Feb 27, 2023

What is Frozen Shoulder? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that can make it difficult to move your arm. The term "frozen shoulder" refers to the pain and stiffness that occurs when your shoulder joint becomes inflamed. This can happen when the tissue surrounding tendons thicken, causing them to lose elasticity and flexibility. If you have a frozen shoulder, you may be able to treat it with physical therapy and other treatments.

Anatomy of the shoulder - In simple terms

The shoulder is the joint between the upper arm and the shoulder blade. It is composed of three joints:

👉glenohumeral (GH) joint - between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity 👉acromioclavicular (AC) joint - between the acromion process of the scapula and the clavicle 👉sternoclavicular (SC) joint - between the manubrium of the sternum and the clavicle

⚾The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile in your body, allowing you to raise or lower your arm at will. It also allows for large rotations when combined with other movements throughout your body (such as swinging a baseball bat).

*A synovial joint is a type of joint that allows for movement. It has a capsule filled with synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant.

Glenohumeral (GH) joint - between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity

✔️The GH joint is a ball and socket joint, meaning that the head of your humerus fits into a cup-like cavity in your scapula (shoulder blade). This allows for movement to occur around multiple axes.

✔️The GH joint is also considered a gliding joint because it does not have any major ligaments or muscles attaching to it; instead, it relies on surrounding muscle groups for stability.

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint - between the acromion process of the scapula and the clavicle

✔️The AC joint is a synovial joint that connects the acromion process of your scapula and clavicle to form one bone.

✔️The head of your humerus rests in this joint when you're standing upright or sitting with good posture.

✔️This means there's only one way for it to move: up and down.

✔️If you have an injury to this area, it will affect how much movement you can get out of your arm while keeping it straightened out behind you (a position known as "abduction").

The main function of this joint is to allow us to raise our arms above our heads (an important part of everyday life that we take for granted!) It also allows us room for flexibility when doing activities such as reaching over our heads or reaching across our bodies for something on another side from where we're standing. At any given moment during day-to-day living tasks (cooking dinner or brushing teeth) activities require raising both arms above shoulder level.

Sternoclavicular (SC) joint - between the manubrium of the sternum and the clavicle

✔️The SC joint is a synovial joint that connects the manubrium of the sternum and clavicle.

✔️The SC joints are diarthrodial joints, meaning they're connected by two bones (in this case, it's your manubrium and clavicle).

✔️This type of joint has three surfaces: one concave surface on each bone as well as an intervening articular cartilage disc between them.

The SC joint is also known as a ball-and-socket joint because its shape resembles that configuration. It has an oval cavity called an intervertebral disc where muscles attach to give you some range of motion within this area while keeping stability in place too.

It's important to have a good understanding of how your body works, especially if you're doing physical activity.

🏃It is important to have a good understanding of how your body works, especially if you're doing physical activity. For example, if you know how your muscles work and what they do, then it will help prevent injuries.

If you have an injury or pain in the shoulder area, knowing where it's coming from will help determine what type of treatment is needed. For example, if there are muscle problems causing the pain in this area then massage therapy may be recommended as part of treatment plan along with other forms of therapy such as stretching exercises or strengthening exercises depending on what type of pain is present and how severe it is.

Common shoulder injuries or conditions

Shoulder injuries and conditions are common and can be painful. It's important to understand what some of these injuries are so that you can spot them early on, which will help you get the right treatment and avoid long-term problems.

Rotator cuff tendonitis

💪Rotator cuff tendonitis is the inflammation and irritation of the tendons that connect your rotator cuff muscles to your shoulder joint.

💪The cause of this condition is usually overuse or repetitive stress to the shoulder joint (such as from throwing a ball). When these muscles become inflamed, they can't work properly and can cause pain in your shoulder blade area where it attaches to your arm bone (also known as acromioclavicular joint). The severity of symptoms depends on how much damage has been done: some people experience mild discomfort while others suffer severe pain with even slight movements such as reaching up above their head or putting up groceries.

Biceps tendonitis

💪Biceps tendonitis occurs when the biceps tendon becomes inflamed and irritated. The biceps tendon is the thickest tendon in your body, so it's prone to injury if you use it too much or if you do something that causes a sudden jerking motion (like throwing a ball).

💪The biceps muscle is located on top of your upper arm bone and helps with flexing at your shoulder joint. When this muscle contracts, it pulls on its attachment point (the biceps groove) on either side of your humerus (upper arm bone). If this happens over time without rest or proper conditioning of those muscles, inflammation may develop in those areas where tendons attach to bones

Labral tear

💪A labral tear is a partial or complete tear of the labrum, a stabilizing structure that surrounds the socket of your shoulder joint.

💪The labrum can be torn during repetitive overhead activities like throwing and swimming, or from heavy lifting.

💪 If you have had one shoulder injury or another that required surgery on your rotator cuff (the tendons that help hold it together), it's possible for small pieces of those tendons to break off and get stuck in this area as well, causing pain and swelling over time.

💪Labral tears are usually diagnosed with an MRI scan or arthroscopy. An arthroscopy is a procedure where doctors use cameras inserted into the joint space to look around inside your shoulder joint.

Glenohumeral instability

Glenohumeral instability is a condition in which the shoulder joint moves out of its normal position.

There are five types of glenohumeral instability:

Anterior glenohumeral instability: the ball of your humerus (upper arm) slips forward when you raise your arm. This type of instability affects about 5 percent of people with shoulder pain.
Posterior glenohumeral instability: the ball of your humerus (upper arm) slips backward when you raise your arm, causing pain and loss of range of motion. The cause may be a torn labrum or rotator cuff tear; this type accounts for up to 35 percent of cases involving painful shoulders in children between ages 10 and 17 years old; it also accounts for 25 percent among adults older than 40 years old who have had previous injuries such as dislocations or fractures involving their upper limbs

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It's often caused by damage to the small muscles around your shoulder that help move it.

The symptoms of frozen shoulder include:

Pain when trying to move your arm or lift it above your head.
Stiffness in your shoulder joint when resting or sleeping (the worst at night).

You may also notice:

A tight feeling around your upper arm bone (humerus).
Changes in how far and fast you can raise or lower your arm without pain.

It is important to know these injuries and be able to recognize them

It's important to know these injuries and be able to recognize them, because early diagnosis and treatment are key. If you have a shoulder injury, it's best to get it checked out by your doctor, physical therapist or even an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible so they can recommend the best course of action for your condition.

In addition, there are several things you can do in order to prevent shoulder injuries from happening in the first place:

Avoid positions that put strain on your shoulders (such as carrying heavy bags on one side).
Practice good posture while sitting at work or driving in the car (don't slouch!). MendMeShop even sells a posture corrector that can help you achieve a better posture!

🧑‍⚕️It is important to know these injuries and be able to recognize them. If you do suffer from any of these conditions, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible so that they can be treated.

and onto more about Frozen Shoulder.....

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes joint stiffness and loss of range of motion.

👉A frozen shoulder is a condition that causes joint stiffness and loss of range of motion. It's also called Adhesive Capsulitis and can be very painful.

👉Frozen shoulder is more common in older people, but it can occur at any age. It's more common in women than men.

It often affects people aged 70 and older, although younger people can develop it as well.

👉Frozen shoulder is a condition that affects the shoulder joint. It happens when your muscles and tendons around the joint become stiff and lose their ability to move well.

👉Over time, frozen shoulder can cause pain and stiffness in your shoulder, making it hard for you to raise or lower your arm. The condition may also prevent full range of motion in all directions of movement (for example, from side-to-side or up and down).

Frozen shoulder most often affects people age 70 and older, although younger people can develop it as well. It's more common in women than men; this may be due to differences in hormones or other factors (such as pregnancy).

Frozen shoulder is more common in women than men.

👉Frozen shoulder is more common in women than men. It can also occur at any age, but it's most often seen in people over the age of 50.

👉People with some health conditions are more likely to develop frozen shoulder than those who don't have these conditions.

The condition usually occurs in just one shoulder at a time.

👉The exact cause of frozen shoulder isn't known, but it may be related to injury or trauma to your shoulder joint. The pain can be severe enough to interfere with your ability to work or perform daily activities such as dressing yourself or cooking dinner for yourself.

👉 It can persist for months or even years before resolving on its own (though treatment options are available).

The cause of frozen shoulder isn't clear...

👉Researchers believe the development of Frozen Shoulder may be related to changes in the connective tissue that surrounds the joint, which may also affect circulation within the joint. This leads to muscle atrophy (muscle wasting) and stiffness that gradually worsens over time.

👉For most people with frozen shoulder, symptoms develop gradually over several months or years until they become severe enough that activities like reaching overhead or putting on a shirt are difficult or impossible without help from another person.

👉Frozen shoulder usually occurs on one side at a time; however, both sides can be affected at once if you have conditions such a rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms usually begin gradually and include pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in your shoulder.

The symptoms of frozen shoulder can include:

Pain. The pain associated with frozen shoulder is typically moderate to severe, and it may be felt in the front or side of your shoulder joint. It's usually worse during the night and when you wake up in the morning.
Stiffness. Your muscles will feel tight, especially when you try to move them through their full range of motion (ROM). This stiffness often starts in one area (such as when you reach across your body with your arm) but then spreads throughout other parts of your body as well.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose frozen shoulder based on your symptoms and physical exam.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, including when they started, how they affect your life, and whether there's anything that seems to make them better or worse.
The doctor will then perform a physical exam of your shoulder joints (the area where the upper arm meets the shoulder). They'll check for tenderness in and around those joints as well as muscle weakness in that region. If necessary, they might also order x-rays, a CT scan, MRI or other tests to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

Physical therapy may help reduce pain and increase mobility in your shoulders if you have the condition.

🧑‍🔬Physical therapy may help reduce pain and increase mobility in your shoulders if you have the condition. The goal of physical therapy is to restore normal range of motion, which can be done in the doctor's office or at home. Your therapist will teach you exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles around your shoulder joint. You'll also learn how to position yourself for better comfort as well as safe ways to move through daily activities (like putting on a shirt).

If physical therapy isn't effective or if you don't want to try it, surgery may be considered as treatment options for frozen shoulder.

🧑‍🔬Physical therapy is the first line of treatment for frozen shoulder and can help ease pain and improve range of motion. However, physical therapy can be painful and time consuming. 🧑‍🔬Surgery has risks including infection and bleeding in the joint capsule (which holds your bones together).

The cause of frozen shoulder is not well understood, although some researchers believe they may be caused by an infection or injury to a nearby nerve. In addition, medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) have been linked to increased risk for developing this problem. The good news is that frozen shoulder usually gets better on its own after several months or even years with treatment; however, if your symptoms persist without improvement then you should seek medical attention from your doctor or physical therapist

References

We pride ourselves on being thoroughly researched before we post blog posts, articles or webpages. Here is a list of references used to create this content:

👉Ref 1: Frozen Shoulder, NHS, UK

👉Ref 2: Frozen Shoulder, Symptoms & Causes, Mayo Clinic

👉Ref 3: Frozen Shoulder, John Hopkins Medicine

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