Understanding Frozen Shoulders - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
The shoulder joint has a unique joint structure which is designed to enable extensive three-dimensional mobility and quick reflexive responses. However, this amount of flexibility comes at the cost of its stability and durability. Stiff shoulders are one of the adverse sequelae caused due to fractures or dislocations of the shoulder, cervical or thoracic surgery, or immobilisation for treating any upper limb surgery. Often known as ‘adhesive capsulitis’, the evolution of the frozen shoulder condition can be summarised in four stages: However, It is traditionally regarded as a self-limiting condition, which universally settles and recovers with or without treatment over a variable time course. Stage 1 : After the symptoms have been present for three months, there is a mild loss of front flexion, abduction and internal and external rotation, and an aching pain which aggravates while moving the arm. Stage 2 : Also known as the ‘freezing stage,’ which occurs afte...