Formal Treatments for Frozen Shoulder

Formal treatment of frozen shoulder has varied widely, from nothing to manipulative intervention. The latter, which involves placing the patient under anesthesia and forcefully breaking loose the adhesions, would present to be the most feasible route for the severely impaired.  The aggressiveness however, creates the risk of a ligamentous (the tissues that hold the bones together) or rotator cuff tear, and thus manipulation often becomes the last resort in the treatment progression. This is especially true for the elderly and insulin-dependent diabetic population where the status of soft tissue structures may be impaired. For the balance of the population, there have been a number of recent studies in support of the use of manipulation or arthroscopic debridement followed by aggressive physical therapy care to insure that the mobility is maintained while the proper strengthening program is being initiated.

From a Physical Therapy Perspective

From a physical therapy perspective, treatment includes range of motion patterns in conjunction with stretching and mobilization where scar tissue is lengthened at a pace that is fairy tolerable to the patient. Diligence with one’s home exercise program is crucial in regard to resolving the problem. There may be some level of dysfunction for a period of time similar to length of known impairment. A general goal with rehabilitation is to restore at least 75% of normal mobility. From that point, the motivated patient should be able to resolve the balance of symptoms.

Though tissue change in the joint is the identifying factor, attaining such as a diagnostic test from those potentially predisposed is impractical. Thus, early symptomatic detection becomes the key element and two simple tests can be periodically implemented into one’s early morning routine. These need only be done 1-2 times a month, and take but a few seconds.