norman
country-financial
March 28, 2024 5:13 pm
Your hometown Newspaper since 1987.
Search
Close this search box.

M.V. FIT TIPS: Frozen Shoulder

By DOUG GILES

Doug Giles, DPT
Doug Giles, DPT

A Frozen shoulder may sound like something you would pull out of the deep freeze and thaw for dinner. But believe me, if you’ve ever had the medical condition of frozen shoulder; or in doctor speak, Adhesive Capsulitis; you know it is no picnic.

A frozen shoulder is the stiffening of the shoulder due to scar tissue, which results in painful movement and loss of motion. The hallmark sign of this condition is being unable to move your shoulder—either on your own or with the help of someone else. It occurs in about 3% of the general population. It most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and occurs in women more often than men.

The actual cause of Frozen Shoulder is not fully understood. Sometimes it just happens for no apparent reason, other times it comes on after surgery or injury to your arm. There are a few factors which increase your risk for developing it. These include: diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease and cardiac disease.

Also, frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder has been immobilized for a period of time due to surgery, a fracture or other injury. To prevent this problem, doctors often prescribe movement exercises and physical therapy right after surgery.

The progression of frozen shoulder usually follows a predictable pattern of three stages: freezing, frozen and thawing.
In the “freezing” stage you slowly have more and more pain. As the pain worsens, your shoulder loses its motion. Your shoulder may ache all the time but is worse with movement and at night. Freezing typically lasts from 6 weeks to 9 months.

In the “frozen” stage your pain slowly improves but your shoulder remains stiff. Activities such as reaching overhead, putting on your seat belt and reaching into your back pocket are difficult if not impossible to perform. This stage generally lasts 4 to 6 months.

During the “thawing” stage shoulder motion slowly improves with less pain. Complete return to normal or close to normal strength and motion typically takes from 6 months to 2 years.

Although frozen shoulder usually has to run it’s course, there is help available. A visit to your primary care provider or orthopedic surgeon is often a good place to start. Treatment options for pain include anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy. In therapy we use ice and heat packs, manual therapy, massage techniques, and gentle but progressive stretching exercises to help improve motion, strength and function in your arm. We also instruct you in a home exercise program to keep your shoulder moving.

Print This Article:

Share This Article:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Screen Shot 2023-02-05 at 10.55.46 PM
2-21-2024-fullpagefair
4 Youth Service WEB
2-28-2024 WEB Hole Foods St Patricks
No data was found
2023 WEB BANNER 2 DEFAULT AD whitneyswater
Mesquite Works Web Ad 10-2020
Scroll to Top
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new articles