Frequent Shoulder Pain? Beware of Frozen Shoulder

By: dr. Titus Mabe Halomoan Simorangkir, Sp.OT

Do you often feel sore or stiff in your shoulder area, especially when waking up or lifting your arm? Many people assume this is just normal fatigue. However, this condition could be a sign of frozen shoulder, which needs to be addressed early.

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition in which the tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickening, and tightening of the shoulder joint capsule, causing the joint to become stiff and difficult to move.
This condition usually develops gradually and can progress through several stages, ranging from mild pain to significant limitation of both active and passive movement.

Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Some common symptoms include:

• Shoulder pain that develops gradually
• Shoulder feels stiff and difficult to move
• Difficulty lifting the arm up or back
• Pain worsens at night
• Daily activities are disrupted.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, but several factors increase the risk, such as:

• Shoulder injury or trauma
• Certain diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism, and autoimmune diseases
• More common in people over 40-60 years of age, especially in women
• Lack of physical activity
• Prolonged immobilization of the shoulder, for example after surgery, stroke, or Parkinson's disease

Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder generally develops in three stages:

1. Freezing Stage: The shoulder begins to feel sore and movement becomes limited.
2. Frozen Stage: The pain may decrease, but the shoulder becomes stiffer and more difficult to move.
3. Thawing Stage: Shoulder movement slowly begins to improve.

How to Treat Frozen Shoulder

Treatment for frozen shoulder aims to reduce pain and restore shoulder function. Here are some steps you can take:

• Physical Therapy: Stretching exercises and physiotherapy to improve shoulder mobility.
• Pain Relief: Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Warm Compresses: Help relieve shoulder stiffness.
• Medical Procedures: In certain cases, procedures such as injections or other procedures, such as joint manipulation under anesthesia, may be necessary, as recommended by an orthopedic specialist.

How to Prevent Frozen Shoulder

Here are some steps you can take to prevent this condition:

• Regularly stretch and move your shoulders.
• Stay active, especially after an injury.
• Maintain good physical health.
• Don't ignore persistent shoulder pain.

Shoulder pain isn't always a trivial issue; it could be a sign of frozen shoulder, which requires medical attention. With early detection and appropriate treatment, this condition can be managed and your quality of life can be maintained.

FAQ

Can massage cure frozen shoulder?
Massage can help relieve mild pain, but it's not enough to completely address the condition.

How long does it take for frozen shoulder to heal?
The healing process can take several months to more than a year, depending on the severity.

Who is most at risk for frozen shoulder?
People over 40, people with diabetes, and those who rarely use their shoulder are at higher risk.

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