| Frozen shoulder is a debilitating conditions that affects | | | | Third Stage - The 'thawing' stage |
| millions of people around the world. There are three | | | | This is the final and longest stage. Pain is not a problem |
| stages of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and | | | | anymore and stiffness is slowly returning to normal. |
| each stage need to be treated differently. | | | | The duration of this stage is about five to twenty-six |
| First Stage - The 'freezing' stage. | | | | months. Your health practitioner should introduce a full |
| This is a stage where pain is the main problem. The | | | | rehabilitation program for you to perform. This includes |
| goal of this stage is to reduce inflammation and pain. | | | | a weight strengthening program, ball exercises to |
| NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and | | | | improve co-ordination and cardiovascular exercises. |
| the usage of heat packs are a great method in | | | | If there is no improvement in range of motion with |
| controlling pain. Simple range of movement should be | | | | exercises, surgery intervention is required. Manipulation |
| performed to prevent stiffening of the shoulder. | | | | under anesthesia is a common surgical technique |
| Second Stage - The 'frozen' stage | | | | where the patient is put to sleep and the surgeon |
| The patients pain slowly improves but the shoulder | | | | stretching/forcing the joint into range. |
| would gradually become more stiff. This stage usually | | | | Shoulder arthroscopy is another option, the surgeon will |
| lasts between four and nine months. It is important you | | | | make small incision into your shoulder joint and a small |
| perform range of movement and strengthening | | | | camera and instrument is inserted. The instrument is |
| exercises at this stage. | | | | used to remove debris and remove tight ligaments. |