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Frozen Shoulder is a condition where the shoulder capsule (group of ligaments enclosing the shoulder joint) becomes stiff and tight. Thick bands of tissue called adhesions develop in the shoulder capsule and for this reason Frozen Shoulder is also termed as Adhesive Capsulitis in medical terms.
There are typically 3 stages:
1. Stage 1: FREEZING
No, surgery is not always necessary for a frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis). Most cases of frozen shoulder can be managed with non-surgical treatments. If you need surgery, it is normally performed during the frozen phase of the condition.The surgeon will use arthroscopy (keyhole surgery), making small incisions around the shoulder joint and inserting an arthroscope (a thin, pencil-sized instrument). The aim is to stretch and release the stiffened joint capsule, breaking down scar tissue.
A frozen shoulder normally improves by itself, but this can take up to three years in some cases and often doesn’t completely resolve. The freezing stage, described above, can last between 6 and 9 months, the frozen stage between 4 and 12 months, and the thawing stage from 6 to 2 years. In the meantime, you can have treatments to help relieve the symptoms and speed up your recovery.
How can I cure my frozen shoulder quickly?
A: For quick relief
For long-term relief
Examples of home-based exercises include:
A: The doctor will refer you to a physical therapist who will teach you several exercises to stretch your joints and strengthen your muscles. These exercises involve gentle and circular movements that may go upanddown or sidetoside.
One such exercise is the internal rotation stretch, which you can do with a towel:
Studies have shown that patients with diabetes are more likely to get shoulder disorders such as frozen shoulder and rotator cuff disease.
Treatment for a frozen shoulder is to
Most patients with adhesive capsulitis are treated nonoperatively; more than 90% respond to conservative interventions to control pain and restore motion. Invasive options for refractory cases include extracorporeal shockwave therapy, manipulation under anesthesia, hydro dilatation (hydrodistension), and selective arthroscopic capsular release.
Steroids are powerful drugs, which, used appropriately, can be very helpful, but, used inappropriately, can cause problems. In general, we limit steroid injections to a maximum of three per joint - if a patient is not better after three injections, they are unlikely to get better with further injections. Repeated injections risk damaging the rotator cuff tendons. The risks of any injection include infection, but this is a very rare complication. The majority of the steroid stays locally and do not cause generalized steroid side effects, though diabetics may notice their blood sugar control is affected by the injection. So, don’t take steroids unless and until advised by your doctor.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease where the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. This leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced joint movement. It primarily affects weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine but can also affect the hands and other joints.
OA is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joint
Currently, osteoarthritis has no cure, but symptoms can be managed effectively with treatments& the disease progression can be delayed. The goal is to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. This can be achieved through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
Currently, osteoarthritis has no cure, but symptoms can be managed effectively with treatments& the disease progression can be delayed. The goal is to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. This can be achieved through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
Medications: Pain relievers (acetaminophen), NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), and corticosteroid injections.
Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness.
Lifestyle changes: Regular low-impact exercise, weight management, and joint protection techniques.
Surgical options: In severe cases, joint replacement surgery (e.g., knee or hip replacement) or minimally invasive surgeries like arthroscopy may be considered.
Muscle stiffnessis a feeling of tightness or resistance in the muscles that can make movement more difficult or uncomfortable. It can range from mild and temporary to more severe or chronic.
Muscle stiffness can occur due to several reasons, including:
Seek medical attention if:
Yes, muscle stiffness particularly 24 to 48 hours after a workout, is common and is referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It happens due to micro-tears in the muscle fibres and the subsequent healing process. However, if the stiffness is extreme or doesn't improve with rest, it may indicate overtraining or an injury.
Yes, poor posture, especially when sitting for long periods, can lead to muscle stiffness in the neck, back, and shoulders. Hunching over can put undue muscle stress, leading to tightness and discomfort. Regular stretching and correcting your posture can help alleviate this.
Muscle stiffness refers to tightness or rigidity in the muscle, often without pain, and is usually the result of overuse, tension, or injury.
Muscle cramping is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle that causes intense pain, typically due to dehydration, low electrolytes, or muscle fatigue.
Yes, stress can contribute to muscle stiffness. People tend to tense their muscles when stressed, especially in areas like the neck, shoulders, and back. Chronic stress can lead to prolonged muscle tension and stiffness.
Joint replacement is a surgical procedure where a damaged joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant. It is done to relieve pain and improve function in patients with severe joint arthritis or injury. The most common joints that are replaced are the hip and knee, but other joints like the shoulder, elbow, and ankle can also be replaced.
Joint replacement is typically recommended when other treatments (like medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes) no longer provide relief from pain or improve function. It's often considered when severe arthritis, injury, or other conditions cause chronic pain and disability, affecting daily activities like walking or climbing stairs.
Joint replacements can last 15 to 20 years or longer, but their lifespan depends on factors like age, activity level, and the type of implant used. Re-operation may be required if the implant wears out or fails.
However, the overall risk of serious complications is relatively low with advanced technique surgery.
Yes, the patient needs to stay in the hospital after surgery for a few days to a week, depending on the type of joint and your overall health condition. Some patients may undergo a same-day discharge or shorter stay, especially with minimally invasive techniques.
Yes, physical therapy can be very effective in managing osteoarthritis. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen muscles around the affected joint, which helps improve joint stability and reduce pain. Stretching and mobility exercises may also improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Excess weight increases the stress placed on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, accelerating the wear and tear of cartilage. Losing weight can reduce the load on these joints, which helps alleviate pain and prevent further damage. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective strategies for managing Osteoarthritis.
Excess weight increases the stress placed on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, accelerating the wear and tear of cartilage. Losing weight can reduce the load on these joints, which helps alleviate pain and prevent further damage. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective strategies for managing Osteoarthritis.
While osteoarthritis cannot always be prevented, certain measures can reduce your risk:
While OA is more common in older adults, it can affect younger individuals, especially if they have had joint injuries or certain genetic conditions. This is sometimes referred to as juvenile osteoarthritis, but it is rare and typically occurs after significant trauma or in those with congenital joint deformities.
Stage 1: Minor (Early Stage)
There is minimal wear and tear on the cartilage. The cartilage begins to lose some of its elasticity and smoothness, but it remains thick and there is no significant damage. There may be very little or no pain or stiffness.
Cartilage wear becomes visible, with thinning and small cracks or fissures forming in the cartilage. However, the joint is still able to function reasonably well.Pain and stiffness may begin to occur more frequently, especially after activity or at the end of the day. Joint movement might be slightly restricted, but most daily activities are still possible without major difficulty.
The cartilage is now damaged. The bones may begin to rub against each other, causing inflammation and pain.Pain becomes more constant and may be present even at rest. Joint stiffness is more pronounced, and the range of motion is more limited. Activities like walking, bending, or lifting may become difficult.
The cartilage is severely worn away, and there may be little to no cartilage left in the joint. The bones are rubbing against each other, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation.Pain is often constant and can be disabling, limiting mobility and making it difficult to perform even basic daily activities. Joint deformities may be present, and muscle weakness can develop due to reduced movement.