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Frozen Shoulder

Manhattan Orthopedics

Orthopedic Surgeons located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Astoria, & Brooklyn, NY

Not being able to move your shoulder can be scary and frustrating. A frozen shoulder develops over time and may take more than a year to return to normal. Proper medical management is essential to help restore normal shoulder function. At Manhattan Orthopedics, with locations in Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Astoria in New York, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Edmond Cleeman, MD, specializes in conditions that affect the shoulder, including frozen shoulder, and can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to restore function. Call your nearest New York City office or request an appointment online today.

Frozen Shoulder Q & A

What is a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition that affects your ability to move your shoulder. It’s most often seen in adults between the ages of 40-60 and occurs in women more often than men. 

Researchers aren’t certain of what causes a frozen shoulder, but the condition is seen more often in people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.

What are the stages of a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder affects the shoulder capsule, causing it to stiffen and develop thick bands of tissue. Pain and immobility are the primary symptoms of a frozen shoulder. The condition usually develops in stages.

Stage 1: freezing

During the freezing stage, you may experience pain in your shoulder that worsens over time, along with a decreased range of motion. 

Stage 2: frozen

You may not feel as much pain during the frozen stage, but your shoulder may be stiff, which can make everyday tasks difficult. 

Stage 3: thawing

During the thawing stage, you may begin to experience a return in movement. This stage takes many months. 

Treatment for frozen shoulder helps lessen the duration of each stage, but it can still be a long process.

What are the treatments for frozen shoulder?

Dr. Cleeman develops a personalized treatment plan to help you get through each stage of your frozen shoulder with the least amount of pain and the most function. Your treatment may include physical therapy to help restore motion in the joint. 

He also provides cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and may recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to accelerate healing. 

Nonsurgical treatments are usually effective for treating a frozen shoulder, but occasionally arthroscopy is needed. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows Dr. Cleeman to evaluate the components in your shoulder without the need for large incisions. 

Arthroscopy is usually conducted during stage 2 of your frozen shoulder, with an aim of cutting through the tight tissue around your joint capsule. After surgery, Dr. Cleeman recommends 2-3 months of physical therapy to help restore shoulder function and strength.

A frozen shoulder can have a significant impact on your quality of life. For expert care from an experienced orthopedic surgeon, contact Manhattan Orthopedics online or by phone today.

This website and content contained herein (including articles, blogs, images, text, graphics, videos, etc.) is not designed to, and does not, provide medical advice. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment but is for general informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition or treatment options. Never rely on information in this website in place of seeking medical advice and treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you may have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency you should seek immediate medical treatment. The practice does not endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned in this website.

 

 


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