How Does Frozen Shoulder Happen?

Frozen shoulder is the result of an injury or inflammation. Properly known as adhesive capsulitis, the condition is characterized by a stiff joint with reduced mobility. Beyond discomfort, a frozen shoulder can significantly impact quality of life, including how you get dressed, perform your job and or reach for objects.

Physical therapy is often an initial strategy to improve motion in the joint before your doctor recommends surgery or another treatment.

What Is a Frozen Shoulder?

Due to pain and decreased range of motion, a frozen shoulder may initially be mistaken as arthritis. The two conditions share certain symptoms: Aside from pain, both involve a stiff sensation and reduced mobility.

While arthritis can affect joints anywhere in the body, frozen shoulder applies specifically to this part of the arm. The condition comes on suddenly or gradually and tends to occur together with:

• Recovery from a medical condition, such as a stroke or mastectomy.
• A recently broken or sprained arm.
• Joint inflammation, perhaps from a condition like tendonitis, bursitis or a rotator cuff injury.

Based on these factors, one or both shoulders may be affected. A frozen shoulder is formed in the connective tissue that surrounds your shoulder joint. When the tissue thickens, scars over and tightens in response to inflammation or reduced mobility during recovery, the joint can feel stiff. You may also notice pain as you attempt to move your arm.

Multiple factors can influence the development of a frozen shoulder:

• Age: Adults from 40 to 60 are more susceptible to this injury.
• Sex: More women tend to experience frozen shoulders.
• Lack of Mobility: Those who recently had their arm in a sling or experienced a condition that reduced mobility may find they can no longer move their shoulder joint.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, a thyroid issue, Parkinson’s disease or tuberculosis are at higher risk for developing a frozen shoulder.

To differentiate a frozen shoulder from arthritis, a doctor may assess your range of motion and request imaging of the joint.

Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder

Especially for people who develop this condition over time, symptoms include:

• Pain whenever you move or rotate your shoulder
• A stiff sensation that prevents you from physically moving your shoulder
• Increased pain at night
• Disrupted sleep due to the pain

Treating a Frozen Shoulder

Although you may receive injections or be prescribed an anti-inflammatory pain medication, physical therapy is almost always part of a patient’s treatment plan. Generally, you should expect:

• Stretching exercises to get the shoulder capsule moving, the band of tissue covering the shoulder joint.
• At-home routines that involve reaching and using objects like a pulley, cord, cane or wand.
• Using a combination of cold and heat therapy, as well as electrical stimulation.

Supervised physical therapy tends to last a few weeks to several months, combining in-office visits with daily at-home exercises. Performing your exercises each day can help resolve the issue within six to nine months, on average. In the process, you should regain various motions that were previously painful.
 
If your doctor has recommended physical therapy to address your frozen shoulder, work with the team at Integrated Rehab.

To learn more about our services, contact us today.