Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the joint capsule becomes thick and contractures form within the shoulder. Pain and stiffness are prime characteristics of adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder is prevalent among people ages 40 to 60 years old. Incorporating shoulder range of motion exercises and stretching reduces the pain and discomfort of frozen shoulder.
Causes
Frozen shoulder occurs in 2 to 3 percent of the population. It is unclear why frozen shoulder occurs. A 1999 report by the American Academy of Family Physicians suggests there is a prevalence among individuals with diabetes affecting 10 to 20 percent of the population. Affected are also persons with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and cardiac disease. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that frozen shoulder can occur when the shoulder has been immobilized for some time.
Stages
Symptoms accompanied by frozen shoulder are a dull ache and decreased range of motion of the joint. There are three stages of frozen shoulder: freeze, frozen and thawing stage. During the freeze stage the individual will experience an onset of pain commonly on the outside front area of the shoulder. As pain progresses also does a decrease in mobility. During the frozen stage, shoulder stiffness increases while pain decreases. This stage can be present up to nine months. The thawing phase is the last phase, in which range of motion slowly increases and pain diminishes. This stage can last between five to 26 months.
Range of Motion
Regaining movement is essential to persons with frozen shoulder. Slowly increasing range of motion will gradually decrease pain. Over-the-door pulley is an active-assisted exercise that will help regain overhead function and movement of the shoulder. Traction or pendulum exercises and wall climbing are all exercises for re-establishing movement.
Stretching
Include stretching simultaneously while doing range of motion exercises. Stretching the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint as well as the chest and back will help increase range of motion and decrease pain. Include the across-the-shoulder stretch, biceps and tricep stretch, pectoralis, trapezius and rhomboid stretch to your exercise program.
Time Frame
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that 90 percent of the people with frozen shoulder regain motion with stretching and range of motion exercises. In certain cases, some individuals take up to several years to regain shoulder movement accompanied by some shoulder stiffness.
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