Preventing Frozen Shoulder

03 Jun Preventing Frozen Shoulder

Orthopedist in Nassau County

If you have unexplained shoulder pain that has been gradually getting worse, then you may be experiencing frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects your shoulder joint, causing pain and stiffness. It is caused by the thickening and tightening of the shoulder capsule, the tissue that surrounds your shoulder joint. Scar tissue forms over time, limiting your body’s natural production of synovial fluid used for joint lubrication. This causes limited motion and stiffness which can disrupt everyday activities that involve shoulder movement. An orthopedist in Nassau County at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation can provide you with the right treatment plan based on the cause of your frozen shoulder as well as your bodily condition.

Causes

The direct cause of frozen shoulder is still not fully known however there may be contributing factors that put you at risk for frozen shoulder. These factors include:

• Injury or overuse
• Diabetes
• Other diseases such as Parkinson’s, thyroid or heart disease

Whatever the cause or stage, our orthopedist in Nassau County can treat your frozen shoulder.

Stages

Frozen shoulder is classified into three stages which typically occur over a 2-3 year timeframe.

Stage 1: Freezing

This stage begins with acute pain that increases gradually. Shoulder motion is hindered and pain is usually worse at night. This stage can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

Stage 2: Frozen

At this stage, your pain does not worsen and may even decrease. There is still, however, limited movement and your shoulder will feel stiff. This can last from four to six months.

Stage 3: Thawing

At the final stage, you should experience easier movement and reduced pain. This stage can last between six months to two years.

Whichever stage you are at, you should not have to suffer! At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, our orthopedist in Nassau County can make sure you get the right care to help relieve pain.

Treatment

There are many treatment options depending on your pain level. Our orthopedist in Nassau County, Dr. Stanislav Avshalumov, will work with you to come up with a personalized treatment plan to help you rehabilitate efficiently and effectively. Treatment options include:

• Corticosteroid injection – This process involves injecting a corticosteroid into the affected area to reduce pain and improve range of motion.
• Platelet-rich plasma – An orthopedist would inject concentrated platelets into the shoulder joint region to help expedite the body’s natural healing process.
• Joint distension – Your doctor would inject sterile water into the shoulder joint in order to stretch your shoulder capsule helping to loosen shoulder adhesions.
• Strengthening and stretching exercises – Exercises can help restore motion.
• Over-the-counter pain medication – Pain medication can provide short-term relief when painful moments arise.
• Surgery – If your frozen shoulder is severe, an orthopedist may recommend surgery. The main goal of surgery is to manually break adhesions and increase shoulder mobility. One type of surgery used, shoulder arthroscopy, involves making tiny cuts into your shoulder and inserting an arthroscope into your joint to repair it.

Whether your frozen shoulder is mild or severe, Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation can provide a treatment option for you. Our orthopedist in Nassau County offers many services including arthroscopic surgery and injection therapy in order to make sure you receive quality care.  Make an appointment with us today to learn more!