Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a medical condition where the patient becomes unable to move the arm because of inflammation in the rotator cuff area of the shoulder joint.
The arm is held in the shoulder socket by the tendons and ligaments in the rotator cuff. When those tendons and ligaments develop inflammation, it becomes very difficult for the patient to move the affected arm.
The causes of frozen shoulder are not known, however, many physicians feel that other health problems such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes can contribute to the odds of person getting frozen shoulder.
The most effective frozen shoulder treatment is a course of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), coupled with physical therapy and steroid injections. Exercises frozen shoulder patients do should be monitored by closely by a licensed physical therapist to avoid any other damage being done to the shoulder joint.
Frozen shoulder treatment can be very painful, but most physicians will recommend a nerve block to help the patient get through the first few weeks of physical therapy.
If all other treatments have been largely unsuccessful, the physician will have the option of performing a manual shoulder manipulation or surgically removing scar tissue and cutting the tight ligaments to free up the shoulder.