Frozen shoulder, which is also known as adhesive capsulitis, is inflammation of the tissues surrounding your shoulder joint. This tissue shrinks and becomes tight, causing pain and stiffness. It is seen more commonly in women between the ages of 40 and 60, and people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing a frozen shoulder. It can also occur due to an upper-body injury such as a broken arm or a stroke.
If left untreated, frozen shoulder can cause neck pain and restrict your range of movement.
How do I know if I have Frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is often more painful at night. Other symptoms include –
- Increased pain and stiffness around the shoulder joint
- Difficulty raising your arm
- Shoulder blade rises unnaturally when trying to raise your arm.
You may also find a persistent dull pain is still present even when resting.
How do I treat Frozen shoulder?
Although pain and stiffness can come and go, the frozen shoulder can continue to recur over many years if left untreated. Treatment of frozen shoulder includes physiotherapy to gain back movement and help you correct your posture to prevent frozen shoulder recurring.
First steps to recovery –
- Avoid movement which can cause further pain.
- Take over the counter meds such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to help ease the pain.
- Seek out treatment from a physiotherapist.
- Avoid heavy lifting, twisting actions or strong gripping.
Other treatments, such as steroid injections can also help you in your recovery.
My Frozen shoulder won’t heal. What do I do next?
If you are not healing and the pain is either the same or worsening, you will need to contact a musculoskeletal physician or sports doctor and seek further treatment, such as –
Conclusion –
If left untreated Frozen shoulder can cause further pain and stiffness within the neck and upper shoulders, preventing you from working or continuing your day to day activities with ease. It can be treated effectively with physiotherapy to help maintain good motion or with a course of ultrasound-guided injections.
If you need to know more about the treatments we provide or simply would like to book in for an appointment, get in touch today.
