Adhesive Capsulitis (="Frozen Shoulder")

When the shoulder is immobilized for a certain period of time, the joint capsule of the acromiohumeral joint, which is the proper shoulder joint, shrinks. This leads to pain and a marked decreased range of motion in the shoulder joint.

Patients are severely distressed by this and tend to brace their arm along the chest cage and do not want to move it, which in turn makes the problem even worse. Frozen shoulder treatment consists of early physiotherapy treatment. Range of motion exercises and stretching of the shoulder muscles often allows the condition to subside gradually.

However, it often takes its course and the condition can take 1.5 and often up to 2 or 3 years to resolve.

It has different stages where the range of motion is getting worse for a few months, then it stays stable, but markedly restricted and with persistent slow stretching exercises and active exercises within the range of motion, considerable shoulder range of motion and shoulder strength can be regained. Perhaps 80% to 85% of poeple affected with this condition will regain all of the strength and range of motion. However, there are other cases where a certain disability remains (Ref. 3).

There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will control pain. This is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 7) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

Home page

Arthritis

Shoulder pain

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999.

2. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999.

6. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/ Several topics can be found under this link by entering the term you search for.

7. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: June 18, 2009