Have you noticed reaching over your head to get into those upper cabinets is getting harder? What about getting dressed pulling a shirt/sweater on and off over your head, are you having to wear button down shirts now?
If you are limiting your range of motion you could be at risk for developing a “frozen shoulder” or adhesive capsulitis.
Often called a stiff or “frozen shoulder,” adhesive capsulitis is the stiffening of the shoulder due to scar tissue, which results in painful movement and loss of motion. Some believe it is caused by inflammation, such as when the
lining of a joint becomes inflamed (synovitis), and some believe it is caused by autoimmune reactions, where the body launches an “attack” against its own substances and tissues.
Other possible causes include:
• Reactions after an injury or surgery
• Pain from other conditions—such as arthritis, a rotator cuff tear, bursitis,
or tendinitis—that has caused you to stop moving your shoulder
• Immobilization of your arm, such as in a sling, after surgery or fracture
Adhesive capsulitis can be broken down into 4 stages, and your physical
therapist can help determine what stage you are in:
- Stage 1 – “Pre-Freezing”: You’ve had pain and loss of motion symptoms for 1 to 3
months, and they’re getting worse. - Stage 2 – “Freezing”: By this stage, you’ve had progressive symptoms for 3 to 9
months, especially at night. - Stage 3 – “Frozen”: Your symptoms have persisted for 9 to 14 months, and you
have greatly decreased range of shoulder movement. - Stage 4 – “Thawing”: You’ve had symptoms for 12 to 15 months, and there is a
big decrease in pain. You still have a limited range of movement, but your ability
to complete your daily activities involving overhead motion is improving at a
rapid rate.
HOW A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN HELP
Your physical therapist’s overall goal is to restore your movement so that you can perform your activities and life roles. Once the evaluation process has identified the stage of your condition, your therapist will create an exercise
program tailored to your needs. Exercise has been found to be most effective for those who are in stage 2 or higher.
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