27/07/2017
This patient I put up on here a while ago. She was told her frozen shoulder which was painful and very stiff with loss of range of motion was ok and was given some cream by her gp to rub int her shoulder. After various correspondence and ultrasound/ MRI she was diagnosed with bilateral tears supraspinatus and posterior delt on the left.
After treatment she can now self manage with her activities of daily living independently.
Frozen shoulder / adhesive capsulises can be caused by several issues. It is considered primary if the onset is idiopathic whilst secondary results from a known cause or surgical event. I.e Post operative, tendinitis, fracture, rotator cuff pathologies, calcification tendinitis , at joint arthritis sudden onset , those with systemic conditions such as diabetes , hypothyroidism and arthritic conditions.
It is also most prevalent in women between 40-65 although I have seen many older patients and those in the diabetic population. Other associated risks are trauma, prolonged rest, thyroid disease, stroke myocardial infarcts and the presence of autoimmune disease. There are three stages that it progresses through
Acute / freezing/painful can last 3-9 months
Adhesive / frozen/ stiffening can occur 4 months and last upto 12 months
Resolution / thawing. Can last 1-3 years post as recorded.
