Frozen Shoulder : Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention



Definition:

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. It affects about two percent of the general population.

What causes a frozen shoulder?

There are two major causes of most shoulder injuries. The first being degeneration, or general wear and tear. The second cause of most shoulder injuries is due to excessive force, or simply putting too much strain on the tendons of the shoulder muscles.

What are the symptoms?

-Pain and stiffness are the two hallmark symptoms of this disease.
-Limited range of motion

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis is usually made on the history and physical examination. One key finding that can help differentiate adhesive capsulitis from a rotator cuff tear is how the shoulder moves. In adhesive capsulitis the shoulder motion is the same, whether the patient or the doctor tries to move the arm. In a rotator cuff tear, the patient cannot move the arm, but when someone else lifts the arm it can be moved in a nearly normal range of motion. X-rays are usually not helpful. An arthrogram may show that the shoulder capsule is scarred and contracted. This test is done by injecting dye into the shoulder joint and taking several X-rays. When this is done in the shoulder with adhesive capsulitis the first thing the radiologist will notice is that not much dye can be injected into the shoulder joint - the capsule of the joint is contracted and, thus, smaller than normal. The X-rays taken after injecting the dye will show very little dye in the joint.

As the motion increases in the shoulder, your doctor may suggest tests that look for an underlying condition, such as impingement, or a rotator cuff tear, that may have initiated the condition. Probably the most common test used is the MRI scan. An MRI scan is a special radiological test where magnetic waves are used to create pictures that look like slices of the shoulder. The MRI scan shows more than the bones of the shoulder. It can show the tendons as well, and whether there has been a tear in those tendons.

Treatment

The treatment of a frozen shoulder usually requires an aggressive combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), cortisone injection into the shoulder, and physical therapy.

Prevention

The best way to prevent frozen shoulder is to contact your health care. Early treatment of frozen shoulder can help to prevent long-term stiffness in the joint.