Frozen Shoulder

The shoulder contains a ball and socket joint that requires ligaments and connective tissue to hold it together, called the shoulder joint capsule. These ligaments are attached to the upper arm bone (humerus) and stretch over the joint and attach to the shoulder socket bone (glenoid) to keep the ball inside the socket. If the shoulder joint capsule becomes thickened and inflamed, it can be painful and difficult to use the shoulder. This is called frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis. It is a condition we can help alleviate at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine.

The most common cause of frozen shoulder is limited use over a period of time. If the shoulder or upper arm is immobilized and does not perform routine movements for a few weeks or longer, the shoulder joint capsule can begin to thicken and become stiff. This is common when there is a shoulder problem, arm injury or a health condition where the arm is put in a sling or cast. Once it is time to regain movement, the shoulder may not cooperate. Symptoms of frozen shoulder include:

• Pain and aching in the affected shoulder
• Stiffness in the shoulder joint
• Unable to lift your arms above shoulder level
• Difficulty rotating your arms outward

Frozen shoulder is most common in middle age, between the ages of 40-60. This condition has three stages of symptoms and recovery can last two years or more.

Treatments for Adhesive Capsulitis

The restriction of movement and pain caused by frozen shoulder can be frustrating. It may be difficult to do everyday tasks like getting dressed or retrieving items from a higher shelf. Our team at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine will devise a treatment plan to help speed up recovery and reduce pain while improving mobility. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory injections and other treatments can be combined to help our patients with frozen shoulder regain use of the shoulder joint and enjoy a better quality of life.

If you have symptoms of frozen shoulder, contact Medici Orthopaedics & Spine today to schedule a consultation. We have three clinics in the greater Atlanta area for your convenience.