Frozen Shoulder

If you have pain, stiffness and loss of movement in your shoulder it could mean that you have Frozen shoulder, especially if you are in the 40 + age group in which it is more common. It is also more common in people that have diabetes.

CAUSE


The shoulder has usually been wrenched or can be due to overuse for example in swimming. Frozen shoulder can also follow an injury from disc trouble in the neck.

Frozen Shoulder Symptoms


You will feel pain in your shoulder joint and possibly in your upper arm which feels worse when you try and use it, also your movement is restricted, hence the name Frozen shoulder.

Treatment


Your arm should be supported in a sling for 48 hours, but during this time it is important to keep the fingers and wrist moving. It is then essential to get the shoulder 'moving' as soon as possible after injury. Frozen shoulder can get better without medical help but anti-inflammorties are needed to ease the pain and reduce any inflammation. Your doctor may give you a cortisone injection to help and give you a course of physiotherapy at a clinic where you will probably receive exercises you can perform at home also.

Frozen Shoulder Recovery


Full recovery from Frozen shoulder can take up to two years. From about 1-9 months pain will gradually go but there will still be stiffness. Movement will usually start to improve at about 4-5 months but full mobility may take up to two years. Surgery is performed when non-surgical attempts have failed. There will be a quicker recovery rate, but high maintenance of the shoulder is required after surgery to keep the mobility gained from the surgery.