Have you ever experienced the wincing pain in your shoulder after trying to reach something overhead? You might have a frozen shoulder—which is a condition where the shoulder joint loses its mobility, causing stiffness and pain in the joint. It doesn’t require serious orthopaedic treatment to the same degree as patients who would seek ACL surgery in Singapore. Still, a frozen shoulder requires proper rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder Condition

A frozen shoulder condition makes it difficult for you to move. But after worsening symptoms, a frozen shoulder tends to get better over time. The shoulder problem often affects adults between the ages of 40 and above. Mostly, women are more prone to experience having frozen shoulders than men. Additionally, people who have diabetes also have a higher risk of developing it. Nevertheless, this problem can last from weeks to months. Sometimes it takes a year to get better. Hence, you might want to seek treatment for a frozen shoulder in Singapore.

Frozen shoulder ailment can happen when the sleeve around the joint—which is called the ‘capsule’ becomes thick and swollen. The tissue becomes inflamed, tight and shrinks, causing pain. The exact cause for this is unknown. However, most tend to occur because of an injury or surgery. Other health conditions, such as (apart from diabetes) lung disease, overactive thyroid, breast cancer, etc., can increase the risk, although the exact reason is unknown.

Common Signs of Frozen Shoulder

Here are some of the most common and possible signs of a frozen shoulder problem:

1. A painful sensation when moving the shoulder
2. A grinding sensation during motion
3. Loss of ability to move the shoulder in different directions
4. Inability to move by lifting your arm or reaching behind back
5. Persistent stiffness in the shoulder

Symptoms may vary. Some may exhibit mild form with little impact on daily activities. On the other hand, it may be severe enough to hinder your total ability to move your shoulders. In such cases, consider visiting a local orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore for diagnosis and treatment.

Easing Shoulder Pain Problem

As we have said earlier, a frozen shoulder gets better over time, depending on its severity. However, a focused treatment will help manage pain and restore shoulder motion and strength. In most cases, physical therapy is a requirement. Here are some of the most common ways to treat and ease shoulder pain problems:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is perhaps one of the most effective non-surgical treatments you can perform to ease a frozen shoulder. There are specific exercises that can help restore your shoulder’s motion. You can perform these exercises with the proper guidance and supervision of a physical therapist. The therapist can create a home therapy program to help ease the stiffness and pain at home. It’s a must that you do not skip any physical therapy session.

Surgery

It’s uncommon for patients to need surgical treatment for a frozen shoulder. Nevertheless, a doctor may provide a recommendation if a patient warrants any need for surgery and other procedures if other treatments aren’t working. An orthopaedic doctor will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon for the surgical procedure.

Painkillers and Other Medications

An orthopaedic doctor in Singapore may recommend you take anti-inflammatory medication drugs or painkillers as part of the frozen shoulder treatment. Painkillers (such as paracetamol and codeine) are the most common treatment patients can perform to ease pain and are widely available at any pharmacy without any prescription. Nevertheless, it’s advisable you follow the manufacturer’s instructions or doctor’s direction to ensure you’re taking the correct dose at the proper time.

Are you looking for a frozen shoulder or shoulder slap tear treatment? Visit Advanced Orthopaedic Sports Centre for more orthopaedic treatment services.