Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is very painful and can cause immobility to the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder comes from inflammation and scarring of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. The scarring is also referred to as adhesions.

It is always wise to get a proper diagnosis of frozen shoulder. Injuries to the shoulder and severe arthritis can also present itself as frozen shoulder. A physician can sometimes tell by doing an examination…

If there is limited movement in the shoulder area especially when he manipulates the shoulder, it is possible that it can be due to frozen shoulder. If the physician is unsure, an X-ray may be done. If that is unclear, then an MRI is often done by injecting dye into the shoulder region to see exactly where the problem lies.

Frozen shoulder symptoms include –

• Shoulder pain – it is usually a dull ache
• Restricted movement
• Everyday activities such as getting dressed, combing hair and reaching overhead become difficult.

There are three stages to frozen shoulder –

• Freezing – a slow steady onset of pain and restricted movement. This can last six to twelve months.
• Frozen – the pain eases, but the stiffness is still there. This can last four to six months.

Thawing – Mobility gradually returns, pain eases. This stage can last more than a year. Frozen shoulder symptoms are very often seen in diabetics, stroke victims, those with heart problems and sometimes after an injury where movement is restricted.

Frozen shoulder is treated with anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections and physical therapy. Surgery is always a last resort. When anti-inflammatories, injections and physical therapy do not work, then arthroscopic surgery is performed to release the scar tissue and manipulate the shoulder. Physical therapy always follows surgery.

To sum this up, frozen shoulder symptoms are important, but your physician is the expert on diagnosing the condition.

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