Frozen shoulder or the pain and inflammation experienced in the shoulder joints restricting the free mobility of arms is an age related disorder.
Overstressing the shoulder joint muscles due to a prolonged physical activity like free stroke swimming can also give rise to frozen shoulders. Wear and tear of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joints and drying of the fluids leads to this painful disorder.
In a frozen shoulder the shoulder girdle will be stiff because of which free movement of the joint becomes impossible. In medical terms, it is called Adhesive Capsulitis of shoulder joint.
It may happen after an injury or overuse or from a disease such as diabetes or a stroke.
The incidence of such a pain even though not so age specific, younger age group is prone for this complaint. But in few individuals it is momentary and lasts only for few months.
In Ayurveda, this condition is correlated to Apabahuka.
Causes of Frozen Shoulder
- The thickening and tightening of shoulder joint capsule can be due to following reasons:
- after effect of injury (usually after certain period of injury – chronic)
- Overuse of the joints (in porters, drivers, weight lifters etc.)
- Diseases like diabetes, stroke etc
- Secondary to degenerative disorders, as in chronic rheumatoid arthritis, cervical Spondylosis (neck disc displacement) etc
- Due to the above said factors, the tissues around the shoulder joint are stiffened. In turn, the scar tissue is developed around the structure of the joints. This causes the restriction of the movements to the shoulder joint. On moving pain is felt. Thus the patient feels difficulty.
- Risk factors
- 40 year old and older, particularly women.
- People with prolonged immobility or reduced mobility due to Rotator cuff injury, fractured arm, stroke, after a surgery etc.
- People who have certain diseases appear more likely to develop frozen shoulder. Diseases that might increase risk include Diabetes, hyper active thyroid, underactive thyroid, heart disorders, TB etc.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
Side effects regularly meddle with ordinary errands, for example driving, dressing, or dozing. Indeed, scratching
your back, or putting your hand in a back pocket, might get outlandish. Torment from solidified shoulder is normally dull or
throbbing. It is ordinarily more regrettable promptly in the process of the malady and when you move your arm. The pain is for
the most part spotted over the external shoulder region and in some cases the upper arm. The normal indications are torment,
firmness, and constraint in the extent of development of a shoulder.
- Pain when attempting to consider the influenced shoulder
- Diminished movement of the shoulder
- Shoulder; as a rule a dull, hurting agony
- Restricted development of the shoulder
- Stiffness
- Challenge with exercises, for example brushing hair, putting on shirts
Stages of Frozen Shoulder
- Painful/Freezing Stage – This can be the foremost painful stage of a frozen shoulder. Motion is restricted, however the shoulder isn't as stiff because the frozen stage. This painful stage generally lasts 6-12 weeks.
- Frozen Stage – Thoroughout the frozen stage, the pain sometimes eases up, however the stiffness worsens. The frozen stage will last 4-6 months.
- Thawing Stage –The thawing stage is gradual, and motion steady improves over a extended amount of your time. The thawing stage will last quite a year.