Do you have
shoulder pain?
Shoulder
pain can originate from many sources. A
large majority of patients attending clinic with pain over their shoulder area
actually have an issue with their neck.
The neck, whether due to an irritated nerve, joint or simply tight soft
tissue, can give you a pain sensation into the shoulder and arm. The shoulder joint on it’s own can give us
problems for many reasons. A traumatic
event can lead to injury and/or irritation to the tendons, bursa (protective
sac of fluid) and cartilage in and around the shoulder joint. Wear and tear of the tendons and the shoulder
joints over the years can cause you pain and reduced shoulder function. Your general day to day posture and
activities may lead to pain through over or under use of the tissues
surrounding the shoulder. Through
detailed questioning and assessment your physiotherapist/osteopath will be able
to determine your diagnosis and get you on the right course of treatment.
Do you have a “frozen
shoulder”?
The
term “frozen shoulder” is used far too widely to describe shoulder pain. The condition does exist but less often than
you may think. A “frozen shoulder” is
also named adhesive capsulitis. The
shoulder capsule is made up of ligament tissue that encapsulates the shoulder
joint; the tissue has enough give to allow free shoulder movement. In true “frozen shoulders” tightness and
scarring (adhesions) form in the capsule reducing the shoulder’s ability to
move. Symptoms generally present through
3 phases:
Painful: increasing shoulder and
upper arm pain especially at night, increasing over a period of weeks or
months.
Freezing: Pain remains but with a gradual reduction in
shoulder movement and therefore reduced functional ability.
Thawing: Gradual improvement in pain and,
over time, increase in shoulder movement.
The
literature varies when stating time frames for each of these processes. From beginning to end a frozen shoulder can
last anything from 1-3 years. It occurs
more commonly in females within the 40-60 year old age group. Unfortunately it is difficult to determine a
cause and symptoms can often arise with no known trigger. Occasionally it can develop after a traumatic
event such as a fractured humerus (arm).
Reduction in shoulder movement following the trauma can result in a
tightening of the capsule.
Treatment
of a frozen shoulder varies and can have varying effects throughout the phases. If pain is greatly affecting function and
sleep then a corticosteroid injection into the shoulder may be helpful for
this. At Framework Clinics our sports
medicine doctor Jane Dunbar can provide this where necessary after a thorough
assessment. Physiotherapy and Osteopathy
can also be helpful by providing exercises, soft tissue massage and joint
mobilisations. This can help to improve
or maintain movement and at times can help with pain relief.
If
you suspect you have a “frozen shoulder” then make an appointment with your
Physiotherapist/Osteopath. The best and
first thing you should do receive an accurate diagnosis to ensure you are
provided with the correct treatment and intervention. At Framework our clinicians are happy to
assess, treat, and educate on any of these conditions. Give us a call to make an appointment or for
more information:
Framework Bridge of Allan: 01786 831100
Framework
Livingston: 01506 202526
Framework
Tillicoultry: 01259 750960
