Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), occurs when the capsule of the shoulder joint becomes inflammed. It is thought to have an autoimmune connection in which the body overreacts to a minimal injury and then cells in the joint release inflammatory chemicals that cause pain. Following a period of inflammation, scar tissue develops which produces a very stiff and painful shoulder.
Symptoms of a frozen shoulder include
stiffness that worsens at first, but gradually begins to improve over time. Shoulder aching is common that increases as the condition progresses, and may worsen with a sharp pain when you move your arm. Sleeping can also be a problem.
Frozen shoulder affects between approximately 5% of people overall and is more common in middle aged women. Although the exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood it is more common in people with conditions like diabetes or thyroid dysfunction. Frozen shoulder can also develop after long periods immobility, for example, following an injury.
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages, although the duration of each stage varies from person to person.
1: Freezing phase
The shoulder becomes inflamed and the shoulder capsule progressively develops adhesions, leading to increasing pain and stiffness. This stage can last from two to nine months.
2: Frozen phase
Progressive stiffness, reduced mobility. Inflammation reduces, however, sharp pain remains with stretch movements. This stage lasts from four to six months.
3: Thawing phase
The stiffness reduces and mobility slowly recovers.
Frozen shoulder can be very difficult to treat and needs a great deal of perseverance. Most of the time the condition gets better slowly by itself. However, certain treatments like manual therapy (osteopathy) and physical therapy (exercises) along with medication to manage pain and inflammation can aid recover and make like more comfortable. This being said, great care needs to be taken; too much stretching can worsen the condition, while too little will allow it to continue. This makes it crucial to find the right balance. Stretches should start very gentle and brief, and then slowly progress to muscle strengthening and mobility exercises as the shoulder condition improves.
70% of people may find benefit of having a cortisone anti-inflammatory injection into the shoulder joint to reduce pain and speed up condition. Furthermore, some evidence had shown platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment to be effective in frozen shoulder https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29932415/
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Don’t let shoulder pain, joint damage, sports injuries or arthritis get in the way of allowing you to do what you want. Schedule a consultation at Dynamic Osteopaths today, and let us treat your injury, provide pain relief and get you back to your full and active lifestyle. We have clinics operating out of Solihull (Henley-In-Arden), Birmingham (Harborne/edgbaston) & Bromsgrove (Barnt Green).
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