Language
Country/Area
No result found
The stages of frozen shoulder revealed: What are the symptoms of each stage?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common shoulder disease that mainly presents with pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The disease usually begins slowly over a period of weeks to months. Over time, the range of motion of the shoulder will gradually decrease, and the patient may even be unable to perform various activities freely. Their shoulders usually do not feel obvious pain when touched, but as time goes by, the symptoms will worsen, affecting normal life and work.
The symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain and limited range of motion, but these symptoms are also common in many shoulder conditions.
Stages and symptoms of frozen shoulder
The symptoms of frozen shoulder can usually be divided into three main stages, each stage has its own unique and obvious characteristics.
The first stage: freezing period
During this stage, the patient will experience increasing pain, especially at the limits of the shoulder's range of motion, and may experience worsening pain at night. The duration of this phase usually ranges from six weeks to nine months. The range of motion of the shoulder joint will gradually be restricted, and these symptoms can make many daily activities difficult.
The second stage: freezing period
This stage is characterized by a gradual decrease in pain but still strong stiffness, resulting in severely limited range of motion in the shoulder, and usually lasts from four to 12 months. During this time, the patient may experience a loss of flexibility in the shoulder and the inability to perform previously voluntary movements.
The third stage: thawing period
This stage is the recovery period of the shoulder. The range of motion of the shoulder will slowly return. This usually takes five months to 26 months. Although improvement at this stage is significant, there may still be some residual stiffness that affects functional recovery.
Each stage of change shows that frozen shoulder is progressive, painful and erratic.
Causes and risk factors of frozen shoulder
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, but is often related to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. Many factors may increase the risk of frozen shoulder, including injury, prolonged inactivity after surgery, and certain systemic diseases, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and heart disease. Studies show that people with diabetes are five times more likely to develop frozen shoulder.
According to research, frozen shoulder is five times more common in people with diabetes than in controls.
Diagnosis and treatment methods
Diagnosis of frozen shoulder usually relies on the patient's medical history and physical examination, and requires ruling out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Your doctor will evaluate the shoulder's range of motion, specifically limitations in external rotation, which is a characteristic indicator of frozen shoulder. Although imaging examinations are unnecessary, they can help rule out other causes, such as abnormal synovial fluid.
For treatment, the initial consensus is that non-surgical treatment is the first choice, including physical therapy, oral analgesics, and steroid injections. Some patients may need a combination of treatments over a period of time, and such a diversified approach often leads to better results. Exercise and physical therapy are crucial in treatment, especially in relieving pain and enhancing muscle function.
The importance of exercise
Specifically, it is very important that exercises to improve shoulder function include shoulder stretching and strengthening exercises. Through a targeted exercise program, patients can improve blood circulation, reduce pain, and improve joint flexibility. This not only helps with shoulder recovery but also improves overall quality of life.
With regular exercise training, many patients with frozen shoulder are able to regain normal function and stability.
Surgical considerations
If there is no significant improvement with non-surgical treatment, the patient may need to consider surgical options, usually capsular release surgery. This surgery effectively relieves restrictions caused by scar tissue and promotes functional recovery. However, the post-surgery recovery phase is equally important, with the help of physical therapy to slowly re-establish range of motion and muscle strength.
Conclusion
Although frozen shoulder usually resolves on its own over time, the healing process can last from one to three years. For many patients, pain and stiffness may persist even after treatment, making recovery challenging. When facing this disease, a positive attitude and continuous exercise are the keys to recovery. Are you facing your health problems correctly?
