Young people are also at risk of frozen shoulder
In simple terms, frozen shoulder is a condition in which the range of movement of the shoulder joint is reduced due to stiffness of the shoulders.
In Korea, it is known as ‘shoulder disease in one’s fifties’, which mainly affects people in their fifties, but it can actually occur in a wide range of age groups from the thirties to the seventies.
The location and cause of frozen shoulder
The location of frozen shoulder is the joint capsule. However, the cause of frozen shoulder has not been clearly identified.
It is known to occur frequently in patients with inflammation of the shoulder joint, tendon abnormalities and endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid disease and hypofunction of the adrenal cortex, etc.). It can also occur as a result of shoulder trauma or long-term immobilisation, rotator cuff tears or calcified tendinitis.
Symptoms and diagnosis of frozen shoulder
Patients with frozen shoulder experience severe shoulder pain and limited active and also passive range of motion. Initially, they have difficulty turning their shoulders inwards, and later they have difficulty raising their arms forward or turning them outwards.
In many cases, the condition is monitored with medication or physiotherapy, but if the frozen shoulder progresses and becomes more severe, the symptoms may get worse even while being treated.
If the symptoms get worse during treatment, or if the pain persists for more than three months, it is advisable to have a detailed examination to determine the exact condition of the shoulder.
“Incheon General Hospital, Nasaret International Hospital”
Treatment for frozen shoulder
If an MRI scan reveals a rotator cuff tear, calcific tendinitis or other clear diagnosis, treatment will be targeted to the cause. However, if there are no major abnormalities on the MRI, conservative treatment will be given.
Most cases of frozen shoulder can be treated with non-surgical methods. If you have severe shoulder pain, injection therapy to relieve pain and extracorporeal shock wave therapy to strengthen tendons can be very helpful.
It is important to make an effort to keep your shoulders healthy by stretching them regularly, maintaining good posture and not sleeping on your side.
