What are the causes of a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulders can be caused by a variety of reasons.

In most cases, a frozen shoulder happens for no particular reason and is deemed “idopathic”.

It can also be caused by traumatic shoulder injuries, like a shoulder dislocation or a rotator cuff tear. In other cases, the initial trigger of a frozen shoulder can be caused by a simple arm movement such as reaching awkwardly underneath a table to switch on a power point, or even putting on a car seat belt.

Diabetes can also be the underlying cause of a frozen shoulder. Diabetics have a higher risk of getting a frozen shoulder, as collagen within the shoulder joint can become sticky when triggered by the presence of high blood sugars.

Non-Surgical Treatments For Frozen Shoulder In Singapore

The first phase of treatment that a shoulder specialist will recommend is conservative and non-surgical. In most cases, patients see significant improvements with non-surgical treatment options.

Anti-inflammatory oral medications

With a frozen shoulder, the shoulder is painful and inflamed, the first line of treatment is to take anti-inflammatory oral medications and pain relievers to help ease your discomfort as you recover.

It is also beneficial to ice and rest the shoulder joint. The ice can help subside the swelling in your shoulder. It is also important to avoid too much movement as it could aggravate the injury.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the treatment of injury and disease using noninvasive techniques. It focuses on improving your ability to move and function without pain, boosting your quality of life.

Exercises performed during a physiotherapy session aids in the strengthening of your shoulder muscles and speed up the process of restoring motion in the shoulder. As you build strength in your shoulder, pain can be reduced and your shoulder function can be improved. It also helps to reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory medicine that will be injected directly into your shoulder joint to reduce the inflammation. Nonetheless, repeated injections are discouraged as they may cause further damage to the shoulder.

Surgical Options For Frozen Shoulder In Singapore

If your symptoms do not improve with physiotherapy and other conservative methods, you may need to turn to surgical options to treat your frozen shoulder to restore function of your shoulder.

Dr. Ong will assess your symptoms in detail before recommending the right surgical option for your specific injury.

Shoulder Arthroscopy (Key-Hole) Capsular Release and Manipulation

Shoulder Arthroscopic Capsular Release and Manipulation is a common procedure performed for recalcitrant frozen shoulders.

By the time the patient with a frozen shoulder has reached this stage of treatment, the shoulder is likely to have undergone and failed other less invasive treatment methods. This is often due to the severity of inflammation and scarring that is within the affected shoulder joint.

The minimally invasive keyhole surgery is performed with small incisions under general anaesthesia. A small arthroscope camera is used with arthroscopic instruments to safely and carefully release the scarred tissue trapping the shoulder and to reduce the inflammation.

After surgery, compliance to physical therapy is necessary in order to maintain the motion that was achieved with surgery. This duration will vary, but if done consistently and properly, your shoulder should be able to achieve a normal range of motion again.

After a frozen shoulder, is it possible to achieve a full range of motion again?

Yes, it is possible to achieve a full range of motion again after the frozen shoulder injury.

How long is the recovery period for a frozen shoulder?

The timeline for recovery depends on a number of factors like the severity of your frozen shoulder, the treatment approach and the adherence to the treatment plan. Full recovery can range from several months to 2 to 3 years.

It is important for patients to understand that the recovery journey may be slow and tedious. Commitment to physiotherapy remains crucial in ensuring complete recovery.