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Frozen Shoulder and Physiotherapy
A frozen shoulder, scientifically known as adhesive capsulitis, causes stiffness and soreness in the shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms often appear slowly and eventually worsen. Symptoms gradually improve, generally within 1 to 3 years.
Keeping your shoulder stagnant for an extended period increases the likelihood of developing a frozen shoulder. This might occur after going through surgery or breaking an arm.
Physiotherapy exercises that improve range of motion are used to treat frozen shoulders. Corticosteroids and pain-numbing medicines may be injected into the shoulder joint as part of therapy. Rarely arthroscopic surgery is required to relax the joint capsule and allow it to move freely.
Frozen shoulder seldom recurs in the same shoulder. However, some individuals get it on their other shoulders within 5 years.
Frozen Shoulder Symptoms
Frozen shoulder usually develops progressively in three phases.
Freezing stage: Any movement of the shoulder generates discomfort, and its capacity to move is restricted. This period lasts 2 to 9 months.
Frozen stage: Pain may reduce at this time. However, the shoulder stiffens. Using it gets increasingly complicated. This period lasts 4-12 months.
Thawing stage: The shoulder’s capacity to move gradually improves. This period lasts 5–24 months.
Frozen Shoulder Causes
There are several factors that may increase your susceptibility to developing a frozen shoulder including:
Diabetes: Individuals with diabetic conditions are significantly more susceptible to developing frozen shoulders. The cause of this phenomenon remains unknown. Also, diabetic patients who have frozen shoulders exhibit a higher degree of rigidity that persists for a prolonged period before “thawing.”
Additional illnesses: Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiac disease are some additional medical conditions that are associated with immobilized shoulders.
Immobilization: After a shoulder has been immobilized (held in a fixed position without movement) for an extended period as a result of surgery, a fracture, or another injury, a frozen shoulder may develop. One preventative measure for immobilized shoulders is to require patients to move their shoulders promptly with proper physiotherapy exercises following an injury or surgery.
Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder
Research indicates that conservative treatment of locked shoulders is effective in up to 90% of patients. Conservative management includes non-operative options, including medication, steroid injections, and physiotherapy.
The physiotherapy intervention is determined by the stage and symptom presentation of the frozen shoulder. Patient education, pain management, postural exercises, strengthening, and moderate stretching exercises comprise early intervention. These exercises are dedicated to the maintenance of the shoulder range of motion within a pain-free window. They consist of specific shoulder mobilization exercises.
Additionally, a home exercise program is recommended to preserve the mobility and strength of the shoulder during the different stages. Hydrotherapy can also be beneficial in preserving shoulder mobility in a pain-free environment.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy is crucial for maintaining motion after shoulder surgery, with recovery times ranging from 6 weeks to 3 months. Commitment to therapy is crucial for returning to activities. Frozen shoulders can be caused by immobility after surgery or injury, and movement guidelines and pain management are essential for maintaining mobility.
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