Frozen Shoulder/ Adhesive Capsulitis

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

A Frozen Shoulder is medically known as Adhesive Capsulitis. This is a condition where the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed and stiff. Due to this stiffness it will restrict the range of movement we have at our shoulder joint.

What are the symptoms of Frozen shoulder?

A person suffering from a frozen shoulder will have restrictions in both their ‘active’ and ‘passive’ range of movement.

This means that the the movement the patient can ‘actively’ do on their own will be the same as that as the therapist, who is ‘passively’ carrying out the assessment.

Common complaints that patients have in their daily routine include:

  • Difficulty reaching behind their back
  • Putting on a seat belt
  • Reaching forward
  • Washing hair

The cause is unknown but is more commonly seen in older people:

  • Post traumatic incidents to the upper limb

  • Diabetics

  • Post operative surgery to the upper limb or breast

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Thyroid related problems

  • Stroke patients

Freezing Stage – Any movement of the shoulder causes pain and your range starts to become limited Can last from 2-9months.

Frozen Stage – Pain begins to diminish. Shoulder will become stiffer and more difficult to use. Lasting around 4-12 months.

Thawing Stage – Range of movement begins to improve. Lasting from 5-24months.

A frozen shoulder may take between 1-2 years to resolve as it will go through the stages as mentioned above. The objective in treating this injury involves controlling the pain and preserving as much range of movement as possible.

Treating a Frozen Shoulder/ Adhesive Capsulitis:

Some pain medications that can be purchased over the counter can help with the pain and inflammation. If these are not helping in the reducing your pain you may need to visit your local GP.

By receiving effective treatment it will help shorten the disability that is associated with frozen shoulder. People suffering from this injury need to know that it is a self-limiting condition, meaning it will take its course(as mentioned above), most patients will eventually make a full recovery.

  • Physiotherapy – Aims to stretch the shoulder capsule and maintain Range of movement of the joint. Home exercises focusing on shoulder blade control and strength.

  • Anti-inflammatories

  • Cortisone Injection – Reduce inflammation associated within the joint

  • Hydrodiliation – An injection of sterile water to help stretch the joint from the inside. This is generally coupled with cortisone injection for maximum benefits.

  • Shoulder Manipulation – This is done under general anesthetic.

  • Surgery – Arthroscopy aimed to remove any scar tissue and adhesion.

For more information or to book your appointment please call us on 091 456 086 or  ‘BOOK NOW’