Stiffening threatens: when you have pain with shoulder urgently to the doctor to

Approximately one in Ten suffers from pain to the shoulder. Among the reasons, poor posture and inflammation in addition to Congestion and wear and tear. In the worst case, chronic pain or a stiffened shoulder joint.

As Frozen Shoulder (“frozen”, so stiffened shoulder) designate a physician, the loss of mobility of the shoulder joint. Affected frequently complain about problems in everyday movements, for example, if you have something of a shelf or your cell phone to your ear and hold want to get. Debt-to-adhesions and adhesions of the shoulder capsule, surrounds the joint and, in contrast to other joint capsules is extremely voluminous. Together with the surrounding musculature of the joint capsule leads to the shoulder in its movement.

Different forms of shoulder stiffness

Physicians distinguish between two forms: In the case of primary frozen shoulder, the cause of the limitation of movement is unknown or there is no acute joint disease. However, the Frozen Shoulder in secondary Form is a result of well-known diseases or injuries, after a surgery or prolonged immobility. The primary Form often affects women in Menopause, the secondary Form occurs in my patients, however, more and more often. Even young people can suffer from a Frozen Shoulder, most often Affected are in the age between 40 and 60 years of age.

About the author

Norbert Wynands is a specialist in surgery, accident surgery and sports medicine. He is senior physician of the Department of trauma and reconstructive surgery at the red cross hospital in Lindenberg.

The three stages of primary frozen shoulder

The primary Form of shoulder stiffness typically proceeds in three successive stages. In the first Phase, Sufferers do not often suffer from severe pain, only when they move the shoulder, but also in periods of rest, such as at night when Sleeping. These take place in the course of, there’s often inflammation in the joint capsule.

In the first stage, which can last from three to nine months, the pain clearly in the foreground. Movement restrictions will not be perceived by the Affected mostly.

It is called the stiffening phase, which can last up to 15 months. In this period, the pain slowly less, however, of the person Concerned in his shoulder is restricted movement, now more and more. This may go so far that the joint is at the end not to move. A typical Symptom of Frozen Shoulder is when the person can no longer spread to the Arm or to the outside or inside of the turn.

In the last Phase of the primary Form, the solution or the thawing phase, which lasts an average of nine months, the stiffened and not the pain in the shoulder slowly moving again because the inflammation of the shoulder capsule form. In some cases, Sufferers are able to move your joint after this stage is even complete.

Secondary Form does not resolve itself

Most of my Frozen Shoulder patients have stiffness of the secondary shape of the shoulder. Often you tell me that you lifted something Heavy, and a sudden, sharp pain in the shoulder have felt. Jerky lifting movements are typical triggers for shoulder injuries, which can lead to a Frozen Shoulder.

It is not uncommon after shoulder surgery or fractures to the symptoms of the disease. In consequence of the injury, the inflammation will spread in the direction of the shoulder capsule form, so that they are bonded as a result. The result: The Affected person suffers from severe pain and unable to move his shoulder properly.

It becomes dangerous when the inflammation often begins tendon in the area of the Biceps moves, in the direction of the joint,””. It does not intervene at this point – with medication or physiotherapy – this can have severe consequences for the person Concerned.

In General, the secondary shape of the shoulder does not dissolve rigid as in the case of the primary Form. Therefore, Sufferers should consult with these symptoms, a doctor can assess the injury or limitation of motion, and appropriate action will be taken. Because without a treatment the secondary Form of shoulder stiffness will remain. Only in the case of conservative of unsuccessful physiotherapy, surgical intervention should be considered, which can bring relief.

Options for treatment of a stiff shoulder

As soon as someone feels pain in the shoulder and the joint can no longer move normally, should go to the person Concerned as soon as possible a specialist, in order to prevent a subsequent shoulder stiffness. Wait can aggravate the combination of pain and limitation of movement the condition of the shoulder. Unlike widely believed, freedom from pain and mobility but the majority of the patients with conservative methods of treatment to restore.

Only in rare cases and if physiotherapy does not help, surgery is advisable. Crucial a suitable, individually tailored pain after an accurate diagnosis by a shoulder specialist and physiotherapy, as well as the accompanying self-treatment exercises for the Patient to regain his shoulder mobility due to muscle building, etc. In addition, anti-inflammatory measures, such as local Quark compresses or medications or injections will be required.

The Frozen Shoulder prevention

In General, you can’t prevent the Frozen Shoulder directly. Regular, but not excessive movement and athletic strain, however, is always a good way to keep the shoulder or the entire body fit.

It is not rare that it takes several months to make changes for the better occur. It is important that the Patient remains off, the time for the treatment that the doctor sees him in this time closely, and the progress is professionally documented.