What is Frozen Shoulder? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Methods

Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by serious limitation in joint movements and associated pain, developing as a result of the shoulder joint not being moved for a while due to various reasons. Also known as “Frozen Shoulder” in medicine, this condition can significantly complicate daily life.

What Are the Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?

• Marked limitation in shoulder movements
• Inability to open the arm sideways
• Inability to raise the arm forward
• Difficulty combing hair
• Inability to bring the hand to the back area
• Inability to take objects from a high place
• Shoulder pain that increases especially at night

Initially, mostly due to pain, the patient does not move the shoulder joint for a while. Afterwards, in the joint, which is largely formed by soft tissue, the joint capsule and other surrounding soft tissues lose their elasticity. As a result, joint movements become highly restricted. Depending on this, pain occurs especially at night. These symptoms can seriously complicate daily life activities.

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What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

Many different factors can play a role in the formation of frozen shoulder. Sometimes even minor strains that the patient will not notice can start the process.

• Especially diabetes (sugar) disease is a very frequently encountered cause.

Frozen shoulder can also develop in cases where the movement of the shoulder joint is intentionally restricted, such as inflammatory rheumatisms, sports injuries, and fractures.

How Is Frozen Shoulder Treated?

Frozen shoulder is a condition that mostly progresses silently and is noticed late. Therefore, the treatment process can be more laborious compared to the early period.

The basis of the treatment is formed by a planned and conscious exercise program applied by bringing the pain under control. In order to reduce pain; cold and hot applications, electrotherapy methods, and medication treatment in necessary cases are used.

After the pain decreases, the patient starts exercises aimed at moving the shoulder joint under the guidance of the therapist. In this process, challenging exercises can also be applied in a controlled manner to increase the joint range of motion.

The Importance of Physical Therapy in Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a disease where generally quite successful results can be obtained with physical therapy. Thanks to appropriately planned treatment and exercise programs, significant improvement can be achieved within a few weeks.

However, patients may notice the situation late if their pain is not very severe or if they do not actively use their shoulders in daily life. This extends the treatment process. The later physical therapy is started, the more difficult and longer it becomes to eliminate joint limitation and reduce pain.

Although frozen shoulder seems like a simple pain initially, it can lead to serious movement limitation over time. For this reason, it carries great importance that individuals experiencing shoulder pain and movement limitation do not neglect the situation, and that evaluation and treatment are started in the early period.