Frozen Shoulder
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a medical condition that causes discomfort, inflammation, and stiffness in your shoulder. While frozen shoulder is often the result of an obscure cause like an old injury or overuse, we do know that it can affect one or both of your shoulders and is common for people between 40 to 60 years of age, individuals suffering from diabetes, or people who are immobile or sedentary for long periods of time.
Just as the name suggests, frozen shoulder limits your range of motion and occurs when the shoulder joint capsule (the connective tissue around your shoulder joint) ‘freezes’ by getting thicker and inflamed.
Symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- Dull, aching or severe pain in your shoulder
- Reduced mobility or minimized range of motion
- Stiffness in the shoulder or arm
- Unexplained trouble or pain while moving your shoulder
The more pain you feel, the stiffer your joint is which is why it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Thankfully, frozen shoulder can be ‘unfrozen,’ and while full recovery takes time, it is attainable. Depending on the severity of your frozen shoulder, our orthopedic surgeon will prescribe treatments such as chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, or stretching to treat your symptoms and heal your injury. Oftentimes, our orthopedic surgeon will assign exercises and stretches to do at home as a part of your treatment plan.
If you are experiencing frozen shoulder, intense shoulder pain, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, please call us today at (504) 347-0243 to request your appointment at Westside Orthopaedic Clinic with our orthopedic surgeon.
