By Dr. Niraj Patel 0 Comments Exercises, Physio, Therapy frozen shoulder, frozen shoulder treatment, shoulder blade pain, shoulder pain

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Frozen Shoulders

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms usually appear gradually and then worsen. Symptoms improve over time, usually within 1 to 3 years.

The need to keep a shoulder immobile for an extended amount of time increases the danger of acquiring a frozen shoulder. It could occur following surgery or a broken arm.

Range-of-motion exercises are used to treat frozen shoulders. Corticosteroids and numbing medicines are sometimes injected into the joint as treatment. Arthroscopy is occasionally required to release the joint capsule so that it can move more freely.

Frozen shoulder rarely recurs in the same shoulder. However, some people can get it on the other shoulder within five years.

What Is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a disorder that affects the joint of your shoulder. It is typically characterized by pain and stiffness that develops gradually, worsens, and then resolves. It can take anything between a year and three years.

The ball-and-socket joint in your shoulder is made up of three bones. Your upper arm (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone are all affected (clavicle). Tissue surrounds your shoulder joint and holds everything together. It is known as the shoulder capsule.

When you have a frozen shoulder, the capsule becomes so thick and tight that it is difficult to move. Scar tissue forms in the joint, and there is less synovial fluid to keep it lubricated. These things further restrict movement.

How Does Frozen Shoulder Occur?

Think of an accordion. The accordion has many folds when it is shrunk. Similarly, the connective tissue on the underside of the joint folds up when the shoulder joint is at your side.

A frozen shoulder’s folds stick together and do not easily unfold to allow a full range of motion. It produces significant pain and restricts shoulder joint movement.

Symptoms

Frozen shoulder usually develops in three stages.

Stage of freezing

Any shoulder movement generates pain, and the shoulder’s range of motion is restricted. This stage lasts between 2 and 9 months.

The stage is frozen. During this period, the pain may lessen. However, the shoulder stiffens. It becomes more difficult to use. This stage lasts between 4 and 12 months.

Stage of thawing The shoulder’s mobility begins to improve. This stage lasts between 5 and 24 months.

Some people’s pain worsens at night, affecting their sleep.

Causes

A connective tissue capsule surrounds the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule around the shoulder joint swells and tightens, preventing movement.

It is unknown why this occurs in some persons. However, it is more likely to occur after holding a shoulder immobile for an extended period, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.

Risk factors

Certain things may raise your chances of getting frozen shoulder.

Age and sex

Frozen shoulder is more common in those over 40, especially women.

Immobility or reduced mobility

People who have had to maintain a shoulder somewhat motionless are more likely to acquire a frozen shoulder. Many factors can contribute to restricted movement, including:

Rotator cuff strain
Arm fracture
Stroke
Recovery from surgery
Systemic illnesses
Certain disorders appear to increase the risk of frozen shoulders.

Diabetes

Thyroid hyperactivity (hyperthyroidism)
Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism)
Cardiovascular illness
Parkinson’s disease (PD)

Prevention

Not moving a shoulder while recovering from a shoulder injury, broken arm, or stroke is one of the most prevalent causes of a frozen shoulder. If you’ve suffered an injury that makes moving your shoulder difficult, talk to your doctor about exercises that can help you retain your capacity to move your shoulder joint.

How can a frozen shoulder be diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform the following tests to determine a frozen shoulder:

Talk about your symptoms and go through your medical history.
Examine your arms and shoulders physically:
- The doctor will move your shoulder in various directions to see whether there is any pain with mobility. This form of examination, in which your doctor moves your arm rather than you, is known as establishing your “passive range of motion.”
- The doctor will also examine your shoulder movement to determine your “active range of motion.”
- A comparison of the two forms of motion is made. Frozen shoulder patients have a reduced range of motion in both active and passive motion.

The best workouts for frozen shoulder

Pendulum sway

Perform this exercise first. Allow your shoulders to release tension. Stand up and lean forward gently, allowing the affected arm to dangle. Swing your arm in a one-foot-wide circle. Make ten spins in each direction once a day. Increase the stretch when you’re ready by swinging your arm with a light weight (three to five pounds).

Towel Stretch

With one hand, hold one end of a three-foot-long towel behind your back and the opposite end with the other. Keep the towel in a horizontal position. Stretch the injured arm by pulling your good arm upward. You can do an advanced exercise variant with the towel draped over your healthy shoulder. Hold the bottom of the towel with the affected arm and bring it toward the lower back with the unaffected arm. It should be done 10 to 20 times per day.

Walk your fingers

Approach the wall three-quarters of the way. Reach out and touch the wall at waist level with the fingertips of the affected arm. With your elbow slightly bent, carefully spider-like, walk your fingers up the wall until you can comfortably raise your arm. The effort should be made using your fingers rather than your shoulder muscles. Lower the arm slowly (with the help of the good arm if necessary) and repeat. Perform this exercise 10 to 20 times per day.

Final Words

Simple therapies, such as pain medications and shoulder exercises combined with a cortisone injection, are frequently sufficient to restore motion and function within a year or less. Even when left untreated, range of motion and shoulder usage improve independently, albeit at a slower rate. After around two years, patients are fully or nearly fully recovered.

If you are suffering from frozen shoulder challenges then consult top physiotherapist Dr. Niraj Patel at Om Physio Plus Nutrition.

March 25, 2022

By Dr. Niraj Patel 0 Comments Physio bursitis, shoulder blade pain, shoulder tendonitis, tendonitis cause

What is the difference between shoulder tendonitis and bursitis?

Tendonitis is swelling of tendons. Tendons are just like cables that are attached to the bone through the muscles. These are the fibrous tissues that cause the movement of the bones. Tendons are spotted in the hands and legs just like the Achilles tendon. Tendonitis can commonly happen in areas like knees, shoulders, wrists, elbows, or heels. These conditions are commonly confused with various other conditions because it has similar symptoms such as swellings and pain. If you go through shoulder blade pain, you must visit the clinic for appropriate treatment. One of the most reliable clinics you can visit is Om Physio Plus Nutrition in Ahmedabad. Dr. Niraj Patel and his team are one of the most trustable physiotherapy doctors who would treat you with care.

You will be given an accurate diagnosis for your injury the procedure is as follows

Total physical assessment is done thoroughly by the specialist or doctors.
X-ray is done just to rule out the cause of the pain such as a fracture. This procedure is done to diagnose to find out the severity of the damage and treat accordingly.
MRI is ordered to access ligament or damaged muscle. Long-lasting pain is the sign of major injury

Causes of Tendonitis

This injury is caused due to repetitive motion. Majorly occurs during-

Throwing a ball
Swimming
Jumping
Swinging a racket
Shoveling snow
Gardening
Swinging a golf club
Bursitis

Bursitis is also known as a bursa. It acts as a cushion between the muscle and bones. It reduces the friction greatly caused due to the structures rubbing each other. You might find it in the elbows, knees, hips, or tendons of large joints.

Causes of Bursitis

Several activities that put pressure on the hip such as lying down, walking a long distance, sitting in one position for a long time can cause irritation and extreme pain.

Difference between shoulder tendonitis and bursitis

Acute injury or repeating motion can cause tendonitis. If you are facing shoulder blade pain, you must visit a doctor for a checkup. If tendonitis is left untreated, it can cause severe infection. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout can also be caused which can turn out to be quite serious.
Bursae are very essential to glide over the bones. Most commonly occurs at the knee cap, out of the hip, shoulder. shoulder bursitis treatment must be done as soon as possible for the decrease in pain.
Tendonitis can be very painful and becomes in tendons whereas bursitis is small sacs consisting of fluid around the area of joints. They become very irritated and swelled. Both of the conditions are having some symptoms such as inflammation and discomfort. It possibly affects the joint.
Bursae are present around joints to protect tendons, muscles, bones from friction rubbing against each other. bursitis shoulder must be treated as soon as possible as they are repetitive and cause an immense amount of pain. You must get it checked soon. physiotherapy for shoulder pain can make a huge impact and relief the pain.
Bursitis and tendonitis will be tough to differentiate. You must take the support of a doctor or specialist to find the diagnosis. The inflamed bursa can be outside the body and are more visible than tendonitis. Even basic treatment for shoulder pain will help you to detect the cause. The doctor must rule out the cause and treatment through ultrasound and bloodwork.

Treating Tendonitis or Bursitis

The treatment of tendinitis or bursitis largely is based on the injury. Limited activity is a must unless your wound is healed and to avoid complicated surgery. You must never avoid pain and required treatment must be done as soon as possible.

Resting the affected area is a must. You must not aggravate the pain as it can severely damage your body. For example, treatment for shoulder pain must be done as soon as possible. The injury area first needs time to rest. If the pain keeps being persistent the necessary action must be taken soon.
Applying an ice pack helps to decrease the swelling and inflammation readily. Minimize the tendons and bursa until they return to the normal stage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs further can help you go through the pain. Aspirin is the most opted choice taken by people regularly. This doesn’t reduce the inflammation but can decrease the pain temporarily. In the end, you must go to physiotherapy for shoulder pain. Detection and treatment of the cause are very essential.
Cortisone injections may opt if the symptoms and the pain are persisted ant. This is a powerful drug so must be taken under the prescription of a doctor. It will help you to reduce inflammation. It can also result in weakening the tendon and chances are that they are prone to rupture.
Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles surrounding. shoulder bursitis treatment is done through physiotherapy. Alleviated stress at the affected area can prevent the reoccurrence of this injury.

Conclusion

It is very essential to first detect the cause. You must visit one of the most reliable clinics Om Physio Plus Nutrition to get guidance through advanced and proper equipment in Ahmedabad. The best physiotherapist Dr. Niraj Patel will help you through the process from start till the end with all the care possible. Rehabilitation is very essential for recovery and prevention of reassurance. All you have to remember is that pain is the start. Persistent pain is never a good sign. Take the appropriate action and follow the prescribed procedure of recovery.

Tag: shoulder blade pain