Frozen Shoulder Treatment – Rehabilitation Program For Adhesive Capsulitis

Frozen Shoulder Treatment – Rehabilitation Program For Adhesive Capsulitis

A Frozen Shoulder treatment should always include specific rotator cuff exercises to be implemented in the thawing phase of the disorder. Adhesive Capsulitis is one of the most difficult and disabling conditions of the shoulder joint, affecting mobility and range of motion. It strikes individuals over 40, more women than man in a ratio of 2 to 1 and it is not clear yet how exactly a frozen shoulder occurs, though links to diabetes and/or being overweight are proven.

This is not a stone carved rule, as Adhesive Capsulitis can develop in slim or non diabetic individuals or as a consequence of injury. Inflammations such as Bursitis and Tendonitis or a tear can lead to scarring of the capsule tissue surrounding the shoulder joint. These scars are called Adhesions, hence the medical term. The disorder shows itself with symptoms common to different shoulder conditions, mainly pain on the side of the shoulder that can spread down to the elbow, especially at night.

At this stage, the freezing stage, a common frozen shoulder treatment consists of anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or prescription drugs. They do work in masking the symptoms, but do nothing to eliminate the root cause of a frozen shoulder. Other common treatments are ultrasounds and hot packs. The adhesions are different from other shoulder inflammations that require cold packs. Hot packs and ultra sounds are aimed at breaking up the coarse and thickened tissue, thus helping restore general mobility and range of motion, but they are only mildly effective.

A more drastic treatment is called manipulation. Manipulation is the physical breaking of the adhesions by the surgeon moving the arm affected under general anesthesia, due to the high pain threshold. Surgery too is performed with the purpose of getting rid of such adhesions. Both manipulation and surgery are usually performed during the frozen phase due to its lengthy run and must be followed by a rehabilitation program. A frozen phase can last 1 year or more leaving the sufferer incapacitated in most mundane tasks such as steering the wheel car or shampooing his/her hair.

Finally, in the thawing phase a very gradual restoration of mobility and natural healing process takes place, but it too can last a year or more, during which time a set of specific rotator cuff exercises can help restore mobility and speed up recovery times. A full frozen shoulder treatment should therefore include a rehabilitation exercise protocol for a permanent recovery and also to reduce drug dependency.