The four stages of frozen shoulder include pre-freezing, freezing, frozen, and thawing.
These terms describe the typical progression of the condition from early symptoms to recovery.
A frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a very common cause ofshoulder pain.
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Frozen shoulder can take a long time to heal, anywhere from six months to 2 years.
It also discusses the prognosis for someone who has frozen shoulder.
You may also find that you have reduced mobility in that shoulder.
It may ache even when you are not using it.
What is the root cause of frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder happens when there is inflammation in the tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint.
During this phase, the shoulder capsule is inflamed and can become thickened and stiff.
As this happens, shoulder movements become increasingly difficult and painful.
During this phase, the shoulder is notably stiff.
This helps distinguish between frozen shoulder and a rotator cuff injury.
Anti-inflammatory medications,ice and heat system, and alternative therapies can all be helpful in managing the discomfort.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend a corticosteroid injection to help reduce inflammation.
This can help reduce pain and improve mobility quicker.
Surgery can be an option for treating a frozen shoulder, but it is seldom needed.
It is usually only considered if prolonged efforts at therapy have failed to improve symptoms.
Prognosis
The timeline for recovery from a frozen shoulder can be long and frustrating.
Physicaltherapy can be beneficial, and your healthcare provider can suggest treatments to help alleviate pain while you recover.
Summary
Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes severe pain and limited mobility in the shoulder.
It progresses through four stages and can take up to two years to completely resolve.
Recovering from a frozen shoulder is a long process, typically requiring ongoing physical therapy.
Surgery may be considered if physical therapy doesn’t seem to be helping, but this is uncommon.
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