsule becomes thick and tight, thus keeping the shoulder
joint from being moved properly. However, they are certain that it usually
strikes as a result of keeping the shoulder joint from being mobilized for a
long period of time.
Some people are considered as at high risk of
ending up with frozen shoulder. They include:
·
People
who are 40 years old or older, in particular women
·
Those
whose shoulder joints are immobile for a long time due to surgeries, rotator
cuff injuries and arm fractures
·
Individuals
who suffered from a stroke and are unable to move their arms due to paralysis
·
People
who are suffering from certain medical conditions such as diabetes,
tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
Treatment
Options
Most of the time, treating frozen shoulder is
geared towards keeping pain to a minimum most especially during the onset,
which is regarded as the freezing stage. OTC painkilling drugs may be taken in
order to keep pain to a minimum. In some instances wherein the pain experienced
is severe, a doctor may recommend the intake of prescription-strength
painkilling medication to minimize the symptom.
Also part of the treatment plan is keeping as
much of the normal range of motion of the affected shoulder joint intact. It’s
not unlikely for a doctor to refer the individual to a physical therapist.
More often than not, frozen shoulder improves
anywhere from a year to one and a half years. If such fails to happen, a doctor
may recommend steroid injections to reduce pain as well as stiffness. In rare
instances, surgery may be warranted especially if there are scar tissues and
adhesions present in the affected shoulder joint.
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