How to exercise for frozen shoulder

Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Periarthritis of the shoulder, commonly presents with shoulder pain, stiffness, or worsening of pain with movement. This condition is frequently seen in individuals around 50 years old, more often in women than men, and commonly among physical laborers. Without timely treatment, it can exacerbate the functional mobility of the shoulder joint, making everyday tasks like combing hair, dressing, washing the face, or placing hands on hips difficult. In severe cases, it could even affect elbow mobility. Early intervention typically involves exercise; despite discomfort, it is essential to persist and may require analgesics or drugs that promote blood circulation and stop bleeding. Exercises like "wall climbing," using horizontal bars, or stretching within doorframes aim to equalize the range of motion between the affected limb and a healthy shoulder joint. Both active and passive movements, such as swinging the arms forward and backward for 50 repetitions each morning, can provide relief. The process should be gradual and progressively intensified. If self-directed exercise proves ineffective, interventions like injections can be administered by a physician, which relieve pain by detaching the sticky interactions among ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the shoulder area, thereby easing the symptoms over time. Continuous pain may persist for a while; alternatively, brachial plexus or cervical plexus anesthesia followed by manual reduction can significantly reduce pain and gradually alleviate symptoms.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of Periarthritis of Shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammation of the joint capsule, ligaments, and tendons around the shoulder joint due to chronic strain. This results in localized pain and restricted mobility. Additionally, the shoulder joint is affected during active actions such as lifting, abducting, and extending. During passive lifting activities, the pain may worsen. Also, pain is notably more severe at rest during the night. In the morning, there can be joint stiffness, which may ease after some movement, reducing both stiffness and pain.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of frozen shoulder

The patient is suffering from periarthritis of the shoulder, which is a type of aseptic inflammation. In the early stages, the primary symptom is a subjective feeling of pain in the shoulder, which tends to worsen at night. The skin and muscle tissues around the shoulder become adhesive and hardened, and touching the area can distinctly feel stiffness and hardening. At the same time, the range of motion in the shoulder joint decreases, and moving the joint can intensify the pain. Diagnostic clarity can be achieved through MRI scans and ultrasound examinations. In the early stages, topical plasters that reduce swelling and relieve pain can be used, along with acupuncture and moxibustion, and the application of analgesic medications. It is also necessary to strengthen shoulder joint function training under the guidance of a rehabilitation physician. Pendulum movements of the shoulder joint and arc movements can help alleviate pain and increase the range of motion of the shoulder joint.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Causes of Periarthritis of the Shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder is caused by chronic strain on the shoulder, leading to aseptic inflammation of the muscles, ligaments, and even the joint capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. Symptoms include localized pain and limited mobility, often seen in middle-aged and elderly women. Once periarthritis of the shoulder occurs, it is important to determine the cause. During treatment, it is important to rest and engage in appropriate functional exercises. Because if rest periods are overly prolonged during the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, it can lead to limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. Therefore, appropriate functional exercises should also be performed during the rest and physical therapy process.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to exercise for frozen shoulder

Typically, there are several methods for exercising with patients suffering from periarthritis of the shoulder. For example, wall climbing motions can be performed to exercise the mobility of the shoulder joint. Exercises can also be done on horizontal bars. The objective is to restore normal joint mobility and prevent joint stiffness. Additionally, patients with periarthritis of the shoulder often experience severe pain. Local pain points can be treated with an injection block, or topical plasters that invigorate the blood and break up stasis can be used. Treatment also includes oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that invigorate the blood and break up stasis. Furthermore, it is necessary to reduce physical activity, avoid exposure to cold, apply local heat, and use acupuncture and electrotherapy. Gradually, recovery will be achieved.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to treat periarthritis of the shoulder?

Periarthritis of the shoulder generally refers to the aseptic inflammation around the shoulder joint, which is common in middle-aged and elderly women. It is caused by chronic strain of the shoulder joint, affecting the surrounding muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and ligaments. First, it is important to rest and you can promote blood circulation around the area with appropriate physiotherapy, such as hot compresses and acupuncture, to facilitate the repair of the damaged area. At the same time, appropriate exercise should be carried out to avoid stiffness of the joint that can occur with prolonged immobility or passive restraint.