A common type of shoulder injury treated by orthopedists is frozen shoulder. If you were recently diagnosed with this condition, then read on to learn about recovering from this kind of injury.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder

Sometimes referred to as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is associated with pain and stiffness in the joint . Most commonly, these shoulder injuries affect people between ages 40 and 60 and occur more commonly in women. When frozen shoulder develops, the shoulder capsule, which is made of connective tissue and surrounds the joint, thickens and tightens. Adhesions, which are thick bands of tissue, form and make it difficult for the individual to move the arm in the joint. Typically, the person experiences gradually increasing pain and loss of motion followed by shoulder stiffness and less pain.

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

The exact causes of frozen shoulder are not completely understood, but the condition occurs more often in individuals with diabetes. Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and cardiac disease are also associated with this condition. Typically, patients visit a doctor because of their symptoms either as the shoulder starts to freeze up or once it has lost most or all its movement. First, your doctor will discuss your medical history and the symptoms that you’re experiencing. Then, after performing a physical examination, he may use X-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose your frozen shoulder.

Treating Frozen Shoulder

Once a shoulder is frozen, the recovery period typically takes between 6 months and 2 years. Over this time, the shoulder gradually recovers normal movement and strength. Most patients can recover through relatively simple treatments like physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections. In some cases, patients require surgical treatment followed by physical therapy to recover from frozen shoulder.

At Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, we offer high-quality and experienced sports medicine for a broad range of injuries. If you’re suffering from a shoulder injury near Queens, then please give us a call today at (347) 537-2404.