About this topic
A frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder cannot move due to pain and stiffness. This happens when the area surrounding the shoulder joint or the capsule thickens and tightens. This can happen when the arm or shoulder is not moved for a long period of time, like when recovering from a broken arm or shoulder surgery. ‚
First, you have pain and may not be able to move your shoulder as normal. Next, the pain will lessen but the shoulder will be stiffer and harder to move. Then, moving the shoulder will not hurt and you should be able to make small movements. ‚
The signs begin slowly and worsen over time. They most often go away within 1 to 3 years. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Ice after activity may help with pain and swelling. Never ice before stretching.
- Your doctor may ask you to wear a brace, sling, or splint to prevent more damage to your shoulder.
- The doctor may teach you exercises to do or suggest a physical therapist to help improve your use of the shoulder.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may suggest a physical therapist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
Your shoulder will be hard to move for a long time, even with physical therapy. It may take 1 to 2 years to have your shoulder return to normal. Special exercises are needed. You will need to do them on a regular basis. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
Surgery may be needed if the shoulder does not improve after about 1 ‚ ½ years. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- A specific activity or job does not cause this problem.
- Diabetes. Frozen shoulder happens much more often in people with diabetes, affecting 10% to 20% of these individuals. The reason for this is not known.
- Other diseases. Some other health problems linked to frozen shoulder include thyroid disease, cardiac disease, and Parkinsons disease.
- Joint held in place. Frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder has been held in place for a period of time due to surgery, a break, or other injury. Moving the shoulder soon after injury or surgery is one way to prevent frozen shoulder.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Swelling gets worse
- Very bad pain that is not helped by the drugs given to you
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Do the exercises given to you by your doctor or physical therapist.
- Try not to get nervous or angry as improvement is slow.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or I have more numbness and tingling and swelling.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00071 ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/adhesive-capsulitis.printerview.all.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚