Frozen Shoulder

Question 1

Definition of Frozen shoulder

Answer 1

-Painful, significant restriction of active and passive motion at the shoulder
~usually in abduction + external rotation

Question 2

Other names for Frozen shoulder

Answer 2

-Adhesive capsulitis
-Capsulitis
-Rotator cuff tendinitis

Question 3

What is Adhesive capsulitis

Answer 3

Inflammation of capsul
Glue/stuck

Question 4

Who is more affected

Answer 4

-Women more than men
-Usually between ages 40-70

Question 5

What’s the 3 stages of Frozen shoulder? which is the worse stage?

Answer 5

1) freezing
2) Frozen (worse)
3) thawing

Question 6

What happens in Frozen shoulder

Answer 6

Adhesions developed within the joint capsul, especially in axillary recess, restricting motion of humerus

Question 7

Causes of Frozen shoulder

Answer 7

-Idiopathic (they don’t know)
-Musculoskeletal trauma/disorder (impingement syndrome)
-Tps in subscapularis
-Postural dysfunctions
-Disuse
-Extrinsic disorders (pulmonary disorders, fructurs of humerus)
-Systemic disorders (diabetes)

Question 8

Medical treatment for Frozen shoulder in the past

Answer 8

-Anogesic/Anti-Inflammatory for pain
-Steroids injected into subacromial space
-Distention or thrography- saline injections- rupture adhesions
-Manipulation under anesthesia + arm is forced through flexion, adduction + rotation

Question 9

Present medical treatment for Frozen shoulder

Answer 9

Early stages of Frozen shoulder- analgesics- passive ROM

Question 10

Symptom picture Frozen shoulder acute stage

Answer 10

-Acute: Freezing, First, Painful stage
-Gradual onset of pain
-Pain severe at night- unable to lay on affected side
-Pain on outer aspect of shoulder + deltoid insertion-> referring down elbow
-Muscle spasms in Rotator cuff muscles
-Inflammation in capsul (excess fluid)
-Stiffness is progressive >2-3 weeks after initial Pain
-Lasts 2-9 months
-Unilateral or bilateral/non-dominant limb usually affected (most common)
-Acute/subacute blend into each other

Question 11

Symptom picture subacute stage Frozen shoulder

Answer 11

-Subacute: Frozen, second, stiffening
-Sever pain begins to decrease
-Pain felt at end of ROM
-atrophy may occure
-4-12months

Question 12

Symptom picture chronic stage Frozen shoulder

Answer 12

-Chronic: thawing, third, resolution
-Pain localized to bilateral part of arm and down
-Can start sleeping through the night
-ROM + function gradually return
-Often resolved in about 2 years
-Can remain symptomatic (flare ups) up to 5-10years

Question 13

Contraindications for Frozen shoulder

Answer 13

-Aggressive stretches and joint play
-Mobilization greater than grades 1 to 3 are CI in the acute stage
-Frictions with Anti-Inflammatory meds