Frozen Shoulder
A condition that troubles many people in middle age; patient numbers rose 13.5% in eight years.
The capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and scars from inflammation. Pain comes with limited movement, clicking, inability to raise the arm overhead, and night pain that disturbs sleep.
Stages
Signs to watch for
- Severe pain across the shoulder, even from a light touch
- Pain spreading to the arm and hand; hard to raise and lower the arm
- Night pain disturbing sleep
- Stiffness and pain that come and go
- The shoulder is hard to move even when someone else lifts it
How we diagnose
X-ray
The basic first test. Further tests may be added for a definite diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Examines the joint while it moves, so problems that appear only in certain positions can be found. Inflamed areas can be treated with guided injections at the same time.
How we treat it
Early treatment matters. Even if pain eases on its own, leaving it without proper treatment can bring pain back and make movement limits worse and harder to treat.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Used across orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine, shockwave therapy aids recovery without surgery or painkillers and suits many conditions that cause acute or chronic pain.
Prolotherapy
Under live ultrasound guidance, a growth-promoting solution is injected into weakened ligaments and tendons. The controlled healing response it triggers promotes self-repair and strengthens the tissue.
Arthroscopy
Through a minimal incision under about 5 mm, an arthroscope with a tiny camera and special instruments is inserted into the joint. It shows areas that are hard to see on X-ray, allowing accurate diagnosis and treatment at the same time.
When surgery is consideredIf there is no improvement with non-surgical treatment, or it becomes chronic, surgery is performed.