Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Difference between revisions
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==Management== |
==Management== |
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Management of this disorder focuses on restoring joint movement and reducing shoulder pain. Usually, it begins with [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]]s (NSAIDs) and the application of heat, followed by gentle stretching exercises. which may be performed in the home with the help of a [[physical therapist]]. In some cases [[transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation]] (TENS) with a small battery-operated unit may be used to reduce pain by blocking [[nerve impulse]]s. |
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Management of this disorder focuses on restoring joint movement and reducing shoulder pain, involving medications, physical therapy, and/or surgical intervention. Treatment may continue for months. |
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The next step often involves one or a series of steroid injections (up to six) such as [[Methylprednisolone]]. Treatment may be needed for several months. Injections are usually given under radiological guidance, with either [[fluoroscopy]], [[ultrasound]] or [[Computed Tomography|computed tomography (CT)]]. Radiological guidance is utilized so that the needle is safely and accurately guided into the shoulder joint. Cortisone is injected into the joint in order to suppress the inflammation that is characteristic of this condition. The shoulder capsule may also be stretched by injecting normal saline, often to the point of rupturing the capsule in order to alleviate the pain and loss of motion due to its contraction ([[hydrodilatation]] or distension arthrography); however research in 2008 has questioned the benefit of hydrodilatation as giving no statistical benefit over injecting cortisone alone.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tveitå |first1=Einar Kristian |last2=Tariq |first2=Rana |last3=Sesseng |first3=Solve |last4=Juel |first4=Niels Gunnar |last5=Bautz-Holter |first5=Erik |title=Hydrodilatation, corticosteroids and adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial |journal=BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |volume=9 |pages=53 |year=2008 |pmid=18423042 |pmc=2374785 |doi=10.1186/1471-2474-9-53}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | If these measures are unsuccessful the doctor may recommend [[Joint manipulation|manipulation]] of the shoulder under [[general anesthesia]] to break up the adhesions. [[Surgery]] to cut the adhesions (capsular release) may be indicated in prolonged and severe cases; the procedure is usually performed by [[arthroscopy]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baums |first1=M. H. |last2=Spahn |first2=G. |last3=Nozaki |first3=M. |last4=Steckel |first4=H. |last5=Schultz |first5=W. |last6=Klinger |first6=H.-M. |title=Functional outcome and general health status in patients after arthroscopic release in adhesive capsulitis |journal=Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy |volume=15 |pages=638–44 |year=2006 |doi=10.1007/s00167-006-0203-x}}</ref> Surgery to correct other problems with the shoulder, e.g., [[subacromial bursitis|subacromial impingement]] or [[rotator cuff tear|rotator cuff rupture]] may also be needed. |
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[[Hydrodilatation]] or distension arthrography is controversial.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tveitå |first1=Einar Kristian |last2=Tariq |first2=Rana |last3=Sesseng |first3=Solve |last4=Juel |first4=Niels Gunnar |last5=Bautz-Holter |first5=Erik |title=Hydrodilatation, corticosteroids and adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial |journal=BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |volume=9 |pages=53 |year=2008 |pmid=18423042 |pmc=2374785 |doi=10.1186/1471-2474-9-53}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | If these measures are unsuccessful the doctor may recommend [[Joint manipulation|manipulation]] of the shoulder under [[general anesthesia]] to break up the adhesions. [[Surgery]] to cut the adhesions (capsular release) may be indicated in prolonged and severe cases; the procedure is usually performed by [[arthroscopy]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baums |first1=M. H. |last2=Spahn |first2=G. |last3=Nozaki |first3=M. |last4=Steckel |first4=H. |last5=Schultz |first5=W. |last6=Klinger |first6=H.-M. |title=Functional outcome and general health status in patients after arthroscopic release in adhesive capsulitis |journal=Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy |volume=15 |pages=638–44 |year=2006 |doi=10.1007/s00167-006-0203-x}}</ref> Surgery to correct other problems with the shoulder, e.g., [[subacromial bursitis|subacromial impingement]] or [[rotator cuff tear|rotator cuff rupture]] may also be needed.{{cn}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 14:50, 19 July 2011
| Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder | |
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| Specialty | Rheumatology  |
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Frozen shoulder, medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis, is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule, the connective tissue surrounding the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder, becomes inflamed and stiff, greatly restricting motion and causing chronic pain.
Adhesive capsulitis is a painful and disabling condition that often causes great frustration for patients and caregivers due to slow recovery. Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted. Pain is usually constant, worse at night, and when the weather is colder; and along with the restricted movement can make even small tasks impossible. Certain movements or bumps can cause sudden onset of tremendous pain and cramping that can last several minutes.
This condition, for which an exact cause is unknown, can last from five months to three years or more and is thought in some cases to be caused by injury or trauma to the area. It is believed that it may have an autoimmune component, with the body attacking healthy tissue in the capsule. There is also a lack of fluid in the joint, further restricting movement.
In addition to difficulty with everyday tasks, people who suffer from adhesive capsulitis usually experience problems sleeping for extended periods due to pain that is worse at night and restricted movement/positions. The condition also can lead to depression, pain, and problems in the neck and back.
Risk factors for frozen shoulder include diabetes, stroke, accidents, lung disease, connective tissue disorders, and heart disease. The condition very rarely appears in people under 40.
Treatment may be painful and taxing and consists of physical therapy, medication, massage therapy, hydrodilatation or surgery. A doctor may also perform manipulation under anesthesia, which breaks up the adhesions and scar tissue in the joint to help restore some range of motion. Pain and inflammation can be controlled with analgesics and NSAIDs. The condition tends to be self-limiting: it usually resolves over time without surgery, but this may take up to two years. Most people regain about 90% of shoulder motion over time. People who suffer from adhesive capsulitis may have extreme difficulty working and going about normal life activities for several months or longer.
Presentation
Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted, with progressive loss of both active and passive range of motion.[1] The condition is sometimes caused by injury, leading to lack of use due to pain, but also often arises spontaneously with no obvious preceding trigger factor (idiopathic frozen shoulder). Rheumatic disease progression and recent shoulder surgery can also cause a pattern of pain and limitation similar to frozen shoulder. Intermittent periods of use may cause inflammation.
In frozen shoulder, there is a lack of synovial fluid, which normally helps the shoulder joint, a ball and socket joint, move by lubricating the gap between the humerus (upper arm bone) and the socket in the scapula (shoulder blade). The shoulder capsule thickens, swells, and tightens due to bands of scar tissue (adhesions) that have formed inside the capsule. As a result, there is less room in the joint for the humerus, making movement of the shoulder stiff and painful. This restricted space between the capsule and ball of the humerus distinguishes adhesive capsulitis from a less complicated, painful, stiff shoulder.[2]
People with diabetes, stroke, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or heart disease are at a higher risk for frozen shoulder. Injury or surgery to the shoulder or arm may cause the capsule to tighten from reduced use during recovery.[2] Adhesive capsulitis has been indicated as a possible adverse effect of some forms of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
The condition rarely appears in people under 40 years old and, at least in its idiopathic form, is much more common in women than in men (70% of patients are women aged 40–60). Frozen shoulder in diabetic patients is generally thought to be a more troublesome condition than in the non-diabetic population, and the recovery is longer.[3]
Cases have also been reported after breast or lung surgery.
Prevention
To prevent the problem, a common recommendation is to keep the shoulder joint fully moving to prevent a frozen shoulder. Often a shoulder will hurt when it begins to freeze. Because pain discourages movement, further development of adhesions that restrict movement will occur unless the joint continues to move full range in all directions (adduction, abduction, flexion, rotation, and extension). Physical therapy helps with continued movement.
Signs and diagnosis
One sign of a frozen shoulder is that the joint becomes so tight and stiff that it is nearly impossible to carry out simple movements, such as raising the arm. The movement that is most severely inhibited is external rotation of the shoulder.
People complain that the stiffness and pain worsen at night. Pain due to frozen shoulder is usually dull or aching. It can be worsened with attempted motion, or if bumped. A physical therapist may suspect the patient has a frozen shoulder if a physical examination reveals limited shoulder movement. Frozen shoulder can be diagnosed if limits to the active range of motion (range of motion from active use of muscles) are the same or almost the same as the limits to the passive range of motion (range of motion from a person manipulating the arm and shoulder). An arthrogram or an MRI scan may confirm the diagnosis, though in practice this is rarely required.
The normal course of a frozen shoulder has been described as having three stages:[4]
- Stage one: The "freezing" or painful stage, which may last from six weeks to nine months, and in which the patient has a slow onset of pain. As the pain worsens, the shoulder loses motion.
- Stage two: The "frozen" or adhesive stage is marked by a slow improvement in pain but the stiffness remains. This stage generally lasts from four to nine months.
- Stage three: The "thawing" or recovery, when shoulder motion slowly returns toward normal. This generally lasts from 5 to 26 months.
Management
Management of this disorder focuses on restoring joint movement and reducing shoulder pain, involving medications, physical therapy, and/or surgical intervention. Treatment may continue for months.
Medications frequently used include local corticosteroid injection and NSAIDs.[citation needed] Physiotherapy may include massage therapy and daily extensive stretching, sometimes after warming/heating the shoulder.[citation needed]
Hydrodilatation or distension arthrography is controversial.[5]
If these measures are unsuccessful the doctor may recommend manipulation of the shoulder under general anesthesia to break up the adhesions. Surgery to cut the adhesions (capsular release) may be indicated in prolonged and severe cases; the procedure is usually performed by arthroscopy.[6] Surgery to correct other problems with the shoulder, e.g., subacromial impingement or rotator cuff rupture may also be needed.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Jayson, M. I. V. (1981). "Frozen Shoulder: Adhesive Capsulitis". British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition). 283: 1005–6.
- ^ a b "Frozen shoulder - Causes". Retrieved 2011-07-05. Cite error: The named reference "titleFrozen shoulder - Causes" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Questions and Answers about Shoulder Problems". Retrieved 2008-01-28.
- ^ "Your Orthopaedic Connection: Frozen Shoulder". Retrieved 2008-01-28.
- ^ Tveitå, Einar Kristian; Tariq, Rana; Sesseng, Solve; Juel, Niels Gunnar; Bautz-Holter, Erik (2008). "Hydrodilatation, corticosteroids and adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial". BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 9: 53. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-53. PMC 2374785. PMID 18423042.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Baums, M. H.; Spahn, G.; Nozaki, M.; Steckel, H.; Schultz, W.; Klinger, H.-M. (2006). "Functional outcome and general health status in patients after arthroscopic release in adhesive capsulitis". Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 15: 638–44. doi:10.1007/s00167-006-0203-x.
This article contains text from the public domain document "Frozen Shoulder" , American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, available from URL http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=162&topcategory=Shoulder.
External links
- "Frozen Shoulder" from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
- Siegel, Lori B.; Cohen, Norman J.; Gall, Eric P. (1999). "Adhesive capsulitis: a sticky issue". American family physician. 59 (7): 1843–52. PMID 10208704.
- Radiology image sequence demonstrating CT guided shoulder hydrodilatation
- "Frozen Shoulder" from Harbor Physical Therapy, Baltimore, MD.