What is Adhesive Capsulitis?
Adhesive capsulitis is also called frozen shoulder.
Adhesive Capsulitis is seen mostly in women. It is more common over the age of forty and is also more common in diabetic patients than in the rest of the population.
Adhesive Capsulitis results in both pain and limitation of shoulder
movements. The pattern of movement restriction is quite characteristic
of the condition and is sometimes called the "capsular pattern."
Adhesive Capsulitis arises when the shoulder joint capsule becomes
tight or sticky. The condition is also sometimes referred to as "frozen
shoulder"
What causes Adhesive Capsulitis?
Most cases of frozen shoulder arise for no very clear or obvious reason. These cases are called "idiopathic" adhesive capsulitis.
Sometimes adhesive capsulitis will arise after injury to the shoulder joint or to the rotator cuff muscles. It can also be seen after a stroke or after a prolonged spell of shoulder immobility.
Chest wall or breast surgery can also be a trigger for the development of adhesive capsulitis
How to diagnose Adhesive Capsulitis
The symptoms of adhesive capsulitis often begin gradually over some weeks or months. Pain is the main problem.
The pain is felt over the deltoid muscle area around the shoulder. It may spread down the arm towards the elbow or wrist. The pain is made worse by lying on the affected side or by trying to use the arm behind the back or above the head.
Adhesive capsulitis also triggers a stiffness in the joint and an inability to move the arm properly - particularly behind the back or above the head
The pattern of restricted movement is very characteristic and is easily spotted by an experienced doctor or therapist.
It is sometimes necessary for the doctor to exclude other problems by performing blood tests or by arranging x-rays or scans.
Sometimes MRI scan is required to confirm the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Your doctor may also organise an injection of dye into the shoulder joint in a procedure known as an arthrogram
How to treat Adhesive Capsulitis
You need to remember that frozen shoulder recovers spontaneously in virtually every case. It can take up to eighteen months for full recovery.
Treatment options include:
- painkiller or anti-inflammation medication
- physical therapy from a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath
- injection of a steroid drug
- manipulation under anesthetic
- acupuncture
- arthroscopic surgery
Other shoulder pain resources on the site:
shoulder calcification treatment