| There is a very common, yet little heard of, problem in | | | | inflammation increases to the point that the patient will |
| the shoulder called frozen shoulder (adhesive | | | | be unable to move the arm. The stiffness and pain will |
| capsulitis). Sometimes called bursitis or tendonitis, the | | | | have increased to the point that the shoulder actually |
| capsule of the shoulder becomes inflamed, resulting in | | | | becomes stuck or "frozen". |
| a loss of motion and pain and stiffness. | | | | Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that |
| The causes of frozen shoulder are not known and no | | | | is termed by physicians as self-limiting. Self-limiting |
| other joints in the body are known to be affected by | | | | means that it will run its course and then clear up on its |
| this condition. | | | | own. For this reason, most doctors do not try to treat |
| There are three different stages to each occurrence | | | | it with any kind of medicine. The recommended |
| of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). | | | | treatment is usually limited to stretching exercises, heat, |
| The first phase is called the "freezing phase". This is | | | | ice, and ibuprofen. These treatments are not a cure, |
| the time when stiffness first appears in the shoulder | | | | they just work to reduce the symptoms and speed up |
| and the patient will notice more and more pain in the | | | | the recovery. |
| shoulder. | | | | If the pain and stiffness has persisted for a long time |
| The process is reversed during the last phase of | | | | and the patient has felt no frozen shoulder relief, a |
| frozen shoulder. The pain and stiffness will gradually | | | | physician will occasionally recommend surgery. This is, |
| subside and the patient will find that their range of | | | | however, a last resort because there is some danger |
| motion will begin to return to normal. This stage in the | | | | in the surgery. Because the joint is "stuck", it is possible |
| condition is called the "thawing" phase. | | | | to tear muscles when forcibly "unsticking" it. Such tears |
| At the peak or worst part of the condition, the | | | | may result in a more serious and permanent injury. |