Frozen Shoulder
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition where it becomes painful and difficult to move the shoulder joint. The shoulder capsule (which holds joint fluid) becomes thickened and inflamed resulting in pain and stiffness. This could affect daily activities; in severe cases it could be too stiff to move the shoulder at all.
What are the Risk Factors?
While the exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, there are some risk factors that you can look out for:
- People with diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, or stroke
- People who have undergone a previous shoulder surgery where the shoulder is immobilised for a period of time
- Individuals aged between 40-60 years old
What are the Common Symptoms?
Symptoms usually depend on the stage of the condition:
- Stage 1 (Freezing) – The shoulder starts to ache and becomes more painful. Mobility in the shoulder is gradually decreased. This can last between 6-9 months.
- Stage 2 (Frozen) – The shoulder is stiff and the pain is lessened or reduced; ability to perform daily activities is affected.
- Stage 3 (Thawing) – The patient slowly regains movement in the shoulder. Although the pain is now minimal, the shoulder is still stiff.
For a prompt and accurate diagnosis of frozen shoulder,
contact our shoulder subspecialist, Dr Yung, at 62355225 today.
How is Frozen Shoulder Treated?
Frozen shoulder eventually gets better on its own in most cases, but it may take anything from 6 months to even 2-3 years. With treatment however, this period can be shortened significantly. The main purpose of treatment is to treat the inflammation and prevent stiffness.
Treatment methods include:
- Physiotherapy: Targeted stretches and exercises can help to improve the range of motion of the shoulder.
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medications: These aid in reducing pain and inflammation for symptomatic relief.
- Corticosteroid injections: This aid in delivering targeted medication directly into the affected shoulder joint, offering temporary relief.
- Surgery: If conservative treatments prove unsuccessful, orthopaedic surgery may be performed to release the tightened joint capsule in the shoulder.
Dr Yung completed his subspecialty fellowship in shoulder surgery in the USA and has over 30 years’ experience to date.
For effective treatment, make an appointment with us at 62355225 today.
