Physical therapists at Absolute Physical Therapy state that frozen shoulder is a condition that is caused by stiffness or pain in the shoulder joint. It is also known as adhesive capsulitis and is prevalent in patients who have less mobility in the shoulder joint. Other patients with the risk of developing frozen shoulders are those recovering from a medical condition or procedure.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms typically begin progressively and worsen over time then get better usually within 1-3 years. The symptoms develop in three stages with each stage lasting a couple of months.
Stage 1: Freezing
The freezing stage is when the shoulder joint becomes stiff and the patient may experience a sharp pain when trying to move their shoulder. Physical therapists in Houston, TX would term the shoulder as partially unmovable because the patient cannot experience the full range of the shoulder. Night pain is severe at this stage.
Stage 2: Frozen
The frozen stage is characterized by less severe pain although the shoulder becomes stiffer. Sometimes, the shoulder socket would feel locked in one position before the patient can move it. Using the shoulder at this time becomes extremely difficult and would be a crucial time to involve physical therapy at Absolute Physical Therapy.
Stage 3: Thawing
At this stage, the range of motion begins to improve and the pain subsides. Catching pain at this stage is rare though some patients may complain of mild pains.
Treatment can happen in three ways. One is getting medication such as corticosteroids and numbing medications injected in the shoulder joint capsule. When the condition becomes chronic which happens in rare occasions, an arthroscopic surgery is recommended. Just as any physical therapist in Houston, TX would advise, a range of physical motion exercises would suffice as the most effective form of treatment.
Reference Links
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frozen-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20372684
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-frozen-shoulder#1