Frozen shoulder is a condition that affects the shoulder joint.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that causes the shoulder to lose mobility and stability. It can be caused by trauma, surgery, infection, or inflammation of the rotator cuff muscles. The pain and discomfort associated with frozen shoulder can last from weeks to months. It is also a cause of disability for many people who have it.
Frozen shoulder has three stages:
- Acute stage, which is characterized by sudden onset of pain in the shoulder
- Subacute stage, which lasts between 3-6 months
- Chronic stage, which lasts over 6 months or longer. It usually takes several years for a patient to recover from frozen shoulder.
How can our physiotherapist help with frozen shoulder?
Our physiotherapists are trained in different areas such as manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy and sports rehabilitation. They may give you frozen shoulder treatments depending on the severity of your symptoms and their location such as:
- Stretching and strengthening exercise
- Heat and cold therapy
- Electrical stimulation
After the first treatment session, you are encouraged to speak with your physiotherapist about the latest evidence-based treatments that you can try at home in order to minimize your risk of complications or re-injury.