Frozen Shoulder Physical Therapy
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder may occur after you are injured in a traumatic auto accident, especially if you are a female between the ages of 40 and 60. You may also develop this condition after shoulder surgery.Symptoms include dull or aching pain in the outer shoulder and upper arm, especially with movement, that worsens over time.
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule that contains the joint becomes tight and thickens, sometimes due to a lack of necessary fluids or development of stiff tissue bands.
What are the stages of frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder consists of three different stages:
Freezing: The freezing stage is the most painful of the three stages of frozen shoulder. You will also experience restricted movement. This stage generally lasts anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks.
Frozen: Although pain usually subsides during this stage, stiffness may actually worsen. This stage may last from 4 to 6 months, and you may struggle to perform some of your daily activities.
Thawing: Your shoulder’s normal range of motion begins to return during the thawing stage, which may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
What are the treatment options for frozen shoulder?
Treatment for frozen shoulder includes:
- Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone injections
- Physical therapy
- Application of heat
A patient may need to undergo surgery if nonsurgical methods don’t provide results, although this is very rare.
What can I expect from frozen shoulder physical therapy?
Frozen shoulder physical therapy is generally made up of stretching and range of motion exercises, performed either at home or in an office under the supervision of a physician. You may be instructed to apply heat to the area before beginning your exercises to help loosen your muscles.
What is the recovery time for a frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder recovery is often a long process. Affected patients may not regain full strength and range of motion for years after developing the condition.
If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a frozen shoulder, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our quick contact form for a FREE consultation.