About Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) If you are having trouble lifting your arm above your head, reaching across your body, or reaching behind your back, you may have a problem with the range of motion in your shoulder called Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis. Limited motion is an early symptom of a frozen shoulder which is a general term denoting all causes of motion loss in the shoulder.

- Frozen shoulder affects more women than men.
- Usual onset begins between ages 40 and 65.
- It affects approximately 10 – 20% of diabetics.
- A period of enforced immobility results from trauma, overuse injuries, or surgery
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cardiovascular disease
- Clinical depression
- Parkinson's disease

 

Causes of Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
The cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but it probably involves an underlying inflammatory process. The capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and contracts. This leaves less space for the upper arm bone (humerus) to move around. Frozen shoulder can also develop after a prolonged immobilization because of trauma or surgery to the joint. Usually only one shoulder is affected, although in about one-third of cases, motion may be limited in both arms.

 

Frozen shoulder develops slowly. The stages of development are:
 

Pain increases with movement and is often worse at night. There is a progressive loss of motion with increasing pain. This stage lasts approximately 2 - 9 months.

 

Stage Two
Pain begins to diminish, and moving the arm is more comfortable. However, the range of motion is now much more limited, as much as 50% less than in the other arm. This stage may last 4 - 12 months.

 

Stage Three
The condition begins to resolve. Many patients experience a gradual restoration of motion over the next 12 - 42 months; surgery may be required to restore motion for some patients.

 

A physical exam is required to test the range of motion in your arm and an X-ray or MRI may be ordered to rule out any underlying condition. Treatment is geared to relieving the discomfort and restoring motion and function to the shoulder.

 

- Medications to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain
- Muscle relaxers
- A program of physical therapy to stretch and help restore motion and function
- Heat or ice therapies
- Corticosteroid injections
- Stretching exercises, done several times a day

 

Arthroscopic surgery can successfully release and repair the shoulder, but it must be followed by an exercise program to maintain motion and restore function. To learn more about the surgical treatment of a frozen shoulder, click here.



Arthroscopic frozen shoulder release rehabilitation protocol.