Frozen shoulder is scientifically known as adhesive capsulitis. This type of diagnosis limits a person’s range of motion. Inflammation and swelling of the joint happen when tissues become thick. When this happens there’s limited space so the shoulder cannot rotate the way it should. The condition is more abundant in people age 40 to 60. It is also found in women more than men. It is a condition that gradually continues to worsen over time and can sometimes resolve on its own. There are many reasons why frozen shoulder occurs. One reason is joint inflammation. Another is having a weak immune system. Other reasons include being diabetic or having an imbalanced hormonal system. Many times after surgery this will occur if the patient does not do much activity afterward as well.
There are many ways that frozen shoulder’s treated. If signs of this problem occur than an appointment with the doctor’s recommended. The first step is a full examination from the doctor. If needed then they may send the patient for more tests. Sometimes an MRI’s ordered and at other times they will want an x-ray. These are to rule out other problems such as rotator cuff tears or arthritis. After a person’s diagnosed with frozen shoulder then they will begin treatment. This can include physical therapy, medication and sometimes even surgery. The most common thing prescribed is physical therapy. There are also anti-inflammatory medications that can help. These will help with not only the pain but the swelling as well.
1. Ache
An ache is a painful feeling in a certain part of the body. In this instance, it would be in the shoulder area. When a frozen shoulder develops there are three stages that occur in the process. The first is where most people experience pain in the shoulder. This is the stage that’s called the freezing or painful stage. The ache becomes more and more consistent, getting worse over time. It can make moving the arm, shoulder or body more difficult and painful. This stage of frozen shoulder can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.
It is often considered the hardest stage to endure in the process. Many that have experienced frozen shoulder state that the pain improves with exercises. These exercises aim to stretch the muscle. The more the muscle’s used, the less likely to have frozen shoulder develop. During the second stage the feeling that occurs often diminishes. In the third stage which is often called thawing. During this stage, the ache may return. This is the longest stage of the diagnosis. All three stages can range from six months to three years total. The pain can become more intense over time as well.
2. Stiffness
This is one of the first signs of a frozen shoulder. It is when the shoulder or any other part of the body becomes rigid. It is stiff when it does not have any flexibility. Stiffness will make it hard to use the shoulder or move it in any way. The main thing that’s used in helping with stiffness is ice. Applying a cold compress or bag of ice to the shoulder can help with the stiffness. It can also help to bring back a little of the motion. This is because the cold helps to decrease the swelling. The cold also helps prevent any more inflammation.
3. Decreased range of movement
A decreased range of Movement’s defined as the complete movement of any joint in the body. This includes its complete flexion and extension. The decreased range of motion’s determined in degrees. Such as a doctor may say that a patient has only a 70-degree range of motion. This means that it is lacking in the ability it should have. When frozen shoulder occurs many people experience decreased range of motion. This is due to the stiffness and swelling that has occurred in the shoulder. The range of motion continues to diminish the worse the condition gets. The range of motion should increase with physical therapy.
4. Pain when moving
Like any injury, the first thing that people will notice is a pain when moving their arm. It can cause a shooting and sharp pain or a dull pain that begins slow and builds more and more. Sometimes the pain can be close to unbearable. Many people who experience it try to keep still because they do not want to feel the pain. Unfortunately, this will not help the situation. When a person stops moving it makes the shoulder stiff and decreases the range of motion. This could be more hazardous to the situation than good. This is where physical therapy comes into play. With the help of physical therapy, the shoulder’s used more. The pain felt when moving starts to decrease over time.
5. Pain at night
At the end of the day, the only thing most people want to do is lay down and rest. Unfortunately, that is not always an option. Frozen shoulder can cause unbearable pain at night. After using the shoulder all day even if not meaning to it starts to become inflamed at night. That’s where painkillers and over the counter inflammation medications help the most. They will help to ease the pain and give a patient a better nights rest. When sleeping patients should try to lay on the opposite side. Laying on the frozen shoulder will not only make it hurt but it could cause symptoms to increase the next day.
6. Soreness
Just as the pain that’s felt in the shoulder there are other signs as well. This can occur with frozen shoulder and is obvious in almost every case. It can be widespread and distributed to many other areas. Sometimes people may feel sensations around the shoulder. They can feel that but still feel no pain in the shoulder itself. The soreness radiates to other parts of the body. No matter where the soreness is, it is almost always there in almost every case. Medication can help with the soreness as well as ice packs. This is because pain and the uncomfortable feeling that frozen shoulder brings is normally from inflammation.
