| Frozen shoulder is usually seen in persons aged | | | | When the pain increases, there is loss of motion.o |
| 40-60 years old. It can be very painful and | | | | Frozen stage - The pain improves, but the |
| debilitating. The person can be male or female. | | | | stiffness is still there.o Thawing stage - The |
| The condition is not always seen in the dominant | | | | motion comes back slowly. |
| arm. The occupation of the patient does not | | | | When diagnosing frozen shoulder, X-rays or MRI's |
| seem to be a factor in this condition. | | | | are generally used. |
| The symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain | | | | When frozen shoulder does not get better on its |
| located in the outer shoulder area or upper arm | | | | own, anti-inflammatories can be used to alleviate |
| and a dull ache when the shoulder is moved. Pain | | | | the pain. When that does not help, frozen shoulder |
| or stiffness or loss of motion can occur in the | | | | therapy may be indicated. This therapy includes |
| shoulder joint. Diabetics are very susceptible to | | | | range of motion exercises. These exercises help |
| this condition. | | | | to stretch the affected area. Heat and/or nerve |
| An injury can also trigger frozen shoulder if the | | | | blocks can be added to reduce the pain. |
| area is immobilized for a period of time. Frozen | | | | Surgery is a last resort when there is no |
| shoulder is caused by a thickening in the shoulder | | | | improvement. Anesthesia is used to be able to |
| cavity around the shoulder joint. This, in turn, can | | | | force the shoulder to move. Sometimes, incisions |
| cause restricted motion or stiffness. If the | | | | are used to help stretch the shoulder area. After |
| problem is minor, frozen shoulder therapy can be | | | | surgery, treatment consists of physical therapy. |
| indicated, many times using rotator cuff exercises. | | | | Recovery usually takes six weeks to three |
| The three stages of frozen shoulder are -o | | | | months. |
| Freezing stage - There is a slow onset of pain. | | | | |