You must have surely felt the pain associated with frozen shoulder, if you come in the late 40s and early 70s age bracket. What is frozen shoulder? Characterized by pain, stiffness and loss of motion in the shoulder, this is a disorder which commonly affects women between 40-70 years of age, although men aren’t exempt from the disorder either.
Why some people have to undergo the pain of frozen shoulder is still not fully known and understood, although 
what happens when you experience the disorder is carefully detailed. The process of frozen shoulder involves the thickening and contraction of a capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint and can be diagnosed fairly easily with the help of patient’s history with the symptoms as well as a thorough physical examination.
How to Recognize the Pain of Frozen Shoulder from Other Joint Disorders
Usually characterized as dull and aching, the pain from a frozen shoulder can worsen due to attempted motion. If you are suffering from frozen shoulder disorder, you will feel pain that is usually centered over the outer shoulder area, but sometimes, the upper arm as well.
The hallmark of frozen shoulder disorder, i.e. stiffness of shoulder and loss of motion are just two symptoms which will make it easy to recognize the disorder, although, still in most cases, it will be hard to differentiate the pain of frozen shoulder from other causes. Orthopedic surgeons have classified this disorder, into three main stages which are;
The Freezing Stage: In this stage, the patient will develop a slow onset of pain, which will worsen gradually until the shoulder loses all motion.
The Frozen Stage: In this stage, the patient will experience a slow improvement in pain, yet the stiffness will remain.
The Thawing Stage: This is the final stage, when the affected shoulder slowly regains motion and returns to normal.
Are There Any Surgical Treatment Options For Frozen Shoulder?
Surgery isn’t the first and only option that is considered for the treatment of this painful disorder, although in most cases, it’s required as the only way to alleviate symptoms and bring back the shoulder to normal. Generally, surgery is considered when all other methods of treatment have been tried and no visible improvement has been seen.
The most common methods used in the case of surgical intervention include;
Manipulation under Anesthesia: This procedure involves the manipulation of the shoulder by surgical instruments such as forceps and clamps which are used to tear or stretch the tight muscle from the joint capsule. The patient is given general anesthesia first.
Shoulder Arthroscopy: In this procedure, the Phoenix shoulder surgeon makes small incisions around the shoulder from where a small camera and other instruments are inserted. The tight portions of the joint capsule are then cut with the instruments.
Often, a combination of both surgical methods is used by orthopedic surgeons that aim to derive the best results possible. Patients who undergo, either one of the two surgical procedures or a combination of both have reported their satisfaction with the end results.
Dr. Adam Farber at Phoenix Shoulder and Knee is an expert in the treatment of frozen shoulder. This includes both nonoperative and operative options. As a Fellowship Trained shoulder specialist in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale, Dr. Farber can get you back to regular activities.
Most insurance is accepted, call (480) 219-3342 today!
