Frozen Shoulder FAQs in Vacaville

The term frozen shoulder in Vacaville is often used improperly because some people would refer to it even if it is just a normal shoulder pain.

There are many conditions that have been called 'frozen shoulder' (including shoulder impingement, should tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, and pain from the neck) even though they are different problems. These conditions require different prognoses and treatments, and they should be distinguished properly from one another.

The formal name of this condition is called "adhesive capsulitis". A person will feel thickening and tightening in the joint capsule, causing pain, and reducing range of motion. When looking through a microscope, the shoulder joint capsule's appearance is similar to the tissue that prevents the fingers from moving in Dupuytren's contracture, which is a common condition where the little finger curls into the palm.

How common in Vacaville is it?

This condition is common! About 2% of the general population is affected by true frozen shoulder. It is common in people between 40 and 60 years old, with no clear pattern of sex and arm dominance. However, people with diabetes and heart disease are common victims of this condition. There are times that it can follow after an injury.

What is it like?

When a frozen shoulder becomes untreated, it can come with three overlapping phases:

Phase 1: Painful or 'freezing' phase

It can last from 2 to 9 months. Whenever the shoulder is moved, it can cause soreness, and the pain progressively increases. It can also happen at night, which can easily disrupt your sleep. The pain can also persist no matter what people do or how they position their arms.

Phase 2: Stiffening or 'frozen' phase

It can last from 4 to 12 months. People will notice a marked stiffening of the shoulder with movements feeling restricted in all directions. The pain may gradually increase and will sometimes occur at the extremes of motion. It will also make the raising of arms above the head more difficult, which makes certain tasks a painful routine.

Phase 3: Resolution or 'thawing' phase

It can last from 1 to 3 years. There is improvement in pain and range of motion. End-range pain may still happen until total recovery. Even after the recovery is complete, some range of motion will still be lost, especially when twisting and reaching overhead.

Almost 95% of patients will recover even without the help of any treatment, though the entire process may take an average of 18 months and many may have lost their range of motion by that time.

How should it be diagnosed?

An accurate diagnosis can sometimes be difficult and there are cases where the condition is misdiagnosed.

A doctor can diagnose a frozen shoulder depending on the whole picture: the patient's symptoms and physical examination and results of imaging tests.

During the early phases, the pain is more prominent than stiffness, and it could be difficult to differentiate it from shoulder impingement syndrome. Later on, the stiffness can become more prominent, and the range of motion is reduced.

The 'cardinal sign' is a loss of external rotation. There are instances when other conditions like posterior dislocation of the shoulder and rotator cuff tears can imitate this problem, so one needs to be more careful about this.

If you need a professional's help for your shoulder pain, it is best to consider the clinic of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. Just dial (707) 474-5688 to set up an appointment and get treated today!