What is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a medical condition that occurs in the shoulder joint. In this condition, the capsule of the shoulder joint and the surrounding tissues thicken and harden, which restricts the movements of the shoulder and causes pain. Frozen shoulder usually develops in two stages: the "freezing" and "thawing" stages. While the movements in the shoulder joint are restricted in the first stage, the movements of the shoulder are regained in the second stage.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder Occurrence?
Although the exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, some factors may contribute to it;
- * Old age
- * Shoulder injuries
- * Diabetes
- * Heart diseases
- * Thyroid problems
- * Shoulder Surgeries
- * Calcification
- * Shoulder inflammation
Many of these factors are associated with inflammation and tissue damage in the shoulder joint.
What Are the Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder?
The severity of the disease may differ from person to person. However, the following symptoms are usually observed in people with frozen shoulder:
- * Pain in the shoulder: There is a constant pain or a feeling like a knife is stuck in the shoulder. Pain increases with movement, especially of the shoulder joint.
- * Limitation of movement: Movement of the shoulder becomes difficult and painful. The person may not be able to raise their shoulder beyond a certain distance.
- * Weakness: Weakness and muscle weakness may occur in the shoulder.
- * Shoulder tension: You may feel a tightness or stiffness in the shoulder.
- * Sleep disorders: Shoulder pain and limitation of movement can affect the sleep quality of the person and cause sleep disorders.
- * Difficulty in daily activities: The person may have difficulty in doing daily activities due to the limitation of movement of the shoulder joint.
Clinical symptoms may worsen over time and negatively affect a person's quality of life. Therefore, it is important to consult a physical therapy and rehabilitation physician when symptoms occur.
What Are the Dangers of a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder can cause limitation of movement and weakness in the shoulder joint in the long term. This can lead to difficulty in daily activities and reduced quality of life. Also, if frozen shoulder is not treated, it can cause permanent damage to the joint capsule and tendons.
The dangers of frozen shoulder;
- * Permanent limitation of movement: This can lead to difficulty in daily activities and reduced quality of life.
- * May turn into chronic pain
- * Joint damage: May cause permanent damage to joint capsule and tendons.
- * Underlying health problems: Frozen shoulder can be a sign of underlying health problems in some cases.
- * Restriction in daily activities: Due to the limitation of movement in the shoulder joint, the person may have difficulty doing housework, doing sports or even doing personal care.
What is the Treatment Protocol of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder treatment needs to be individually planned and progressed gradually.
Frozen shoulder treatment consists of the following steps:
- * Medication: Medications such as painkillers, steroid injections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
- * Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help strengthen shoulder muscles and restore shoulder range of motion. Some combinations of physical therapy devices are used together with physical therapy sessions, personalized exercise programs.
- * Interventional Treatment; Complementary Medicine Applications such as intra-articular injections, acupuncture, neural therapy, mesotherapy, PRP, Stem cell treatments can be applied.
- * Shoulder manipulation: Your doctor may perform shoulder manipulation to restore the shoulder's range of motion.
- * Surgical intervention: In rare cases, surgical intervention may be required. Surgery can help treat frozen shoulder by loosening or cutting the capsule in the shoulder joint.
How Long Does it Take to Treat Frozen Shoulder Syndrome?
The duration of treatment for frozen shoulder syndrome may vary depending on the severity of the disease, how early treatment is started, and the general health status of the patient. The treatment process can take a few weeks, sometimes a few months.
The treatment process may continue until the patient's symptoms subside, and your doctor will follow you regularly during this time. You can also learn about exercises and lifestyle changes you can do at home.
Spc. Dr. Canan YILDIRIM
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
