Consider the situation when reaching for a cup placed at shoulder level or even attempting to clip the seatbelt in, only to be interrupted by a sharp and nagging pain in the shoulder region. With time, the pain gets worse, turning even straightforward concepts into impossible tasks. Such individuals can be best described using the phenomenon of frozen shoulder, or in medical terminology, adhesive capsulitis.
Introduction
Frozen shoulder is a condition with restricted stiffness, range of motion and discomfort as the underlying issue. The range of motion is considerably lower, leading to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It is exceptionally common among women rather than men in the 40 to 60 age group. Even though the causative agent is of lesser importance, prolonged immobility, diabetes, and other thyroid disorders can lead to the worsening of the condition.
This article will walk you through the various stages of frozen shoulder, effective treatment methods, and how physiotherapy at Phoenix Physio can make the recovery process more effortless and streamlined.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder develops when the connective tissue enveloping the shoulder joint, referred to as the shoulder capsule, becomes thickened and constrained, resulting in restricted movement and discomfort. Usually, this condition evolves slowly over time and can take years to completely resolve without any treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
There is still much to learn about the specific causes of frozen shoulder.
However, there are numerous factors that could increase the risk:
- Age and Gender: Women in particular, those between the ages of 40 and 60, are typically the most affected.
- Extended Immobilisation: Shoulder immobility brought on by specific surgeries, illnesses, or injuries can result in frozen shoulder.
- Medical conditions: Individuals who have thyroid issues, diabetes, or certain cardiovascular diseases are more likely to be at risk.
Symptoms
Frozen shoulder progresses slowly over time:
- Freezing Stage: Shoulder mobility is decreased as pain gradually worsens.
- Frozen Stage: Shoulder stiffness may not go away, but pain may.
- Shoulder range of motion has improved during the thawing stage.
Effective Frozen Shoulder Treatments
A combination of pain management and shoulder mobility rehabilitation therapies is the key to curing frozen shoulder. What should be selected for the treatment varies on the stages of disease as well as the seriousness of the symptoms .
- Medications
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are two over-the-counter drugs that can help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with frozen shoulder. These drugs, which fall under the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), relieve pain.
- Doctors may prescribe powerful painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat particular symptoms.
2. Physical therapy
In order to treat frozen shoulder syndrome, therapy exercises are essential. For patients who want to improve their shoulder range of motion, a licenced physical therapist can teach them rehabilitation exercises. To attain the best mobility, these exercises must be done on a regular basis.
3. Corticosteroid Injections
The relief of pain, along with the improvement of shoulder movements attributed to corticosteroid injections in the shoulder region, is particularly noticeable when administered early in the condition of frozen shoulder.
4. Hydrodilatation
The goal of this procedure is to facilitate joint mobilisation and tissue distension by injecting sterile water into the joint capsule. Sometimes systemic steroid therapy is used in conjunction with hydrodilatation to achieve better outcomes.
5. Shoulder Manipulation
A healthcare provider manually exercises the shoulder joint in various planes of movement during the general anaesthesia phase to help facilitate the movement of the constrained structure. This step may increase the capacity for movement; however, it is usually performed only when other methods have failed.
6. Surgery
Surgical options for frozen shoulder are infrequently utilised and only performed if other treatments have not been effective. The operation is performed through small cuts (scopes) in the shoulder joint which is viewed through a tiny camera (arthroscope). The procedure involves cutting and debridement of the scar tissues which are within the shoulder joint.
How Physiotherapy Helps with Frozen Shoulder
1. Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment Plans
The first step for a physiotherapist is to determine your shoulder’s range of motion, strength, and any functional limitations. This assessment helps create a treatment plan for your frozen shoulder that takes into consideration your current condition and specific needs.
2. Techniques for Pain Management
During the first “freezing” phase, pain is typically at its worst. A variety of techniques are employed by physiotherapists to treat pain, such as:
- Thermal therapy is the application of hot or cold packs to ease tense muscles and pain.
- Manual Therapy: Gentle soft tissue or joint mobilisations which are aimed at reducing discomfort.
- Electrotherapy is the use of electrical current to alter the signals that modulate pain.
Restoring Range of Motion
As the pain subsides, attention gradually turns to shoulder mobility. In order to stretch the joint capsule and the surrounding muscles, physiotherapists assist patients with specific exercises such as:
- Pendulum Exercises: Active gentle motions used to start the movement process.
- Passive Stretching: Movements aided to increase range of movement slowly.
- Active Range of Motion Exercises: Movements performed by the patient to increase joint movement.
Strengthening Surrounding Musculature
The “thawing” phase of recovery involves restoring shoulder function through a variety of active exercise increases, including mobility, to enhance range of motion and functionality while avoiding additional injuries. Patients are first given muscle-strengthening exercises by physiotherapists, including:
- Rotator cuff muscles: enhancing range of motion control and stability in the shoulder.
- Scapular Stabilisers: Enabling enhancement of posture as well as mechanical functions of the shoulder blades.
Education and Home Exercise Programs
Educating patients about their condition is one of the pillars of physiotherapy.
- Posture and Ergonomics Education: Shoulder-stressing techniques to reduce strain on the shoulder during day-to-day activities.
- Home exercise programmes: individualised exercises designed to complement clinic-based care and to be performed independently.
Conclusion
Frozen shoulder is a disabling condition that can significantly impact daily functioning. Cure is, however, possible with the help of timely and effective physiotherapy measures. Physiotherapy is crucial for the management of frozen shoulder, as it decreases pain, enhances range of motion, and prevents permanent stiffness.
Tailored treatment plans for each phase of frozen shoulder are the expertise of our experienced physiotherapists at Phoenix Physio. Through the incorporation of manual therapy, targeted exercises, and education, we aim to enhance overall health and accelerate
