Frozen Shoulder also called Adhesive Capsulitis of shoulder joint is painful stiffness limiting range of motion of shoulder joint caused due to inflammation related pathophysiology in capsule of shoulder joint.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF FROZEN SHOULDER

CAUSE OF FROZEN SHOULDER

Exact cause of Frozen Shoulder remains unclear but there are many factors that increases the risk and lead to frozen shoulder

RISK FACTORS FOR FROZEN SHOULDER

GENDER

Frozen shoulder is more common in females than in males

AGE

Person above 40yrs of age are more prone to this condition

INJURIES

• Injury to shoulder joint involving any of its companent especially gleno-humeral joint capsule or rotator cuff.
• Sports persons typically develop calcifications of tendons around shoulder joint and also in joint structures due to repeated injury and result of prolonged inflamation such persons are at high risk of developing frozen shoulder.

REDUCED MOBILITY

• Injuries to arm and neck may indirectly affect shoulder joint, due lack of motion in general of that region as a whole and changes pattern of gait and movements of that region.
• Immobility or reduced mobility post surgerr with general debility and delayed recovery.
• Immobility post stroke.

MUSCULO-SKELETAL DEFECTS

• Certain congenital structural anomaly of Musculoskeletal framework which has influence on movement, gait and weight distribution pattern on shoulder joint in abnormal pattern, which may put the person at risk of develooing Frozen Shoulder.
• Kyphosis or Scoliosis or other congenital or acquired spinal anomaly especially those above thoracic spinal level may increase risk of frozen shoulder.
• Patients with cervical spondylosis are at risk of developing frozen shoulder.

RHUEMATIC DISORDERS

OTHER SYSTEMIC DISEASES

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Ankylosing Spondylosis
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Gout
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Tonic Seizures in epileptic patients or in Parkinsonism
• Thyroid Disorders like Hyper or Hypothyroidism

SYMPTOMS OF FROZEN SHOULDER

• Pain in affected shoulder aggravates on movement
• Loss of rang in motion of affected shoulder joint

Frozen Shoulder is divided into 3 stages

1) Freezing Stage

In Freezing Stage there is pain in joint which aggravates on motion and he range of motion gradually starts decreasing.

2) Frozen Stage

In Frozen Stage the pain is not much as compared to freezing stage but the range of motion is completely diminished so much so that patient can barely move the joint or cant move at all.

3) Thawing Stage

In Thawing Stage pain subsides and range of motion gradually starts improving and complete recovery is established in few weeks.

If it is acted upon quickly in freezing stage with intervention of physiotherapy and proper medication the progress of the disease is arrested and soon resolves completely.

DIAGNOSIS OF FROZEN SHOULDER

On clinical presentation of symptoms of the patient frozen shoulder can be diagnosed and radiological tests like X-rays, CT scan and MRI may be suggested inrequired cases to find out extent, severity of pathological condition within and also to rule out any other pathological condition within or around shoulder joint.

If along with shoulder joint if there are other joints involved simultaneously or frequently different joints in past then it becomes necessary to rule out other underlying systemic conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis,  Gout, Ankylosing Spondylosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus etc and for that your doctor may suggest blood tests like RA factor, ESR, CRP, ANA, S.uric acid and HLA B27 (where there is severe spinal involvement along with shoulder). Vitamin D should also be checked wether its in optimal range for better recovery.

TREATMENT OF FROZEN SHOULDER

Treatment of frozen shoulder is based on combination of both Physiotherapy and Medicines.

Physiotherapy plays a major role in cases of frozen shoulder. Physiotherapist takes support of certain modalities, recomends certain exercises and manual physical intervention where in he may exert mild force or pressure along and within the axis of movement of shoulder joint and try to open up the freezed shoulder and gradually retain its laxity and mobility.

Pain may temporarily increase during and  after physical intenvention but with regular recomended exercise and medicines it finally subsides and joint regains its complete range of axis of movement subsequently.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR FROZEN SHOULDER

If the frozen shoulder is without any underlying condition specific medicines will work well but if it is secondary to some underlying condition like autoimmune diseases or metabolic disorders or Infections or some other systemic or acute or chronic complaints then constitutional trearment along with initial acute specific remedy may be required.

List of Common Homeopathic Remedies Used in Frozen shoulder

• Calcarea Flourica
• Silicea
• Calcarea Phosphorica
• Thiosinaminum
• Rhus Toxicodendron
• Bryonia Alba
• Arnica Montana
• Plantago Major
• Belladonna
• Ledum Palusture