Frozen shoulder, symptoms, causes and treatment

What is frozen shoulder and its causes

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a medical problem which causes the shoulder to be severely restricted. It is sometimes caused by injury causing pain and lack of use, sometimes for no known reason, rheumatic disease progression or shoulder surgery. If you have diabetes, stroke, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease or got into an accident, the chances of you getting frozen shoulder is higher. Men and the elderly are more likely to get it. If you are diabetic and get frozen shoulder, the problem is worst and recovery will be slower.

Symptoms

Symptom of frozen shoulder are movement of the shoulder joint is tight and stiff and the victim may have problems with simple things like raising the arm, stiffness or pain which is worse at night and limited range of shoulder movements.

Frozen shoulder treatment

Treatment normally will trying to reduce the pain with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) helped by application of heat and attempts at restoring joint movement and pain with gentle stretching exercises. Sometimes battery operated devices may be used to provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to block nerve impulses. If these measures failed, using general anesthesia or even surgery may be recommended.

Some clinics specialises in treatments for frozen shoulder and have special frozen shoulder clinic. The above sites have an FAQ where you can get further information.

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