Do you almost find it impossible to move your shoulder without pain? Maybe you suffer from a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. This can cause your arm to stiffen and become difficult to move. This might be considered a hindrance that interferes with your daily activities, from lifting something to even brushing your hair. This condition occurs in 5% of the population, with women four times more at risk than men, and most often, the non-dominant shoulder is affected. Let’s discuss this condition in-depth, its stages, and the best treatment methods.
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is an inflammatory condition of the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint by forming scar tissues (scar-like adhesions). This causes the shoulder joint to be stiff, thus restricting the range of motion.
Frozen Shoulder Symptoms
The pain and stiffness may begin slowly but worsen if left untreated. You will have trouble sleeping on the side where you have adhesive capsulitis, and things like reaching for something on a high shelf or putting on a jacket become almost impossible. The primary frozen shoulder symptoms include:
- Tenderness that worsens at night or by movement
- Stiffness in the shoulder joint
- Tendency to have a problem lifting the arm over the head or reaching behind the back
- Characterised by a reduced range of motion
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
Usually it has no cause; however, several factors predispose individuals to such a condition. The most common frozen shoulder causes include the following:
- Injury or surgery: When an individual injures his shoulder or undergoes surgery, he may experience a frozen shoulder since he cannot use the affected part while recovering.
- Age: This condition often results in people aged 40 to 60.
- Medical conditions: People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or thyroid disorders are often at high risk of being affected by this disease.
- Immobility: You’re likely to be affected if you stay immobile for a long time, such as after a fracture.
Frozen Shoulder Stages
Frozen shoulder progresses through three major stages. The stages can run for some months; without the proper care, the condition may take over a year to heal. Here are the frozen shoulder stages:
Freezing Stage:
This is the starting point of pain. In this stage, your shoulder gets stiff, making moving difficult. You might feel a sharp sensation that cuts through at night. It usually lasts around 6 to 9 months.
Frozen Stage:
The pain may have decreased, but you feel stiff. In some cases, you may not be able to move your shoulder. The usual habitual activities, such as dressing or driving, become difficult. This stage can last from 4 to 12 months.
Thawing Stage:
In this last stage, the stiffness slowly starts to disappear, and one can see the movement of the shoulder again. It can take as long as 6 months to 2 years for full recovery.
Treatment of Frozen Shoulder
While adhesive capsulitis could be very painful and limiting in several ways, some treatments are available to recover a little sooner. Its treatments usually involve a combination of exercises, medications, and medical procedures. Among the standard frozen shoulder treatments are the following:
Physiotherapy:
A physical therapist will increase your shoulder range of motion through frozen shoulder exercises performed with you. These exercises will gradually help stretch your joint and strengthen muscles around the joint.
Pain relief medications:
Medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, or in severe cases, stronger prescription medicines, can provide the patient with specific relief from the pain and inflammation caused by a frozen shoulder.
Corticosteroid injection:
Your doctor might sometimes recommend injecting corticosteroids into your shoulder joint to control inflammation. It can help reduce inflammation thereby lowering the pain and stiffness.
Shoulder Surgery:
If therapy or medication does not help your frozen shoulder, the surgeon might decide to operate your shoulder surgically. The surgeon removes the scar tissue that is causing the stiffness. This is usually done as a last resort.
Frozen Shoulder Exercises
Basic stretching and strength training are necessary to cure this condition. The following exercises can reduce stiffness and improve shoulder flexibility:
Pendulum swings:
You should stand and lean forward a little bit, allowing your affected arm to hang. Afterwards, gently swing it around in small circles.
Towel stretch:
Hold the towel behind you with both arms. Then, pull the towel upwards with your unaffected arm to stretch the shoulder.
Cross-arm stretch:
Reach your unaffected arm across your body and pull your affected arm toward it, feeling the stretch in the shoulder. Do these exercises each day; always consult with your doctor or therapist first to ensure that these exercises are suitable for you and you are okay to continue with them.
How to Cure Frozen Shoulder Quickly
If you want to know how to cure a frozen shoulder quickly, the truth is that adhesive capsulitis takes time to heal. However, early treatment can prevent it from getting worse.
These are some actions that will help accelerate your recovery:
- Early physical therapy: Do not delay your exercises. In other words, do not delay until you regain your range of motion.
- Heat therapy: Applying heat to the shoulder joint before stretching loosens the area and makes movements easier.
- Continuity with exercise: Healing and recovery do require continuity. Even if it hurts, continue your exercises since they will pay off in the long run.
When to See a Doctor?
You should see your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you suspect a frozen shoulder. Your doctor will examine you through a physical exam and probably order some image tests, including an X-ray or MRI, only to rule out other conditions. Sometimes, your doctor might refer you to a specialist if your condition is severe and standard treatments are ineffective; The specialist could be an orthopaedic surgeon or a rheumatologist.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis can be frustrating because it takes time to recover. However, the right combination of frozen shoulder treatment, exercises, and medical care can bring you back to mobility and make the pain manageable. In any case, early intervention is critical. If symptoms of this condition start appearing, do not wait too long to seek help. Early treatment shortens the healing time and allows you to return to your normal activities and routine. While there’s no instant cure, being patient and consistent with your treatment plan will bring you closer to a full recovery.
