Frozen Shoulder

By Nathalie Agius

Bsc. (Hons) Physiotherapy

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

The shoulder joint is a 'ball ans socket' joint enclosed within a strong fibrous capsule. Frozen shoulder is a condition where this capsule becomes thicker and tighter, causing your shoulder to become stiff and painful. Frozen shoulder effects around 5% of the population and is most common in women aged between 40 and 60.

What causes Frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is thought to develop due to inflammation of the shoulder joint and the surrounding capsule. It is most common when there has been previous damage to the shoulder, such as a rotator cuff tear, or if you've had to keep your shoulder stiff for a long time, such as, after a fracture and post shoulder surgery.

What are the Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?

There are two main symptoms of frozen shoulder:

• A dull or aching pain in your affected shoulder, which is often worse at night or when you move your shoulder joint.

• Stiffness around your shoulder joint that may stop you from moving your shoulder normally. This can make it difficult to do everyday tasks such as driving or dressing yourself.

If you experience any of these symptoms talk to your physiotherapist immediately! Early treatment will give the best results!!

Stages of Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder is usually said to develop in several stages, which may overlap.

Physiotherapy

If you think you have a frozen shoulder, it is advisable to seek the advice of your physiotherapist immediately. The physiotherapist will perform a thorough examination of your shoulder, and will be able to diagnose accordingly. A frozen shoulder may take several years to recover on its own. Getting early treatment to decrease pain and increase movement, may give the best results. The most effective physiotherapy modalities include exercise therapy and manual therapy, to help reduce pain and stiffness.

In severe cases, your doctor may recommend a steroid joint injection, to help ease the pain, making physiotherapy more comfortable for you. Surgery may be indicated, if all other treatment fails.