Frozen shoulder is a common condition that affects many people. In the medical world frozen shoulder is known as adhesive capsulitis. The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are both pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It is quite common for a person to be suffering from this condition in one shoulder but not the other.
There is one stage of this condition that you should be most concerned with; this is called the frozen stage. It is during this time that you will notice the decreased range of motion in the affected shoulder. For most people this is when it is necessary to see a doctor.
Unfortunately, doctors do not know the exact cause of frozen shoulder. Most commonly, frozen shoulder occurs in people who have not used the joint for an extended period of time. This is common among people who have had surgery or a broken bone in the arm. But with that being said, frozen shoulder can happen for many other unexplained reasons as well.
Frozen shoulder is a result of the shoulder capsule becoming inflamed for one reason or the next. In turn, tissue can build up between the surface of the joints and this can lead to extreme pain and lost range of motion. In the most severe cases frozen shoulder can affect movement so much that even day to day tasks are seemingly impossible.
If you feel that you may be suffering from frozen shoulder you will want to consult with your doctor right away. They will be able to give you the proper diagnose, and then provide you with the necessary level of treatment. The most common treatment methods include anti-inflammatory drugs, heat or cold compresses, shoulder manipulation, and in the most severe cases surgery.
Frozen shoulder can be quite bothersome regardless of the level of activity that you take part in. Luckily, there are plenty of treatment options that you can consider if your frozen shoulder has gotten too far out of control. Remember, your best bet is to consult with a doctor in order to get the proper diagnosis.