Frozen Shoulder Physiotherapy
If you're experiencing shoulder pain or stiffness, early intervention can make a significant difference. Contact Chennai Physio Care today to schedule an assessment and begin your journey toward recovery.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Struggling with persistent shoulder pain and stiffness? Frozen shoulder can severely limit your movement and affect your daily life. But with the right treatment, you can restore your shoulder’s full function and get back to the activities you love.
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a significant reduction in the range of motion in the shoulder joint. This condition typically develops gradually and worsens over time, often making everyday activities, such as reaching for objects or getting dressed, incredibly challenging.
The condition progresses through three distinct stages:
- Freezing Stage: The shoulder becomes increasingly painful, and its range of motion starts to decrease.
- Frozen Stage: Pain may diminish, but the shoulder remains stiff, severely limiting movement.
- Thawing Stage: Shoulder motion gradually improves, though complete recovery can take months.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always clear, but several factors are known to contribute to its development:
- Prolonged Immobilization: Extended periods of immobility, such as after surgery or injury, can lead to the onset of frozen shoulder. It’s particularly common in those who have had to wear a sling or cast.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder, although the reasons for this link remain unclear.
- Other Medical Conditions: Thyroid disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson’s disease are also associated with a higher incidence of frozen shoulder.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder symptoms typically develop gradually and may include:
- Pain: Often starts as a dull or aching pain in the shoulder area, which may radiate down the arm. Pain is typically worse at night, making sleep difficult.
- Stiffness: As the condition progresses, the shoulder becomes stiffer, limiting the range of motion. This can make it hard to perform simple tasks such as reaching overhead or behind the back.
- Reduced Mobility: The stiffness can become so severe that it affects the ability to move the shoulder in all directions.
Diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder
Diagnosing frozen shoulder usually involves a combination of a physical examination and imaging tests:
- Physical Examination: Your physiotherapist will assess your shoulder’s range of motion and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays or MRI scans may be used to rule out other conditions such as arthritis or rotator cuff injuries that could cause similar symptoms.
Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder
Treatment for frozen shoulder aims to alleviate pain and restore movement. It typically includes:
- Physiotherapy: The cornerstone of frozen shoulder treatment, physiotherapy involves specific exercises to stretch the shoulder joint and improve its range of motion. Techniques such as manual therapy, where the therapist gently manipulates the joint, can also be beneficial.
- Medications: Pain relief is often managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections, which can help reduce inflammation.
- Hydrodilatation: This procedure involves injecting a large amount of sterile fluid into the shoulder joint to stretch the joint capsule and improve mobility.
- Surgery: In severe cases, where non-surgical treatments have not improved symptoms, arthroscopic surgery may be considered to release the tightened joint capsule.
Prevention and Long-term Management
While not all cases of frozen shoulder can be prevented, certain strategies can reduce your risk:
- Maintain Shoulder Mobility: Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can help maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.
- Early Mobilization After Injury: If you’ve had shoulder surgery or an injury, begin gentle movement as soon as your doctor advises, to avoid prolonged immobility.
Treatments at Chennai Physio Care
At Chennai Physio Care, recognized as the best physiotherapy clinic in Anna Nagar, we offer comprehensive treatment options tailored to alleviate shoulder pain and improve mobility. Our expert team diagnoses and treats various types of shoulder pain, including rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, and arthritis, utilizing advanced techniques and personalized care plans. Whether caused by mechanical issues, injuries, or medical conditions, our goal is to provide effective relief and help patients return to a pain-free life.
