What is Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become inflamed and tight. This causes pain and restriction in movements of the shoulder.
Frozen Shoulder happens in 3 stages, namely the Freezing, Frozen and Thawing stage. Each stage is characterised by unique signs and symptoms.
- Freezing: Pain is worst at this stage. The shoulder does not feel very stiff but it is painful to move the shoulder. This stage usually lasts between 6 to 12 weeks.
- Frozen: At this stage, pain reduces but the shoulder still feels stiff and tight. Daily activities such as hair combing or back scratching may be difficult. This stage usually lasts between 4 to 6 months.
- Thawing: The shoulder starts to feel less stiff and gradual return of shoulder motion is expected. This stage can usually take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
The primary cause is still unknown. However, previous shoulder injury or surgery makes one at risk of developing frozen shoulder. The condition usually affects those between 40 – 60 years old . Women have an increased risk compared to men. Diabetics also have an increased risk of developing frozen shoulder. Other medical problems such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease and obesity have also been associated with frozen shoulder.
How Do I Know If I Have Frozen Shoulder?
Common symptoms include dull or achy pain and stiffness around the shoulder joint. Those with frozen shoulder usually find difficulty in carrying out daily activities such as reaching overhead, combing hair, reaching for the back pocket or hooking a bra. Most often, sleeping on the affected shoulder also brings discomfort.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With Frozen Shoulder?
The most important step to treating a Frozen Shoulder is to identify the stage of the condition. This is because different stages require different approaches to manage the symptoms. While an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound scan can help with the diagnosis, good history taking and detailed physical examination is able to accurately identify the signs and symptoms. A visit to the Physiotherapist for consultation can identify the stage of the frozen shoulder. If pain medications, injections or anti-inflammatory drugs or further investigations are needed to help manage the pain, especially in the Freezing stage, we can refer you to a doctor for the necessary treatment and investigations. Depending on the severity of your condition, physiotherapists will be able to customise and guide you in the management of your shoulder pain. Physiotherapy sessions usually comprise of manual therapy and stretching exercises. Manual therapy is clinically proven to improve the shoulder range of motion especially during the Frozen and Thawing stages. Additionally, the Physiotherapist will be able to advise you on exercises to achieve good posture and activity modification to better manage your frozen shoulder.
Think you may have a frozen shoulder? Drop us a line to find out how we can assist you.
