Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It is a condition in which stiffness and pain occurs in your shoulder joint. The signs and symptoms begin gradually, that gets worse with time and resolve within one to three years.
In the case of stroke and mastectomy, the risk of developing frozen shoulder increases as a person is unable to move his/her arm.
In human body, anatomy of shoulder includes ball-and-socket joint that is formed of three bones. These bones are humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). This ball-and-socket joint is surrounded by strong connective tissue known as shoulder capsule. When this shoulder capsule thickens, becomes stiff and tight it leads to a condition known as frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder develops slowly in three stages. Each stage can last for a couple of months.
The exact cause for Frozen Shoulder is unknown.
In Frozen Shoulder the capsule becomes so thick and tight that it's unable to move. Synovial fluid is less which keeps joint lubricated as well as bands of scar tissue are formed. The movement is restricted due to these factors.
Common risk factors for frozen shoulder are:
Being over 40 years of age is a risk factor both in men and women.
Women is affected more. More than 70% of people with frozen shoulder are women.
Surgery or an arm fracture can lead to immobility which causes stiffness of shoulder during its recovery.
10 to 20% of people with diabetes develop frozen shoulder, and symptoms may be more severe. The reasons are unclear.
To diagnose frozen shoulder, a physical examination is done by a doctor. One will check how badly it hurts and how far it can move. During the "active" part of the exam, one will move their shoulder on your own. During the "passive" portion, a doctor will move it for you, and the difference is noted.
Diagnosis is made on a range of motion. A physical examination is enough to diagnose frozen shoulder, but your doctor may also order imaging tests such as X-rays, USG, or MRI to rule out other problems like arthritis or a torn rotator cuff that is also painful condition and limit how far it moved.
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