Stiffness and pain in the shoulder that makes normal movement of the joint impossible. In severe cases, the shoulder may be completely rigid, and pain may be intense. Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation and thickening of the lining of the joint capsule. In some cases, it occurs following a minor injury to the shoulder or a stroke. The condition is more common in middle-aged people and those with diabetes mellitus. Moderate symptoms of frozen shoulder can be eased by exercise, by taking analgesic drugs and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and by applying ice-packs. In severe cases, injections of corticosteroid drugs into the joint may be used. Manipulation of the joint under a general anaesthetic can restore mobility, but this treatment carries the risk of increasing pain in the joint initially. Recovery is often slow but the shoulder is usually back to normal and pain free within 2 years.
Frozen shoulder |
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