Stiffness and pain in the shoulder, caused by inflammation of the membranes of the shoulder joint after injury or a period of immobility, when deposits may form in the tendons.
A painful condition, medically termed adhesive capsulitis, resulting in greatly restricted mobility of the shoulder joint. The immobility tends to occur at a level or point in the range of motion at which the shoulder cannot be moved, either by the person experiencing frozen shoulder or by another person manipulating the arm in the shoulder joint. At this blocked level of movement, there may be increased pain. The pain may intensify at night.
Chronic painful stiffness of the shoulder joint. This may follow injury, a stroke, or myocardial infarction or may gradually develop for no apparent reason. Treatment is by gentle stretching and exercises, sometimes combined with ‘corticosteroid injection into the joint.
A painful condition of the shoulder accompanied by stiffness and considerable limitation of movement. The usual age-incidence is between 50 and 70. The cause is inflammation and contracture of the ligaments and muscles of the shoulder joint, probably due to overuse. Treatment is physiotherapy and local steroid infections. There is nearly always complete recovery, even though this may take 12-18 months.
Frozen shoulder is characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder, which restricts the joint’s regular range of motion. In more severe instances, the shoulder may become completely rigid, and the pain can be intense.
Frozen shoulder arises due to inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule lining. In certain instances, it may follow a minor shoulder injury. Immobilizing the shoulder for an extended period, such as after a stroke, can also lead to frozen shoulder. However, in many cases, the condition develops without any apparent reason.
Frozen shoulder is more prevalent in individuals above the age of 40. Additionally, people with diabetes mellitus have a higher susceptibility to developing this condition.
Mild symptoms of frozen shoulder can be alleviated through exercises, taking analgesic drugs (painkillers), and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation. Applying ice-packs can also be helpful. However, in severe cases of frozen shoulder, corticosteroid drugs may need to be injected directly into the affected joint.
Under general anesthesia, manipulating the joint can restore its mobility. However, this treatment comes with the risk of initially increasing the pain.
Recovery from frozen shoulder is typically gradual, and the shoulder may remain stiff for several months. However, in most cases, it returns to normal and becomes pain-free within two years.