What is Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis is inflammation of the tendons and ligaments that surround the shoulder joint (shoulder capsule). This condition causes the shoulder to become stiff and painful to move. Adhesive capsulitis is also called frozen shoulder.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
- An injury to the shoulder joint.
- Straining the shoulder.
- Not moving the shoulder for a period of time. This can happen if your arm was injured or in a sling.
- Long-standing
health problems, such as:
- Diabetes.
- Thyroid problems.
- Heart disease.
- Stroke.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Lung disease.
In some cases, the cause may not be known.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in:
- Women.
- People who are older than 40 years of age.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain in the shoulder when moving the arm. There may also be pain when parts of the shoulder are touched. The pain is worse at night or when at rest.
- Soreness or aching in the shoulder.
- Inability to move the shoulder normally.
- Muscle spasms.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI.
How is this treated?
This condition may be treated with:
- Treatment of the underlying cause or condition.
- Physical therapy. This involves performing exercises to get the shoulder moving again.
- Medicine. Medicine may be given to relieve pain, inflammation, or muscle spasms.
- Steroid injections into the shoulder joint.
- Shoulder manipulation. This is a procedure to move the shoulder into another position. It is done after you are given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic). The joint may also be injected with salt water at high pressure to break down scarring.
- Surgery. This may be done in severe cases when other treatments have failed.
Although most people recover completely from adhesive capsulitis, some may not regain the full movement of the shoulder.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you are being treated with physical therapy, follow instructions from your physical therapist.
- Avoid exercises that put a lot of demand on your shoulder, such as throwing. These exercises can make pain worse.
- If
directed, apply ice to the injured area:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You develop new symptoms.
- Your symptoms get worse.
