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Chris Heunis

Frozen Shoulder

The shoulder, essential for movement, operates as a modified ball and socket joint between the humerus and the shallow cup of the scapula.


Though this allows wide-ranging motion, it's somewhat unstable. The rotator cuff, consisting of four critical muscles, partnered with ligaments, stabilizes the joint. A lubricating capsule surrounds it, facilitating smooth motion.

 

However, with adhesive capsulitis, or Frozen Shoulder, this capsule thickens and tightens, resulting in pain and restricted movement.

 

Symptoms:


 ·       Progressive stiffness, hindering simple tasks like dressing.

 

·       Severe nighttime pain disrupting sleep.

 

·       Quick atrophy of shoulder muscles, especially deltoids and rotator cuff group.

 

·       Crepitus (grinding noise during movement) due to decreased synovial fluid.

 

·       Sharp pain with shoulder elevation or external rotation.

 

 

 

Causes:

 

·       Trauma, like fractures, can lead to secondary frozen shoulders.

 

·       Primary frozen shoulders appear without known causes.

 

·       Increased fibroblasts cause a sticky, thickened joint capsule.

 

·       Persistent inflammation may resist initial anti-inflammatory treatments.

 

·       Untreated tendonitis, notably in biceps / rotator cuff, can trigger the condition.

 

·       Treatment and Rehabilitation Measures:

 

·       "Pendulum exercise" for gravity-aided, passive mobility.

 

·       NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, with variable efficacy.

 

·       Corticosteroid injections, providing relief by reducing inflammation.

 

·       Physical therapy: wall crawls, towel stretches for muscle tone & mobility.

 

·       Recognize and manage associated conditions, notably diabetes.


If you need assistance in the aforementioned then please feel free to schedule a consultation session with Chris Heunis.


Chris Heunis

Clinical Therapist

Healing Hands Jeffreys Bay & Eastern Cape

Member of CAMS (Complimentary & Alternative Medical Science) Institute 

Tel No: 084 767 2913




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