Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

 

What are the symptoms?

 

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder becomes stiff and painful causing a loss of range of movement.

 

The shoulder joint bones are the scapula, humerus and clavicle. The joint is a ball and socket - the ball being the humeral head and the socket (glenoid) part of the scapula. Support of these bones is by four muscles. The tendons of these connect to the bones and help move the arm.

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a capsule made up of ligaments that form a watertight sack containing synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint. The sack has very loose tissue allowing for normal, unrestricted shoulder movement. With a frozen shoulder there can be scarring, thickening and shrinkage of the capsule that surrounds the joint.

There are usually three phases of frozen shoulder and each can last for months at a time:

 

The painful phase - Initially pain will occur when any movement of the shoulder is required.

The frozen phase - Pain lessens, the shoulder stiffens and range of movement is lost. Although pain can increase during movement, normal use of the shoulder should be encouraged.

The thawing phase - Pain is noticeably less, the condition improves but there can still be loss of range of movement.

 

Due to the level of pain, sufferers tend to hold their arms to their sides but this lack of use encourages adhesions to form and makes movement even more difficult. Frozen shoulder has an impact on everyday tasks such as dressing, driving, and sleeping.

 

What causes frozen shoulder?

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood but about three per cent of people are affected at any one time. It occasionally follows a shoulder injury and it is more common amongst people who have diabetes.

 

Treatments

 

There are several ways to treat a frozen shoulder:

 

Anti-inflammatory painkillers for example, ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. Commonly prescribed to ease pain. Seek advice before starting any painkillers.

Shoulder exercises are essential to prevent loss of movement and range when the injury has subsided. Strengthening exercises should follow when the pain is easing and improvement has been initiated.

Massage can improve circulation and aid lymphatic drainage.

Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation. It is not a ‘cure’ as symptoms tend to gradually return.

Surgery is sometimes considered if other treatments do not help.

 

Recovery can be slow and symptoms can last for several years, although most people do eventually regain full movement in their shoulder.

 

If you would like some advice or further information please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.