Reduce the pain of Frozen Shoulder.

• According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disorder characterized by pain and loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder. It affects about two percent of the general population. It is more common in women between the ages of 40 years to 70 years old. The causes of frozen shoulder are not fully understood. The process involves thickening and contracture of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. A doctor can diagnose frozen shoulder based on the history of the patient's symptoms and physical examination. X-rays or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies are sometimes used to rule out other causes of shoulder stiffness and pain, such as rotator cuff tear”.

• Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that affects the shoulder and prevents movement. Any movement is very painful. Frozen shoulder is often accompanied with bursitis and arthritis.

• Since you are here, you probably already know what frozen shoulder is, and probably suffer from it yourself. You know how debilitating this disorder is. So, let’s get right to how you can reduce your pain from frozen shoulder.

• If you have not been properly diagnosed with frozen shoulder you will need to make an appointment with your doctor. Only a qualified medical professional can give you a proper diagnosis. If you have or know children with arthritis or any disease make sure that they get a proper diagnosis before starting on any treatment program for pain relief. You must get a proper diagnosis and let your doctor make sure that you do not have any other injuries that need to be treated.

• Fortunately, frozen shoulder will usually get better in time. This is not something you have to live with for the rest of your life. While that can be a relief, you are probably in quite a bit of pain and discomfort right now. It can actually take anywhere from a few days to even three years for frozen shoulder to go away. Waiting three years for frozen shoulder to go away is pretty rare, but it is possible. You will most likely find yourself free from frozen shoulder in a much shorter amount of time.

• Because frozen shoulder makes it so you basically lose any movement in your shoulder and it is very painful, these are the two things that a treatment program will focus on. You need to reduce your pain levels in your shoulder and you need to get your shoulder moving again. First, to reduce your pain you should be taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications your doctor might prescribe for you. Make sure you take this medication with food as it can cause stomach upset. Taking it with food can help you to avoid this problem.

• Your doctor may also want to give you a medication via an injection. These are usually corticosteriods that will help reduce your pain for a good period of time. The injections will often work faster and better for your pain than any anti-inflammation medication taken orally.

• Besides medication, your treatment program must also include a physical therapy program. Even though this disorder, properly named frozen shoulder, causes you to lose movement in your shoulder, you need to do regular stretches and exercises in a therapy program that is tailored for you, your needs, and the condition of your shoulder. This will either be done at a therapy program’s location, or you will be allowed to take some print outs home from your doctor so you can perform the stretches and exercises in the convenience and privacy of your own home.

• Nearly all people who have suffered from frozen shoulder get better with these methods over time. There is a small percentage of people who don’t get better. They might get a little better but they are still unable to move their shoulder and are still in pain.

• If none of these treatment techniques work for you, or your frozen shoulder condition does not seem to be getting any better with time your doctor may advise surgery to help relieve your pain and help you to regain movement of your shoulder.

• One option is to get a nerve block. This will help to relieve most, if not all of the pain and allow you to do some more aggressive therapy to get your shoulder moving. This will help most people with frozen shoulder when the other methods fail.

• There are also some surgeries that can help if even a nerve block does not work for you. One of them is manipulation of your shoulder joint while you are under anesthesia. You will be asleep while the surgeon tries to force your shoulder to move.

• Another is called shoulder arthroscopy. You will also be put under anesthesia to have this surgery performed. The surgeon will make small cuts around your shoulder, put in a camera through a cut, and use the other cuts to get surgical instruments to your shoulder joint. The surgeon will then cut through the tight parts of your shoulder joint. Many surgeons use both manipulation and cutting to get you the best results possible.

• You will need time to recover from these surgeries just as you would any other surgery. You will also need to perform physical therapy on your shoulder on a regular basis once you are given the go ahead by your doctor. Although recovery time does vary, it would take you about six weeks to three months. That means that you would have to take work off and avoid any heavy lifting and such for at least three months. The great thing is that most people who go through this surgery have great results.

• You have options to help you with your frozen shoulder. You are not alone. You must get the help you need in relieving your pain and getting back your shoulder movement. You deserve it.

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