A frozen shoulder is more commonly seen in older people, usually
between the ages of 40 and 65. Women tend to be more prone to
experiencing the symptoms. A person suffering from this problem gets a
lot of pain and stiffness in the shoulder which could last for a long
time. It is important to remember that this condition is not in any way
similar to arthritis.
Stages of a Frozen Shoulder
The symptoms of this condition typically appear in three major stages.
The first stage is the most severe. It generally lasts for about two to nine months. During this time, the pain is intense, especially at night. Putting any pressure on the side of the frozen shoulder makes it worse.
The next stage is the stiffness stage where the pain reduces a little (or you are simply used to it by this stage) and the stiffness sets in, limiting your movement. Rotation of your arm will get affected and the muscles in that arm will start to waste a bit due to lack of use.
The third and final stage is the recovery period. This could last anywhere from one to three years. The pain and stiffness will gradually reduce and you will start to gain a lot more movement in your arm. The muscles will start to loosen and you will start to feel better gradually.
Causes of a Frozen Shoulder
The exact cause of a frozen shoulder is not known but it is thought to occur due to scar tissue which is formed in that area. This may cause the tissue around the shoulder joint to thicken and limit its movement. This often occurs after a sports injury.
What to do if You Get a Frozen Shoulder
A visit to your doctor is highly recommended in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor would most likely ask you to get an MRI scan or an X-ray of your joint to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to painkillers, the doctor will also recommend a few exercises to ensure that you keep the muscles in the area active. In serious cases, you may require to take a steroid injection which will provide a great deal of relief. Surgery may also be considered if the pain gets very bad and if there is any severe damage in the region. Besides the surgery, the other treatments are merely given to help you to cope with the pain and they are usually not curative treatments.
Stages of a Frozen Shoulder
The symptoms of this condition typically appear in three major stages.
The first stage is the most severe. It generally lasts for about two to nine months. During this time, the pain is intense, especially at night. Putting any pressure on the side of the frozen shoulder makes it worse.
The next stage is the stiffness stage where the pain reduces a little (or you are simply used to it by this stage) and the stiffness sets in, limiting your movement. Rotation of your arm will get affected and the muscles in that arm will start to waste a bit due to lack of use.
The third and final stage is the recovery period. This could last anywhere from one to three years. The pain and stiffness will gradually reduce and you will start to gain a lot more movement in your arm. The muscles will start to loosen and you will start to feel better gradually.
Causes of a Frozen Shoulder
The exact cause of a frozen shoulder is not known but it is thought to occur due to scar tissue which is formed in that area. This may cause the tissue around the shoulder joint to thicken and limit its movement. This often occurs after a sports injury.
What to do if You Get a Frozen Shoulder
A visit to your doctor is highly recommended in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor would most likely ask you to get an MRI scan or an X-ray of your joint to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to painkillers, the doctor will also recommend a few exercises to ensure that you keep the muscles in the area active. In serious cases, you may require to take a steroid injection which will provide a great deal of relief. Surgery may also be considered if the pain gets very bad and if there is any severe damage in the region. Besides the surgery, the other treatments are merely given to help you to cope with the pain and they are usually not curative treatments.
Lakeland Spine Center
is a chiropractic clinic that offers various kinds of treatments in
order to help relieve pain and deal with diseases. A number of modern
non-surgical techniques are used to provide patients with unique
wellness and pain relief programs. Teams of highly qualified physicians
are all board certified and great at treating complicated problems.
Check out our new page on a Frozen Shoulder.
