Frozen shoulder is a very common and
often debilitating condition in which the shoulder joint becomes
extremely painful and there is a loss of movement. There is no known cause for
frozen shoulder; however, certain factors increase the risk of developing a
frozen shoulder. According to PubMed Health, these risk factors include:
·
Diabetes
·
Shoulder injury
·
Shoulder surgery
·
Cervical disc disease (neck)
·
Open heart surgery
·
Overactive thyroid
The most common symptoms are pain, loss of motion in the
joint and stiffness.
Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation of the joint
capsule, resulting in limited movement and pain. Generally, one gets pain in
the shoulder without any known cause. This results in a person using the affected
arm less because it is sore. Reduced movement results in increased stiffness.
Depending on how long one waits to be treated, this cycle will continue until a
person has next to no movement in that shoulder.
Frozen shoulder is usually diagnosed by means of an examination
of the shoulder and according to the symptoms a patient is experiencing. An
x-ray may be done to rule out any other injuries in the joint and an MRI may be
done to confirm inflammation; however, most of the time a medical practitioner
will diagnose a frozen shoulder by examining the shoulder using various tests.
Common movements that people suffering with frozen shoulders battle to perform
include:
·
Reaching up to the front
·
Reaching up to the side
·
Bending one’s arm behind their back
·
Putting on a coat
·
Brushing one’s hair
If untreated, a frozen shoulder may take up to two years to
recover, and one may never regain complete range of motion. Pain killers and
anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. It is
then vital that intense physical therapy with a Biokineticist is started early
in order to speed up the recovery process. Because movement is often restricted
by pain, which then results in stiffness, it is important that the arm is used
and moved throughout its range of motion. Passive and active range of motion
exercises must be performed on a regular basis. Depending on how severe the
frozen shoulder is, recovery may take anywhere from a few weeks up to nine
months. Surgical intervention may be necessary in severe cases. Here, the arm
is moved through its full range under anaesthetic in order to release scar
tissue in the joint.
Therefore, if you have any pain in the shoulder that is
restricting movement in your normal daily activities, consult a medical
practitioner as soon as possible so that you can start your exercise therapy with
a Biokineticist early, thereby speeding up your recovery.
