When you suffer from a Frozen shoulder it means you are unable to move properly. In many cases, the shoulder cannot be moved at all and it limits your ability to move your arm or perform a variety of tasks.
It’s worth noting that the shoulder is generally considered the most mobile joint in the body, a frozen shoulder means the joint has become stuck. You’ll need help unfreezing it.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
In many cases, a frozen shoulder is the result of a gradual process where you lose mobility in the shoulder. It is common for this to be a result of inflammation in the area which irritates the joint and makes it difficult to move it.
The exact cause of the issue is hard to pinpoint, it can be a result of inflammation after a sudden trauma, or it could be linked to long-term mobility issues that cause the shoulder to be continually irritated and eventually lock it up.
Dealing With A Frozen Shoulder
The aim of any treatment process is to improve mobility and reduce pain. In the first instance, you may be prescribed painkillers by a doctor. This will help you focus on improving movement.
To do so, you’ll need to see a specialist, such as this physiotherapy Botany. They will work with you and guide you through the best exercises for your shoulder. In most cases, it involves moving the arm to stretch the joint and ease the inflammation.
The physiotherapist will show you an array of exercises that need to be done regularly at home. These will help to loosen the shoulder. However, you can’t expect an instant fix, the inflammation needs to subside.
Alongside this, regular sessions with the physiotherapist will be necessary. During these sessions, the physiotherapist is likely to use hot and cold treatment, electrical stimulation, and potentially ultrasound waves.
In some cases, it may be necessary to prescribe steroids to help reduce the inflammation and sleeping pills to help you get enough rest. However, these should be taken as little as possible.
Recovery Time
The amount of time it takes to recover depends on individuals. Specifically, how bad the frozen shoulder is, how regularly you do your exercises, and how good your body is at healing.
The good news is that, in most cases, frozen shoulder can be completely eliminated. It can take between 1-6 weeks for initial movement to be restored. But, the key to successful recovery is completing the prescribed exercises for 6-9 months. This will help to ensure the inflammation is completely gone and shouldn’t return.
The Surgical Option
In most cases, surgery is not required or desirable. However, if there is no noticeable improvement in movement or reduction of pain within 6-9 months then surgery may be the only answer. There are various surgical options including removing bone spurs that are causing the inflammation.
In rare cases, you can have the shoulder joint replaced. But, this isn’t usually necessary for a frozen shoulder.
