Frozen Shoulder Rehab

What is Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes adhesions to form within the shoulder region. Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis and produces stiffness and limits mobility within the shoulder joint. This disorder usually begins with minimal to moderate pain and stiffness and escalates over time. Typically, it takes six to nine months to develop a “frozen” shoulder. As it progresses, many people find it difficult or impossible to move their shoulders due to the level of discomfort.

The cause is still speculated and not definitive in nature, although numerous individuals with diabetes develop frozen shoulder as do those with autoimmune dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and other systemic conditions. If you are diagnosed with a frozen shoulder, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have an underlying chronic illness, but it’s best to have a thorough medical examination to evaluate your overall health. Individuals that have had surgery, which may prevent arm movements, such as a mastectomy or arm fracture repair, often develop a frozen shoulder due to the inability to move their shoulder joint and keep it flexible.

Frozen shoulder is most common in the 40 to 60 year-old age groups, and more women than men tend to develop the condition. Frozen shoulder treatment usually heals or recovers maximum strength and mobility within a year or two, depending on the severity and the overall health and compliance of the patient.

At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, we are dedicated to finding and treating the root cause of your condition, and we take great care to help you understand the specifics of your disorder, optimal treatment options, and necessary protocols to get you back in the game.

Do and Don’ts for Frozen Shoulders – 

Frozen Shoulder Do:

• Get Physical Therapy
• Continue to exercise at your fitness level
• Warm up before any shoulder movement (heating pad, hot towel, shower, etc.)
• Practice mobility exercises and stretching at home
• Get plenty of rest and restorative sleep
• Eat a nutritious diet
• Apply ice packs several times per day for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off
• Take pain relievers as directed
• Seek medical care if pain and immobility are getting worse

Frozen Shoulders Don’ts:

• Don’t stop exercising, but keep your shoulder protected
• Don’t overdo any strenuous activity like lifting heavy bags, etc.
• Don’t sleep on your frozen shoulder (lay on your back or the other side)
• Don’t drink alcohol
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t eat a poor or unhealthy diet
• Don’t ignore your symptoms

In-House Physical Therapy Department

Today more than ever, Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine’s personalized level of care is their top priority. Therefore, they set a high standard of patient care for their in-house physical therapy department. The ability to communicate daily with their physical therapists and clinicians is ideal in orthopedic patient care.  Having the in-house physical therapy department allows the physicians to have insight and control over the advanced treatment their patients need and specifically design the best program for recovery. 

Frozen Shoulder Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy treatment is one of the primary methods for healing frozen shoulders. Along with stretching and manual strategies in-house, physical therapists use a select group of stretching exercises to help loosen the adhesions or “thaw” the shoulder. You will be instructed and guided on these until you are content performing them at home. Doing these at home will decrease the length of time before you are comfortable again, which is the goal. However, it’s critical to warm up the shoulder, neck, and back before doing these to increase mobility and decrease pain. Use a warm towel, heating pad, or take a hot shower for 10 minutes or so before you begin.

Physiotherapy Exercises

1. Pendulum

Lean over and place one arm down on top of a table or hard surface. Hold your body with your palm on the table and the other arm hanging at your side.  For counts of 10, Gently swing your arm back and forth, then side to side, then in small circles. Repeat these 3 to 5 times.

2. Cross Arm Stretch

Standing straight up, gently stretch one arm across your chest, holding your opposite hand on your upper arm, and carefully hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side and alternate for up to 10 times.

3. Shoulder Blade Rotations

Standing in a neutral position, gently shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and hold for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and then press your shoulders back (squeezing upper back muscles) and hold for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and then pull the shoulder blades down and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat this sequence 3 to 5 times.

4. External rotation

Standing in a neutral position, hold a lightweight stick or cane, such as a yardstick, in front of your torso. Grasp one end of the stick and cup the other end. Gently pass the stick back and forth from side to side in front of your torso, keeping your elbows in towards your body and the rest of your body still. Hold each push and pull for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not over-stretch to the point of pain. 

5. Internal rotation

Standing in a neutral position, hold a lightweight stick or cane, such as a yardstick, behind you near your lower spine or top of the buttocks. Grasp one end of the stick and cup the other end or hold it where it is most comfortable. Gently pass the stick back and forth from side to side behind you in a horizontal motion. Allow one arm to extend out away from your body and keep the other elbow close to your side. Hold each push and pull for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not over-stretch to the point of pain. 

Always on the leading edge of the most innovative treatment options, Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine’s physical therapy department and staff offer the most advanced treatment and therapeutics for their patients.

Dry Needling

Dry Needling is another advanced procedure our practice includes in our treatment programs. Dry Needling is performed by certified and highly trained physical therapists. Similar to acupuncture in the insertion of tiny microfilament needles, it is not the same concerning outcome or procedure goals. 

Muscle fibers that have contractions or tight bands decrease range of motion and permeate pain and soreness. This is known as trigger points, which disrupt functionality. Dry Needling is well known to increase blood flow, reduce pain and increase range of motion, and it can be used for numerous musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Physical Therapists need to take an extended course in dry Needling and are certified to perform the technique. After evaluation and testing, the therapist will design a treatment plan specific to the patient.

Depending on the severity of the area that needs treatment, the needles can be inserted for a few minutes to approximately 15 minutes at a time. The insertion is not very deep, and again, the needles are fine gauge, so there is usually minimal to no discomfort. It can be used in conjunction with other therapeutics to increase healing.

Intra articular corticosteroid injection with ultrasound guidance.

With decades of experience, at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine all of our surgeons are board certified, and fellowship trained. We offer you the best treatment options and care.