FROZEN SHOULDER

If you have diabetes, Parkinson, thyroid, shoulder pain or stiff shoulder then this blog is for you 

• There might be a possibility that you are suffering from frozen shoulder, to know about it 

Frozen shoulder 

• It is also known as adhesive capsulitis
• In frozen shoulder, your shoulder capsule becomes stiff and tight 
• It is a shoulder condition which limits the shoulder joint range of motion 

To know about it, let's focus on shoulder joint anatomy 

ANATOMY 

• The shoulder is a synovial joint of ball and socket variety 
• It is formed by the articulation of the head of the humerus with the glenoid cavity of scapula 
• There is a strong connective tissue known as shoulder capsule which surrounds the joint 
• In between the articulating surfaces, there is a fluid known as synovial fluid is present which lubricates the joint cavity 
• In frozen shoulder, this capsule thickens and becomes stiff and tight 
• Adhesions develop between the articulating surfaces

Frozen shoulder develops in 3 stages 

 

1 Freezing 

2 Frozen 

3 Thawing 

1 Freezing 

• In the freezing stage, your pain gradually increases and becomes worse 
• Your shoulder will start losing its range of motion 
• It lasts from 6 weeks to 9 months 

2 Frozen stage 

• In this stage, your pain will become less but the shoulder stiffness will remain the same 

3 Thawing stage 

• In the thawing stage, your range of motion will get better.
• Your normal strength of the shoulder joint will be back in this stage

CAuses

•  The most common cause of frozen shoulder is idiopathic - it means whose cause is unknown.
• If people have endocrine abnormalities such as diabetes or thyroid they can develop a frozen shoulder
• The second most common cause is immobilization or trauma
• People having neurological disorders such as Parkinson's are also very prone to develop frozen shoulder 
• Cardiac abnormalities such as a coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and other heart diseases can also cause frozen shoulder 

Other risks include 

1 People wearing shoulder slings for too long after surgery or trauma 

2 people who are immobilized because of recent stroke or surgery 

3 people suffering from a thyroid disorder

Physical therapy for frozen shoulder 

 





stretching exercises 
 strengthening exercises 

Stretching exercise

 Pendulum exercise 

• Stand next to a table, 
• Place the healthy arm on the table for support 
• Lean forward slightly make sure your back is straight 
• Swing the affected side in a                                      circle 
• Do 10 repetitions, and then repeat the same movement in the opposite direction for another 10 repetitions 
• After a few weeks, you can add weight in your hand to make it more challenging 

 FINGER LADDER

• Stand in front of a wall about 6 to 8 inches away 
• Your elbow should make a v with the arm 
• Walk with your fingers up the wall  
• Do 5 repetitions 

cross-body stretch 

• People suffering from severe frozen shoulder should avoid this as it can increase your pain
• Those who have moderate and less pain follow this up 
• Relax your both arms on the side of your body 
• Bring the affected arm across your chest 
• Support your affected arm's elbow with another hand 
• Hold this stretch for 15 seconds 

SUPINE FLEXION

• Lay straight on a flat surface 
• Lift the painful arm with the support of another arm 
• Keep reaching until you feel the stretch 
• Hold this position for 15 seconds 

Strengthening exercises

1 Inward rotation 

• This exercise needs a therapeutic band or a rubber band tie it on your door's handle and make a loop 
• Stand on the side of the door with your affected the side facing the door
• Your elbow should make 90 degrees with your shoulder
• Pull the band inward and hold it for 15 seconds 

2 outward rotation

• This exercise needs a therapeutic band hold it in both of your hands and pull it apart 
• Hold that position for 5 seconds

3 scapula squeeze

Start this position with your arms relaxed 

• Squeeze your shoulder blades
• Hold it for 5 seconds  Take rest and repeat for 10 times 

Precautions 

•  always warm your shoulder before performing these exercise through a hot bag or take a warm shower for some time 

If you feel any discomfort after doing these exercises consult to your  doctor 

Have a safe and healthy life 

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