Causes and Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

Staying put in front of a PC for work and play is a common nowadays. However, sitting in one  place that too hunched in front of the computer does little to improve our health. On the  contrary, it affects our health adversely which may often result in excruciatingly painful conditions.  People both young and old may find their shoulders becoming numb with each movement causing intense pain to shoot up along the entire length of the arm. The condition may aggravate resulting in your upper limbs going limp if no action is taken soon. This  is known as adhesive capsulitis commonly known as a ‘frozen shoulder’.

Causes- The capsule of the shoulder blade becomes stiff and creates pressure on the shoulder bone. The shoulder joint loses flexibility and the pain slowly increases in intensity lasting for an inordinately long period of time. This mostly happens due to the compression of the nerves supplying the shoulder area as well.

Although the condition was not seen in people below the age of 40 previously, the disease has now become common in many a young executive bound to their desk for long hours every day.

Symptoms- Restriction of movement specially in the shoulder region. The pain worsens progressively and becomes almost constant with the intensity increasing during the night. Sudden spikes of pain may shoot up leaving you exhausted and crippled for the time being.

Treatment- The mode of treatment varies according to the severity of the condition. Physical exercises which aim at slowly reviving the movement may be advised initially. Massages as well as pain killing drugs may help to alleviate the pain considerably as well.

Surgery of  the joint becomes mandatory if the condition does not show signs of abating with time. Injections of saline and cortisone into the joint may help to stretch it adequately providing relief.

The doctor may sometimes try to move the joint under anesthesia by breaking up the adhesions and removing the scar tissues thus restoring the movement and reliving the pain.

Risk Factors- People who suffer from insomnia or chronic fatigue run a risk of developing the condition. Diabetes, stroke, depression are also additional factors which can be considered to be risk factors as well.

Individuals suffering from lung and heart diseases as well as connective tissue disorders are liable to develop frozen shoulders too.