Frozen Shoulder

Frozen Shoulder

What Is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in shoulder joint. Over time, the shoulder becomes very hard to move.

Frozen shoulder most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and occurs in women more often than men. In addition, people with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing frozen shoulder. 

 

Causes of Frozen Shoulder

The causes of frozen shoulder are not fully understood. There is no clear connection to arm dominance or occupation. A few factors may put you more at risk for developing frozen shoulder.

  1. Frozen shoulder occurs much more often in people with diabetes. The reason for this is not known. In addition, diabetic patients with frozen shoulder tend to have a greater degree of stiffness that continues for a longer time before “thawing.”
  2. Other diseases. Some additional medical problems associated with frozen shoulder include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiac disease.
  3. Frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder has been immobilized for a period of time due to surgery, a fracture, or other injury. Having patients move their shoulders soon after injury or surgery is one measure prescribed to prevent frozen shoulder.

 

 

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Pain from frozen shoulder is usually dull or aching. It is typically worse early in the course of the disease and when you move your arm. The pain is usually located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm.

Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly, and in three stages. Each stage can last a number of months.

  • Freezing stage. Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and your shoulder’s range of motion starts to become limited. Freezing typically lasts from 6 weeks to 9 months.
  • Frozen stage. Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, your shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes more difficult. During the 4 to 6 months of the “frozen” stage, daily activities may be very difficult.
  • Thawing stage.Shoulder motion slowly improves during the “thawing” stage. Complete return to normal or close to normal strength and motion typically takes from 6 months to 2 years.

Diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder

Physical Examination-After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will examine your shoulder.

Your doctor will move your shoulder carefully in all directions to see if movement is limited and if pain occurs with the motion. The range of motion when someone else moves your shoulder is called “passive range of motion.” Your doctor will compare this to the range of motion you display when you move your shoulder on your own (“active range of motion”). People with frozen shoulder have limited range of motion both actively and passively.

Imaging Tests-Other tests that may help your doctor rule out other causes of stiffness and pain include:

  1. X-rays. Dense structures, such as bone, show up clearly on x-rays. X-rays may show other problems in your shoulder, such as arthritis.
  2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. These studies can create better images of soft tissues. They are not required to diagnose frozen shoulder; however, they may help to identify other problems in your shoulder, such as a torn rotator cuff.

 

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT-

Homeopathic medicines provide symptomatic relief in Frozen Shoulder. The medicines are selected basis the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using Homoeopathic holistic approach.

Following remedies are highly effective in the treatment of Frozen Shoulder:

  1. FERRUM METALLICUM
  • Pain and stiffness in the shoulders along with swelling are predominant.
  • Unable to raise arms as if no power left for any movement.
  • Violent pain in the shoulder and muscles on both sides of the shoulder that travels along the arm.

 

  1. RHUS TOXICODENDRON
  • Frozen shoulder with pain and stiffness in between shoulders.
  • Pain is relieved by moving or even when patient lies on a hard platform.
  • Stiffness in the base of the neck.
  • The forearm and arm of the patient also have pain and they feel weak and paralyzed.  

 

  1. RUTA GRAVEOLENS
  • Frozen shoulder due to tendon strain and sprains.
  • Pain in the neck that is relieved by lying on the back as it applies pressure.
  • Pain is so violent as if shoulder is getting torn.
  • Frozen shoulder after injury or after bruises.

 

  1. CAUSTICUM
  • Pain especially in the left shoulder occurs with numbness.
  • Contracted tendons with tearing in the shoulder joints and weakness. Better by warmth, especially of bed.

 

 

  1. CALCAREA PHOSPHORICUM
  • Frozen shoulder when there is pain in shoulder and arm, with swelling of the affected part.
  • There is ulcerative pain especially in roots of finger nails of right hand and in middle finger.