What is FROZEN SHOULDER?

A condition characterized by painful restriction of shoulder movements. Even though the shoulder joint is considered to be the most mobile joint, it is also greatly vulnerable to problems. Its mobility often when affected leads to the ‘freezing’ of the movements.

What causes FROZEN SHOULDER?

  1. Chronic pain/inflammation due to any injury (fracture, dislocation, tendinitis) around the shoulder joint.
  2. You are more likely to develop a Frozen shoulder if you are or have:
  • Diabetic
  • Hypertension
  • Any cardiovascular condition keeping your joint immobile
  • Women are more prone to it than men
  • Age- usually after the 5th or 6th decade of life; occurrence before 40 years of age is uncommon.

What are the SYMPTOMS?

  1. Severe pain around the shoulder joint.
  2. Pain persisting even during the night
  3. Difficulty is moving the joint (e.g. taking the hand behind the back, lifting the hand sideways).

Painful freezing phase

Pain and stiffness around the shoulder with no history of injury. A nagging constant pain is worse at night, with little response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Adhesive phase

The pain gradually subsides but the stiffness remains. Pain is apparent only at the extremes of movement. Reduced glenohumeral movements, with near-total obliteration of external rotation.

Resolution phase

Follows the adhesive phase with spontaneous improvement in the range of movement. The mean duration from onset of frozen shoulder to the greatest resolution is over 30 months

Radiological Investigations:

When plain radiographs of the frozen shoulder are taken they may well be reported as normal, although they may show periarticular osteopenia (reduced protein and mineral content of bone tissue) as a result of disuse.

Goals of Treatment:

  1. Reduce the pain
  2. Maintain the available range of motion
  3. Maintain the strength of contralateral joints

Long term goals:

  1. To improve the Range of motion of all shoulder movements
  2. To improve the strength of the muscles around the shoulder joint
  3. To improve the stability of the shoulder joint
  4. To develop neuromuscular control

Physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment approach

Thermotherapy-

Before resorting to any sort of treatment relaxation of the thick contracted joint and its capsule is done using the application of any deep heating modality (hot packs/ ultrasound).

Mobilization-

- Decrease the pain by mobilizing gently within the available range.

- To initiate the movements in the ‘frozen’ joints with extreme care passive mobilization is done by the Physiotherapist.

Exercise:

- Pendulum and isometric exercise are used to relieve pain

- Active assisted ROM exercises to maintain the range of motion

Stretching-

- Targeting the joint capsule which further facilitates the treatment process.

Chiropractic –

- The chiropractic shoulder adjustments work very well in the treatment of a frozen shoulder.

Strengthing-

- Once the pain has been reduced Physiotherapists at the Osteorehab works at improving the range as well as strength of the muscles.

- Various PNF techniques are further used in the Rehab phase. For further details book an appointment calling on 09871375767.