Adhesive capsulitis treatment
Other conditions can also cause restricted motion and a stiff joint--the diagnosis of a frozen shoulder includes specific symptoms. Often people experience trauma to the shoulder prior to the onset of the frozen shoulder, and sometimes there is no known cause for developing a frozen shoulder.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. The ball is the top of the arm bone (the humeral head), and the socket is part of the shoulder blade (the glenoid). Together these bones form the glenohumeral joint; this is the ball (humerus) and socket (glenoid)--the glenohumeral joint. Normally, the shoulder joint allows more motion than any other joint in the body. When frozen shoulder sets in, however, the limits in motion can make this a stiff and useless joint. The condition is characterized by a decrease in motion, primarily seen in lifting the arm and turning it inwards. Frozen shoulder is most common in the 40-60 year old age group and it is twice as common in women as men. People usually experience pain as the first symptom of frozen shoulder, followed by the loss of motion and a decrease in pain. Normally a gradual return of motion will follow; however, the length of time for recovery from frozen shoulder can be prolonged, with an average duration of 18 months. Frozen shoulder treatment primarily consists of pain relief and physical therapy. Exercises and stretching for frozen shoulder serves two functions: • to increase the motion in the joint
Cortisone injections are also commonly used to decrease the inflammation in the frozen shoulder joint. Usually up to three injections can be given, spanning several weeks. After three injections, if improvement is not seen it is unlikely that more injections will alter the course of frozen shoulder treatment. If the above treatments do not resolve the frozen shoulder, occasionally a patient will need to have surgery. If this is the case, the surgeon may perform a manipulation under anesthesia. A manipulation is performed with the patient sedated under anesthesia, and the doctor moves the arm to break up adhesions caused by frozen shoulder. There is no actual surgery involved, meaning incisions are not made when a manipulation is performed. Alternatively, or in conjunction with a manipulation, an arthroscope can be inserted into the joint to cut through adhesions. This procedure is called an arthroscopic capsular release. Surgical capsular release of a frozen shoulder is rarely necessary, but it is extremely useful in cases of frozen shoulder that do not respond to therapy and rehab. If surgery is performed, immediate physical therapy following the capsular release is of utmost importance. If rehab does not begin soon after capsular release, the chance of the frozen shoulder returning is quite high. For more great information on adhesive capsulitis and shoulder tendonitis, go to Tendonitis Tendonitis-Treatment-Tips.com provides reliable, accurate, and useful information on tendonitis treatment written by a board-certified rheumatologist. Learn more about how to get tendonitis relief using the most up-to-date methods.
|
