Also called adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder can significantly impact your quality of life, making everyday tasks like getting dressed or reaching for something overhead a real challenge. At Sano Specialty Care, we specialize in helping patients with frozen shoulder regain their range of motion and get back to living their lives to the fullest.

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule surrounding your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, limiting its movement. 

Facts on Frozen Shoulder

• It most commonly occurs in people between 40-60 years old
• Women are more likely to develop frozen shoulder than men
• People with diabetes have a 10-20% increased risk of developing frozen shoulder

The exact cause isn’t always clear, but frozen shoulder is often linked to:

• Injury: A previous shoulder injury or surgery can increase your risk
• Immobility: Keeping your arm immobile for long periods (e.g., after a fracture or stroke) can contribute
• Underlying conditions: Diabetes, thyroid problems, and heart disease are sometimes associated with frozen shoulder

Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint

Knowing the basic anatomy and what’s happening within the shoulder joint can help one better understand a frozen shoulder. 

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones:

• Humerus (upper arm bone)
  
• Scapula (shoulder blade)
  
• Clavicle (collarbone)

The head of the humerus fits into a shallow socket in the scapula called the glenoid cavity. A connective tissue called the shoulder capsule surrounds the joint. The synovial fluid inside the capsule lubricates the joint, allowing smooth movement.

In frozen shoulder, the capsule becomes inflamed and thickens, tightening around the joint. This restricts the normal gliding motion between the humeral head and the glenoid cavity. As the capsule contracts, it can form adhesions, further limiting movement. The synovial fluid may also decrease, reducing lubrication in the joint.

These changes to the shoulder anatomy result in the characteristic pain and stiffness of frozen shoulder. The tightened capsule limits the range of motion in all directions, particularly external rotation and abduction of the arm. 

Understanding this process helps explain why treatments focus on stretching the capsule and reducing inflammation to restore normal shoulder mechanics.

The Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages:

• Freezing: Pain gradually worsens, and your shoulder’s range of motion decreases
• Frozen: Pain may lessen, but your shoulder remains stiff and difficult to move
• Thawing: The range of motion slowly improves

Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

At Sano, our team of experienced orthopedic specialists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment options may include:

• Physical therapy: Targeted exercises can help improve flexibility and range of motion
• Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage discomfort
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections into the shoulder joint can help reduce inflammation and pain
• Joint distension: This procedure involves injecting fluid into the joint capsule to stretch it and improve the range of motion
• Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to loosen the tightened capsule

Recovery Timeline and Prognosis for Frozen Shoulder

While frozen shoulder can be frustrating, it’s important to maintain a realistic outlook on recovery:

• The journey to full recovery typically spans 1-3 years. 
• Most patients regain 90-95% of their shoulder function. 
• Each stage (freezing, frozen, and thawing) can last several months. 
• Patience and consistent treatment are key to improvement. 
• Recurrence is rare, occurring in only 5-10% of cases. However, diabetics have a slightly higher risk of recurrence.

Remember, everyone’s recovery is unique. While the process may be lengthy, most people return to normal activities with proper treatment and time. Stay positive and work closely with an orthopedic specialist to ensure a fast recovery. 

Don’t Let Frozen Shoulder Freeze Your Life

If you’re struggling with shoulder pain and stiffness, don’t wait. Contact Sano Specialty Care today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you understand your options and develop a plan to get you back to doing the things you love.