Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is when the shoulder is painful and loses motion because of inflammation Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis

Causes
The capsule of the shoulder joint has ligaments that hold the shoulder bones to each other. When the capsule becomes inflamed, the shoulder bones are unable to move freely in the joint. Most of the time there is no cause for frozen shoulder. Risk factors include:
Cervical disk disease of the neck Diabetes Shoulder injury Shoulder surgery Open heart surgery Thyroid problems

Symptoms
The main symptoms are:
Decreased motion of the shoulder Pain Stiffness

Frozen shoulder without any known cause starts with pain. This pain prevents you from moving your arm. Lack of movement leads to stiffness and then even less motion. Over time, you become unable to do movements such as reaching over your head or behind you.

Tests and diagnosis

Hands up. Raise both your hands straight up in the air, like a football referee calling a touchdown. Opposite shoulder. Reach across your chest to touch your opposite shoulder. Back scratch. Starting with the back of your hand against the small of your back, reach upward to touch your opposite shoulder blade. Frozen shoulder can usually be diagnosed from signs and symptoms alone. May suggest imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI to rule out other structural problems.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Continue to use the involved shoulder and extremity in as many daily life activities as possible within the limits of your pain and range-of-motion constraints. Applying heat or cold to your shoulder can help relieve pain.

Treatment

Most frozen shoulder treatment involves controlling shoulder pain and preserving as much range of motion in the shoulder as possible. Medications Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with frozen shoulder. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs. Therapy A physical therapist can teach you stretching exercises to help maintain as much mobility in your shoulder as possible. Surgical and other procedures Most frozen shoulders get better on their own within 12 to 18 months. For persistent symptoms, your doctor may suggest:
Steroid injections. Injecting corticosteroids into your shoulder joint may help decrease pain and improve shoulder mobility. Joint distension. Injecting sterile water into the joint capsule can help stretch the tissue and make it easier to move the joint. Shoulder manipulation. In this procedure, you receive a general anesthetic so you'll be unconscious and feel no pain. Then the doctor moves your shoulder joint in different directions, to help loosen the tightened tissue. Depending on the amount of force used, this procedure can cause bone fractures. Surgery. If nothing else has helped, you may be a candidate for surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions from inside your shoulder joint. Doctors usually perform this surgery arthroscopically, with lighted, tubular instruments inserted through small incisions around your joint.

Possible Complications
Stiffness and pain continue even with therapy The arm can break if the shoulder is moved forcefully during surgery

Outlook (Prognosis)
Treatment with physical therapy and NSAIDs will usually restore motion and function of the shoulder within a year. Even untreated, the shoulder can get better by itself in 24 months. After surgery restores motion, you must continue physical therapy for several weeks or months to prevent the frozen shoulder from returning. Treatment may fail if you cannot keep up with physical therapy.