In this article, Dr. Ratnav Ratan, a leading orthopedic doctor from Gurgaon, has discussed everything you need to know about Frozen Shoulder.
Dr. Ratnav Ratan has worked in pediatric orthopedics, limb reconstruction surgeries, and sports medicine for over thirteen years.
Health platforms like Lybrate, Credihealth, Clinicspots also include Dr. Ratnav Ratan, among the ten best orthopedic doctors in Gurgaon.
Frozen shoulder is a chronic condition that limits shoulder movement and necessitates immediate medical attention.
Although many shoulder diseases cause pain and loss of motion, frozen shoulder is more painful and is caused by inflammation (swelling, pain, and irritation) of the tissues surrounding the joint.
It can arise as a result of an injury or appear out of nowhere: You wake up one day with severe shoulder pain, and over the next few weeks, the joint stiffens to the point where your range of motion is severely limited.
Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a mysterious condition that affects more women than men and usually develops between 40 and 65.
Dr. Ratnav Ratan, an expert orthopedic specialist, says, “It’s an engaging procedure, and it merely occurs to shoulders; we do not notice frozen knees or elbows.”
A frozen shoulder has three stages.
The shoulder hurts initially, and the pain worsens over time.
The frozen stage occurs when the shoulder loses range of motion and “the capsule thickens due to inflammation,” according to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, an outstanding orthopedic specialist from Gurgaon.
The third stage, known as the thawing phase, gradually improves the shoulder’s range of motion.
The length of time spent in each set is unpredictable and varies significantly from person to person, but the condition can last anywhere from six months to two years or longer.
Frozen shoulder’s exact causes are unknown, which is why it’s often referred to as idiopathic (meaning of unknown cause).
According to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, it most likely involves an element of inflammation, mobilization, and the release of chemicals that irritate the joint, causing pain.
“As a result, other chemicals are released, causing stiffness, freezing, and scarring.”
The non-dominant arm is usually affected by the frozen shoulder.
According to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, if someone develops an idiopathic frozen shoulder in one shoulder, she is more likely to develop it in the other later.
The condition is caused by a gradual loss of movement in the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint, according to Dr. Ratnav Ratan.
A ball (the humeral head) and a socket make up this joint (the glenoid).
It’s usually one of the body’s most mobile joints. However, when the shoulder is frozen, the joint becomes stuck, and movement is restricted.’
So, what is one to do?
According to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, when this happens, the first thing you should do is consult your doctor, who will likely recommend a few tests, such as an X-ray, to rule out any other possible causes.
Kinds of frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder can be divided into two categories.
- Primary adhesive capsulitis: Reason is an idiopathic or unknown cause. Rash of the tendons and muscles, like rotator cuff bursitis or tendinitis, can compel the shoulder joint to get frozen, according to Dr.Ratnav Ratan.
- Secondary adhesive capsulitis: It is caused by stiffness in the oulder area due to an injury, surgery, or prolonged immobility.
“People who work from home are more likely to develop secondary frozen shoulder as a result of long periods of sitting without stretching and poor posture with a hunch back.”
Stretching the upper neck, head, shoulder, and upper back can help prevent this. To prevent frozen shoulder, early treatment and mobilization of the shoulder should get accomplished underneath the care of a physiotherapist,” said Dr. Ratnav Ratan.
However, Dr. Ratnav Ratan believes that “it is not always directly associated with people’s work from home schedules” and that it can be exacerbated by restricted physical activities and lack of good body movement.
Shoulder stiffness vs. shoulder freezing
The shoulder’s range of motion is restricted in the stiff shoulder due to various factors, including recent arthritis, bone injuries, tumors, and Mal United fractures.
On the other hand, frozen shoulder is one of the causes of stiff shoulder, which is more commonly associated with aging and diabetes and causes inflammation in the shoulder capsule, resulting in a limited range of motion and pain, according to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, Gurgaon’s expert orthopedic surgeon.
Treatment
There are two types of treatment: one is to increase motion by moving the patient’s arm to stretch the capsule through physical therapy, and the other is to reduce pain with anti-inflammatory medications.
“Using a wand or overhead pulley, the physical therapist will teach specific exercises that can be done at home.”
It’s also possible to use ultrasound, heat, or electrical stimulation. The therapist will show you how to stretch, which you should do at least once or twice a day.
Dr. Ratnav Ratan, a leading orthopedic doctor from Gurgaon, explained that these exercises include using a cane, a home pulley system, and an elastic cord to increase shoulder motion.
According to Dr. Ratnav Ratan, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, adequate nutrition, and prevention are all recommended for recovery.
