Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder joint's tissues become inflamed, resulting in restricted motion, stiffness, and pain in the shoulder. This condition can cause scar tissue to form and lead to tightening in the shoulder capsule. Frozen shoulder can be extremely debilitating for some patients and affect their ability to function daily. Symptoms tend to begin gradually, with limited range of motion and pain during movement. While the pain can diminish over time, the shoulder can become increasingly stiff.
At first, our team at Dines Orthopedic usually treats frozen shoulder using nonsurgical options to manage pain and restore motion in the shoulder. Ibuprofen can be used to reduce swelling and pain. If pain persists, we may recommend steroid injections into the shoulder. Physical therapy is also recommended to help the patient regain mobility in their shoulder. If conservative treatments do not improve the patient's condition, Dr. Dines can manipulate the shoulder under anesthesia to remove the scar tissue. Arthroscopic surgery can also be performed to remove scar tissue in the joint with minimal invasiveness. It typically takes six weeks to several months to recover from this surgery, and physical therapy is recommended during this time.
