Frozen Shoulder
What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a poorly understood condition, sometimes referred to as "adhesive capsulitis". At its worst, sufferers will have virtually constant pain and may be unable to move the affected arm more than a few degrees in any direction. There are 3 distinct stages: freezing, frozen and thawing. The conditon will eventually resolve itself but, without treatment, this can take up to 3 years.
Often there is no obvious cause for a frozen shoulder, but it can be associated with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or thyroid disorders.
What are the usual treatment options?
There are a number of treatment options for frozen shoulder. Your GP may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs together with physical therapy. If this fails, you may be offered a series of steroid injections (hydrocortisone) and further physical therapy, together with ultrasound and/or TENS (electrical stimulation of the area in order to reduce pain). The next option is likely to be more invasive orthopaedic surgery or a procedure known as "Manipulation Under Anaesthetic". In this, the shoulder is forced into its full range of motion while the patient is unconscious. This will also be followed by up to 20 sessions of physical therapy.
Trials have failed to show consistent success with any of these options, and the potential side-effects can be serious.
- Constant pain inside the shoulder joint.
- Pain down the outside of the arm.
- Severe sharp pain on certain movements.
- Night pain.
- Rapid stiffening and immobility of the shoulder.
What do we offer?
At The Ashgrove Clinic we employ a pioneering treatment developed by one of the UK's leading osteopaths. In a Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial conducted at Cambridge's Addenbrookes Hospital, this technique was shown to produce a significant reduction in pain, together with considerable increases in strength and movement when compared to physiotherapy or a placebo. The evidence very strongly indicated that the technique we use is more effective than any of the conventional alternatives available.
Treating frozen shoulders is not a simple process. It is likely to take between 8 and 12 appointments to restore normal function, although we should be able to relieve your pain within 4 sessions. Occasionally, we may need to refer you for other investigations, as there are a number of conditions which can mimic the symptoms of frozen shoulder.
Our frozen shoulder specialist
Steven Bruce is one of our senior osteopaths and has trained under the osteopath who developed this very effective treatment regime for frozen shoulder. He is registered with the General Osteopathic Council and has practised for a number of years in London, overseas and now in Higham Ferrers.
Our clinic is located in Higham Ferrers, close to Rushden, Northamptonshire. We are also within easy reach of Bedford, Northampton, Kimbolton, Kettering and Wellingborough.
If you are considering frozen shoulder treatment or have any questions, please contact us today.