Frozen shoulder can be debilitating. If you ever had shoulder stiffness or pain that restricted your range of motion you may have frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. 

This condition that affects the capsule, which is a connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint. When the capsule thickens and tightens around the joint, it restricts movement and causes pain. It is estimated that up to 5% of the population will suffer from frozen shoulder at some point in their lives. A number of factors, including: 

• Injury or trauma to the shoulder 
• Prolonged immobility or lack of use of the shoulder joint 
• Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or cardiovascular disease 

Symptoms typically develop slowly over time and progress through three stages: 

• Freezing stage: Pain and stiffness develop gradually and worsen over time, limiting range of motion in the shoulder. 
• Frozen stage: The shoulder becomes stiffer, and range of motion becomes severely limited. 
• Thawing stage: Range of motion slowly improves over time until the shoulder returns to normal. 

The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it is believed to be due to inflammation and scar tissue formation within the capsule. 

Treatment for frozen shoulder typically involves a combination of physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications. Some potential treatments include: 

• Manual therapy and Range-of-motion exercises: mobilisation of the joint can increase the range of motion alongside, stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help maintain mobility in the shoulder joint. 
• Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications may be used to manage pain. 
• Corticosteroid injections: Steroid injections into the shoulder joint can help reduce inflammation and improve range of motion. 
• Surgery: In severe cases where other treatments have failed, surgery may be necessary to release the tight capsule around the shoulder joint. 
• Laser Therapy: Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to reduce pain and inflammation.

R3 Physiotherapy in Wanstead and Ilford provides a variety of services to help people with this condition. To manage pain and promote healing, our skilled physiotherapists can create a customised treatment plan that includes physical rehabilitation, massage, and laser therapy. 

In conclusion, frozen shoulder can be a debilitating condition that has a significant impact on quality of life. Individuals can, however, experience significant improvements in their symptoms and overall well-being with proper understanding of the condition and appropriate treatment. If you have shoulder pain or stiffness, seek medical attention to determine the best course of treatment for you. 

References 

Rangan, A., Brealey, S. D., Keding, A., Corbacho, B., Northgraves, M., Kottam, L., … & Cooper, C. (2020). Management of adults with primary frozen shoulder in secondary care (UK FROST): a multicentre, pragmatic, three-arm, superiority randomised clinical trial. The Lancet, 396(10256), 977-989. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31959-8

Srikesavan C, Toye F, Brealey S, Goodchild L, Northgraves M, Charalambous CP, Rangan A, Lamb S. Experiences and perceptions of trial participants and healthcare professionals in the UK Frozen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST): a nested qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2021;11(6):e040829. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040829. PMID: 34117042; PMCID: PMC8202103.