Treatment FAQ

what type of doctor for treatment of frozen shoulder

by Colt Kihn MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Frozen Shoulder Surgery
Our orthopaedic surgeons treat an extremely high number of patients with frozen shoulder and are experts in the latest surgical techniques. Surgery for frozen shoulder is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

Full Answer

How do you cure frozen shoulder?

Treatment

  • Medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with frozen shoulder.
  • Therapy. A physical therapist can teach you range-of-motion exercises to help recover as much mobility in your shoulder as possible.
  • Surgical and other procedures. ...

What causes a frozen shoulder?

  • One of the first signs of a frozen shoulder is a dull, aching pain in the outer shoulder.
  • The four stages of a frozen shoulder are prefreezing, freezing, frozen, and thawing.
  • Simple stretches and range-of-motion exercises can help reduce pain and stiffness.
  • Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

What are the symptoms of a frozen shoulder?

The most common frozen shoulder symptoms

  1. Shoulder pain. The most obvious and clear sign of frozen shoulder syndrome is pain, particularly in the musculoskeletal tissues and nerves in the shoulder area.
  2. Associated neck pain. Because they’re so closely connected, neck pain often comes with shoulder pain. ...
  3. Stiffness. ...
  4. Mobility issues. ...
  5. Increased pain at night. ...

How should I sleep with frozen shoulder pain?

  • Take prescribed or OTC medications that can help you alleviate inflammation and pain (anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications). ...
  • Stretching exercises can help. Your muscles become tight from working all day. ...
  • Rest your shoulders during the day to ensure there is as little pain as possible at night. ...

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What kind of doctor should I go with frozen shoulder?

If you think you may be suffering from frozen shoulder, set up an appointment with an orthopedic specialist today.

What do you call a doctor who specializes in shoulders?

Orthopedic doctors are specialists who treat shoulder and elbow pain. An orthopedic specialist can examine your shoulder or elbow and order imaging studies like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds.

What does an orthopedic doctor do for frozen shoulder?

Joint distension, which stretches the tissue by injecting sterile water into the joint capsule. This makes it easier to move the joint. Shoulder manipulation under general anaesthetic, which can help to loosen up tightened tissues in the joint.

Should you see a doctor for frozen shoulder?

Diagnosis. See your GP if you think you have a frozen shoulder, or if you have persistent shoulder pain that limits your range of movement. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent long-term stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Your GP will examine your shoulder and ask about your symptoms.

Should I see a doctor or chiropractor for shoulder pain?

You should always go see a doctor if you are experiencing pain that lasts for more than 48 hours. But when you start to notice unfamiliar shoulder pain, should you go and see a chiropractor? The answer is yes. A doctor of chiropractic is a great person to turn to for all of your shoulder-related pain.

What kind of doctor should I see for neck and shoulder pain?

You might initially contact your family doctor about your neck pain, and he or she may refer you to: A doctor who specializes in nonoperative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions (physical medicine and rehabilitation) A doctor who specializes in arthritis and other diseases that affect the joints (rheumatologist)

What is the fastest way to get rid of a frozen shoulder?

Sit or stand. Use your good arm to lift your affected arm at the elbow, and bring it up and across your body, exerting gentle pressure to stretch the shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. Do this 10 to 20 times per day.

Does physical therapy help frozen shoulder?

Physical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for frozen shoulder. A physical therapist can provide exercises to help restore the shoulder's range of motion and mobility. In more than 90 percent of cases, frozen shoulder goes away with physical therapy and time.

When do you need surgery for frozen shoulder?

Indications for frozen shoulder surgery: Surgery to treat idiopathic adhesive capsulitis is usually done when the patient's pain tends to increase after injected with steroids, or when the patient has significant residual pain and stiffness after 4 to 6 months of conservative treatment.

Does frozen shoulder show up on MRI?

Recent studies have shown that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can provide reliable imaging indicators of frozen shoulder.

Can a chiropractor fix frozen shoulder?

Chiropractic care can be an incredibly effective treatment option for people who suffer from frozen shoulder. With chiropractic care, people can control their pain, improve the range of motion of their shoulder, and expedite the recovery process.

What happens if frozen shoulder is not treated?

Frozen shoulder complications If left untreated, frozen shoulder may cause: Pain in the shoulders. Loss of mobility. Reduced range of motion.

What is frozen shoulder?

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder is a common condition that develops over time and limits the range of motion of your shoulder joint. This condition occurs when the tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint known as the capsule becomes thicker and tighter until it contracts and forms scar tissue. The condition most commonly affects women between 40 and 60 years of age.

Can frozen shoulder cause diabetes?

Frozen shoulder does not have any direct causes associated with it. However, frozen shoulder affects 10%-20% of people with diabetes. Other causes include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and if the shoulder has been immobilized for a long period of time.

What to do if you think your shoulder is frozen?

If you think you have a frozen shoulder, then you should see your doctor. Generally, your doctor will perform an assessment and simple tests such as an X-ray or ultrasound. Other conditions of the shoulder that should be ruled out include:

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition affecting the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. Usually, it presents as a gradual onset of pain and stiffness of the shoulder leading to a loss of function. The primary area of the shoulder affected is the capsule – which surrounds the joint but is under the tendons and muscles that move the joint.

What are the different stages of frozen shoulder?

Generally, a frozen shoulder has three distinct phases. Each stage can vary in duration and sometimes last for months or years. Stage 1, also known as the painful stage, presents as pain. Then, stage 2, also known as the stiff phase, means that people develop pain and increasing stiffness. Finally, stage 3, also known as the thawing phase, is where the pain and stiffness gradually improve. However, this last stage may take many months and, in some cases, may never fully resolve.

How to help a shoulder joint?

Usually, we try simple treatments first. Physiotherapy including stretching, manual techniques to move the shoulder joint, and acupuncture may help. Some simple tips you can try at home include gentle stretching with a towel after a hot shower and sleeping on your other shoulder. The Shoulder towel stretch also known as the hand behind the back stretch can help release a tightly contracted capsule. Once movement is improved, then active movement can help thaw out the capsule. Finally, strengthening using a rotator cuff band in all planes such as flexion, abduction, and external rotation can improve shoulder function. Also, simple pain killers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can lower pain levels and help with exercise.

Can frozen shoulder cause shoulder pain?

Overall, the most common complaint is shoulder pain. In general, pain is not found at one spot and affects both the front and back of the shoulder. Usually, night pain is a common finding as the disease progresses. However, it is often difficult to differentiate pain from frozen shoulder from other causes of shoulder pain such as arthritis or rotator cuff tendon disease. Often, it is not until stiffness occurs that the diagnosis is obvious.

Can you get frozen shoulder twice?

In general, the answer is no – which is a relief. However, you may get a frozen shoulder on the other side.

What causes a frozen shoulder?

It is not always known what causes frozen shoulder to develop, but certain individuals are at higher risk of developing the condition. Risk factors include: 1 Age: Frozen shoulder most commonly occurs in adults ages 40 to 60. 2 Shoulder injury: You may be more susceptible to developing frozen shoulder if you recently underwent shoulder surgery, suffered a rotator cuff injury or broke your arm. 3 Diseases and other health conditions: Individuals who have diabetes, certain thyroid conditions, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease or have suffered a stroke may have a higher chance of developing frozen shoulder.

What age does a frozen shoulder occur?

Risk factors include: Age: Frozen shoulder most commonly occurs in adults ages 40 to 60.

How long does it take to recover from shoulder surgery?

Your recovery from frozen shoulder surgery could range from several weeks to several months. Penn physical therapists, orthopaedic specialists and pain management specialists work together to ensure you get the follow-up care you need, for as long as your recovery takes.

What is the recovery process for frozen shoulder surgery?

Frozen Shoulder Surgery Recovery. Physical therapy is a very important part of frozen shoulder surgery recovery that helps maintain the range of motion recovered in surgery. Your doctor will immediately begin working with you on specific exercises you’ll need to perform after your procedure.

How to remove scar tissue from shoulder?

Using minimally invasive techniques, your surgeon will make a small incision in your shoulder. Using a tiny camera attached to a thin tube called an arthroscope , your surgeon will cut through the shoulder capsule and remove scar tissue from the joint (called a capsular release). Removing the tissue allows for range of motion to be regained. Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques allow for quicker recovery times, less pain and improved outcomes.

How does anesthesia help with shoulder pain?

The forced manipulation of the shoulder helps to increase range of motion and mobility.

What is the freezing stage of shoulder pain?

Freezing stage: You may begin to notice pain in the shoulder that causes you to limit your movement. Frozen stage: Stiffness in your shoulder persists, but pain has started to lessen. Thawing stage: You will begin to slowly regain motion, and pain continues to improve.

What does it mean when your shoulder is frozen?

People sometimes use the term “frozen shoulder” in a general way to describe many kinds of shoulder joint issues and conditions, such as bursitis, tendinitis or a rotator cuff tear. Once identified by a healthcare practitioner, whether a doctor of chiropractic medicine or a physical therapist, these shoulder problems have well established treatment protocols.

What causes a frozen shoulder?

Adhesive capsulitis results when the connective tissue within the shoulder capsule becomes contracted and constrained. The formation of adhesions, which are essentially stubborn bits of scar tissue, causes frozen shoulder symptoms, including the inflammation of connective tissues and making it impossible to fully activate the muscle tissues that support the shoulder capsule.

How long does it take for a frozen shoulder to get worse?

Frozen shoulder symptoms begin with minor shoulder pain, loss of strength and range of motion constraints, which get progressively worse over its two to nine-month time frame.

Can you move your shoulder with abduction?

This means that patients cannot move the affected shoulder through a normal range of shoulder abduction (i.e. lifting the arm horizontally, away from the body) and that, even with the assistance of another person, the patient’s shoulders cannot be put through a functional range of motion.

Can frozen shoulder be treated?

For patients who want to handle their frozen shoulder symptoms quickly and effectively from a dedicated frozen should er speciality, a specialized frozen shoulder treatment is needed, like the one offered by the World Frozen Shoulder Clinic.

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