The NHS Foundation Trust Frozen shoulder A guide to treatment & management Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service patientinformation Your health, your life, your choice, our passion
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Frozen shoulder Introduction Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common, painful condition that affects the ability to move the shoulder. It can also affect your ability to lie on the affected shoulder. Frozen shoulder reduces normal movement in the joint and, in some cases, it can prevent movement in the shoulder altogether. Pain and stiffness in the shoulder are the most common symptoms of a frozen shoulder. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, although it appears to be more common in people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes (a long-term condition that is caused by too much glucose in the blood). It can start spontaneously or as a result of trauma or surgery. What is a frozen shoulder? Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint, in which the end of your upper arm bone (humerus) sits in the socket of your shoulder blade (scapula). A frozen shoulder occurs when there is thickening and swelling of the flexible tissue that surrounds your shoulder joint. This tissue is known as a capsule. In cases of frozen shoulder, it is thought that scar tissue forms inside the shoulder capsule, causing it to thicken, swell, and tighten. This leaves less space for your upper arm bone in the joint and makes any movement stiff and painful. 3
Frozen shoulder Frozen shoulder Clavicle Acromion Joint capsule Humerus Scarring of joint capsule How common is frozen shoulder? Most cases of frozen shoulder occur in people who are between 40 and 60 years of age. The condition is more common in women than in men. It is estimated that a frozen shoulder could affect up to one in 20 people. 4
Frozen shoulder What are the treatment options? There are different forms of treatment for frozen shoulder including: l Painkillers and anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and inflammation. l Physiotherapy to prevent further stiffness and regain movement. l Injections, steroids and local anaesthetic are used to reduce inflammation and pain in addition to possibly improving range of movement. Most successful if used in conjunction to physiotherapy. l Surgery to relieve pain and increase range of movement in combination with a course of physiotherapy. This is done through key hole (arthroscopic) surgery. Recovery from a frozen shoulder can be slow, and the symptoms can last for several years. However, most people with the condition eventually regain good movement in their shoulder. 5
Frozen shoulder How to contact us Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service Community Health Centre Greasbrough Road S60 1RY Telephone 01709 423239 Useful contact numbers NHS Direct Telephone 0845 4647 Health Info Telephone 01709 427190 Stop Smoking Service Telephone 01709 422444 Patient Services Telephone 01709 424461 A&E Telephone 01709 424455 For GP out of hours, contact your surgery Useful websites www.nhs.uk www.direct.gov.uk www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk www.shoulderdoc.co.uk www.cks.nhs.uk We value your comments If you have any comments or concerns about the care we have provided please let us know, or alternatively you can write to: Patient Services The NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Moorgate Road Oakwood S60 2UD Telephone 01709 424461 Email complaints@rothgen.nhs.uk Produced by Sally Blair and Vanessa Fletcher-Barrett. October 2012. Revision due October 2014. Version: 1.0 The NHS Foundation Trust 2012. All rights reserved. 6
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