Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a unique and debilitating shoulder pathology.
Characterised by severe stiffness, pain, and loss of range of motion, patients often report limitations that can persist for up to 3-5 years.
It is estimated that up to 5% of the population may experience frozen shoulder throughout their lifetime, with the incidence increasing significantly in women, people who are overweight, and those who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Frozen shoulder is challenging to treat, with variable outcomes and disease presentation.
The majority of therapeutic and medical interventions for primary frozen shoulder have only been shown to have clinical efficacy when used concurrently with other treatments. Thus, the best overall approach to frozen shoulder is multimodal.
Examples of these treatments include manual therapy, exercise, home stretching routines, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections.
The best treatment approach involves significant involvement from patients including daily home exercise and stretching.
Early intervention is crucial, as the majority of treatments show greater efficacy when applied during the initial stages of frozen shoulder.
Physiotherapists use a combination of clinical judgement, experience, and research in order to apply a variety of treatment modalities including manual therapy, strengthening exercise, range of motion exercises, home stretching programs and upper body ergometers.
In some cases, an intraarticular corticosteroid injection immediately followed by daily stretching, home exercises, and regular exercise and mobilizations with a physiotherapist might be the most effective approach.
If you have experienced shoulder pain, stiffness or a reduction in movement at the joint there is a possibility you may be suffering from a shoulder pathology such as frozen shoulder.
The Coast Sport team is always happy to help, so book an appointment with us today to help you feel well, move well and perform well.
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