Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, is a condition characterized by tightening of the shoulder joint capsule, often resulting in stiffness, decreased range of motion, and inflammation.
Living with frozen shoulder can make it hard to perform movements you may take for granted, such as reaching for a plate or getting dressed in the morning. If you’re struggling to find relief, know that supportive and effective treatment options are available.
Dr. Steven J. Svabek is an orthopedic specialist who offers cutting-edge treatments for shoulder pain. He provides conservative and surgical therapies for people with frozen shoulder and other orthopedic injuries.
Anyone can develop frozen shoulder, but some people are at greater risk than others. If you experience stiffness and pain in one shoulder, you could be dealing with it. Risk factors for frozen shoulder include:
Inflammation is a common cause of frozen shoulder. A typical shoulder joint moves freely, but with frozen shoulder, inflammation thickens the joint capsule, immobilizing it.
Women over 40 are more likely to develop the condition than men.
Anything that causes shoulder joint immobility can lead to adhesive capsulitis. Prolonged inactivity due to an injury, a broken arm bone, or surgery can trigger frozen shoulder.
Chronic health issues such as thyroid problems, diabetes, and heart disease all increase the risk of inflammation and frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the stage of the process. The three main phases of frozen shoulder are freezing, frozen, and thawing.
Symptoms cycle through these stages and range from mild to severe, and include:
During the freezing period, your shoulder becomes stiff and painful. The pain usually worsens over six weeks to nine months. It becomes increasingly harder to move the shoulder joint.
During the frozen period, the shoulder remains stiff, but the pain is less severe than during the freezing period. However, it’s hard to perform daily activities that require the use of the shoulder.
The thawing period is the recovery stage of the process. During this time, pain decreases, and mobility slowly increases. It can take up to two years to fully recover from a frozen shoulder.
A frozen shoulder can be frustrating, but meaningful relief is possible. Combining home exercises with professional treatments can provide long-lasting results. Options include:
Typically, a combination of physical therapy, medications, and home exercises is enough for mild to moderate frozen shoulder. However, if stiffness and immobility persist, surgery may be necessary to help you regain comfort and movement.
We offer manipulation of the shoulder under anesthesia and shoulder arthroscopy to remove adhesions as surgical options. Dr. Svabek reserves surgery as a last resort due to its invasiveness and associated risks.
If you’re frustrated by shoulder pain, take the first step toward relief today. Call the Coral Springs, Florida, office of Steven J. Svabek, DO, PA, or request an appointment online.
