| Shoulder pain comes in many forms, among them is | | | | many cases of this condition occur following a |
| Adhesive Capsulitis, commonly known as frozen | | | | shoulder injury, shoulder surgery or arthritis. Poor |
| shoulder, a problem that causes the shoulder joint | | | | posture is also a cause of frozen shoulder, causing the |
| capsule to stiffen and causes a loss of movement | | | | ligaments that surround the shoulder joint to shorten |
| throughout the shoulder joint. This condition is often | | | | and cause stiffness in the joint. Others believe that |
| confused with shoulder tendinitis or a rotator cuff injury, | | | | conditions like diabetes and hyperthyroidism can cause |
| but it's different because it affects the joint capsule | | | | or at least contribute to stiffness in the shoulder. |
| rather than the tendons and muscles of the joint. To | | | | Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder |
| understand this concept better, it might help to look at | | | | You might not know what causes frozen shoulder, but |
| the anatomy of the shoulder joint. | | | | you definitely know when you have it because of the |
| Shoulder Joint Anatomy | | | | extreme stiffness and shoulder pain you'll feel in the |
| This particular joint is intricate and complex area of the | | | | joint. The pain is usually more like a constant aching |
| body. While the shoulder is one of the most amazingly | | | | and the stiffness prevents the joint from performing its |
| versatile parts of the body, it is also among the most | | | | full range of motion. In a typical case, you won't be able |
| fragile. With the number of tendons, bones and | | | | to lift your arm above your head or rotate your |
| muscles involved with each movement, it's easy for | | | | shoulder at all. There are generally three stages |
| something to go wrong. The shoulder joint also has a | | | | involved with the condition: |
| large range of motion, but that means that it lacks the | | | | Stage One |
| stability that other joints have. This makes it more | | | | This is known as the "freezing phase." The shoulder |
| susceptible to injury resulting in shoulder pain. | | | | begins to have mild pain and stiffness. It can last for a |
| Three Bones in the Shoulder | | | | few weeks or several months. |
| - Scapula (shoulder blade) | | | | Stage Two |
| - Humerus (upper arm bone) | | | | Known as the "frozen phase," this stage sees the pain |
| - Clavicle (collarbone) | | | | decline while the stiffness remains. This stage can last |
| Four Muscles in the Shoulder | | | | up to a year. |
| - Supraspinatus | | | | Stage Three |
| - Infraspinatus | | | | This "thawing phase" allows the shoulder joint to regain |
| - Teres Minor | | | | its full range of motion, but it could take up to a few |
| - Subscapularis | | | | months to fully recover. |
| When we talk about frozen shoulder, we are talking | | | | Most cases of frozen shoulder clear up between four |
| about the point at which the humerus fits into the | | | | to six months after onset, but some extreme cases |
| shoulder socket. The surrounding ligaments and | | | | have been known to last a few years. Proper |
| capsule becomes inflamed and causes limited motion | | | | precautions and exercises can reduce your risk of |
| in the area and a great deal of shoulder pain. | | | | getting this condition and any other type of shoulder |
| Causes of Frozen Shoulder | | | | pain. |
| Although the cause of frozen shoulder is a mystery, | | | | |