Frozen Shoulder

What is a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder is a condition that causes stiffness, pain, and limited mobility of the shoulder. In medical terms, this is referred to as adhesive capsulitis and is the result of the build-up of tough, fibrous scar tissue that limits the range of motion of the joint and causes other symptoms. Frozen shoulder typically begins as mild stiffness and/or pain, and can increase in severity to the point where normal, everyday activities become difficult and painful.  Dr. Joseph Lamplot, orthopedic shoulder specialist, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who have experienced a frozen shoulder

What causes a frozen shoulder?

There are many reasons a patient may develop a frozen shoulder, and some patients with particular diagnoses may have a higher risk of developing this condition. A build-up of scar tissue and thickening of the soft tissue within the shoulder can be caused by long periods of immobilization, such as following a trauma or surgery. This lack of movement in the shoulder may contribute to the onset of a frozen shoulder. Additionally, patients with diabetes, thyroid disease, pulmonary conditions, cardiac conditions, Parkinson’s Disease, breast cancer treatment, or those with neurological conditions may be more likely to develop a frozen shoulder. This condition is also more common in women than men, and in patients that are over the age of 45.

What are the stages of frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder develops over time and can be classified differently based on the severity and impact it has on the patient. The most common stages of a frozen shoulder include:

• Freezing: Patients experience the onset of pain in the shoulder with some limitations in their ability to move their shoulder. Patients often cannot recall a trauma or event that may have started the pain. A patient may experience this stage of frozen shoulder for approximately 6 weeks to 9 months.
• Frozen: A patient will experience severe limitations in their ability to move their shoulder. This may impact daily activities such as driving a car or changing clothing. This stage can last for 4 to 6 months. During this period, may experience a reduction in their pain level as they become more stiff.
• Thawing: During this stage, the patient will begin to regain a normal range of motion in their shoulder, decrease in pain, and have an easier time changing clothes or driving a car. The thawing stage of a frozen shoulder may last between 6 months to 2 years.

What are the symptoms of a frozen shoulder?

• Painful ache in the shoulder with movement
• Weakness or stiffness that increases in severity over time.
• Reduced range of motion of the shoulder
• Inability to move arm above shoulder height
• Difficulty moving the shoulder to perform daily activities such as dressing, cooking, or driving a motor vehicle.

How do I know if I have a frozen shoulder?

To diagnose a patient with a frozen shoulder, Dr. Lamplot will first evaluate the patient’s past medical history, including any previous shoulder injuries, surgeries, or other concerns. He will also perform a physical exam to determine the patient’s range of motion and further evaluate their shoulder. Dr. Lamplot may also request additional diagnostic imaging such as an MRI scan to rule out other injuries that may mimic a frozen shoulder.

How is a frozen shoulder treated?

Typically, a frozen shoulder will get better on its own over time, but without treatment this may take over one year. Typically, Dr. Lamplot recommends a steroid (cortisone) injection with or without a hydrodilation procedure to quickly improve pain and range of motion. After this in-office procedure, Dr. Lamplot may recommend that the patient perform daily stretches and physical therapy to help increase the range of motion of the shoulder. He may also recommend that patients use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to help with pain, as well as rest the shoulder to help it to heal. Exercises involving weights, or heavy lifting should be avoided while a patient is recovering from a frozen shoulder because the excess weight can make a frozen shoulder worse and extend a patient’s recovery time.

Will I have to have surgery to fix my frozen shoulder?

For this condition, Dr. Lamplot prefers to first try nonsurgical methods to alleviate the symptoms. However, if non-surgical treatments fail to cause improvement in the patient’s range of motion or pain, he may recommend surgical treatment. This may include a minimally invasive procedure to stretch and release the built-up scar tissue in the shoulder. This procedure allows Dr. Lamplot to manually manipulate the shoulder joint to return range of motion and alleviate symptoms.