Frozen shoulder is one of the commonest conditions in day to day life. Sometimes it’s very painful. It’s difficult to move hands. It becomes difficult to lift hands. The pain is more irritating at the time of rest.Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a term that describes a condition in your joint that starts out with pain, then progresses into stiffness and lack of mobility, then eventually returns to normal.
Why does it occur?
Primary causes of frozen shoulder are chronic illness and sedentary lifestyle.The conditions which do prolonged bedrest causes frozen shoulder. Sometimes injury causes prolonged bed stay with limited motility. Later it causes damage to the shoulder joint with fibrous overgrowth causing restriction of motion. This condition is common in chronic conditions like hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Sometimes prolonged limited use of limbs after stroke causes a frozen shoulder.anything that makes you sedentary can contribute to frozen shoulder syndrome.
Stages of frozen shoulder
Typically, frozen shoulder progresses through three stages over a period of about two or three years.
1. Freezing
In the beginning, pain that becomes progressively worse in night time while taking rest. During this “freezing” phase, joint becomes stiffer, more painful, with a decrease in range of motion. This stage lasts two to nine months.
2. Frozen
In the next four to six months, their pain subsides somewhat. Restriction remains there. But the “frozen” part remains still like that. They simply can’t move the joint to perform everyday tasks. The uncomfortable feelings Persist.
3. Thawing
After the first year, those who suffer from frozen shoulder syndrome get some improvement. Restriction goes away. Over up to three years, the shoulder eventually returns to normal function.
How to get rid of it
Physical therapy: several specific exercises are there for decrease in restriction. It helps in mobilisation.
RICE therapy: Rest, ice application, compression and elevation helps in home care.
Antiinflammatory drugs: several antiinflammatory drugs are there for the pain in joint. Take the medicine after consultation with the doctor.
Pain intervention : Several injections are given in ultrasound guide. It helps in early recovery.
Surgery: Surgery is rarely needed in resistant cases.
Frozen shoulder is an extremely painful common condition. Regular exercise and medication helps in early recovery.
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