Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Symptoms and signs usually appear gradually, worsen over time, and then fade away, usually within one to three years.
Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you're recovering from a medical condition or procedure that prevents you from moving your arms — such as a stroke or a mastectomy.
Frozen shoulder rarely reappears in the same shoulder, however, it might occur in the other shoulder in certain patients.
Symptoms
Frozen shoulder usually develops slowly and in three stages. Each stage can last for several months.
The freezing stage.
Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and your range of motion begins to be limited.
The frozen stage.
During this stage, the pain may begin to subside. However, your shoulder stiffens, and using it becomes more difficult.
The thawing stage.
The range of motion in your shoulder begins to improve.
For some people, the pain worsens at night, sometimes disrupting sleep.
Causes
The bones, ligaments, and tendons that comprise your shoulder joint are encased in a connective tissue capsule. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement.
Doctors aren't sure why this happens to some people, but it's more common in people with diabetes or those who have recently had to immobilize their shoulder for an extended period of time, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.
Risk Factors
Age and sex
Frozen shoulder is more common in people over 40, especially women.
Immobility or diminished mobility
People who have had prolonged immobility or reduced shoulder mobility are more likely to develop frozen shoulders. Immobility can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Injuries to the rotator cuff
Arm fracture
Stroke
Recovery Following Surgery
Diseases of the entire body
Diabetes
Thyroid hyperactivity (hyperthyroidism)
Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism)
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
Tuberculosis
Parkinson's disease.
Prevention
Immobility caused by a shoulder injury, a broken arm, or a stroke is one of the most prevalent causes of frozen shoulder. If you've suffered an injury that makes moving your shoulder difficult, talk to your doctor about exercises you can perform to maintain your shoulder joint's range of motion.
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