What is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that restricts movement in your shoulder joint. It causes stiffness and pain, making even simple tasks difficult. The shoulder capsule, a connective tissue sac surrounding the joint, becomes inflamed and thickened, leading to tightness and restricted movement.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder:
- 1.Pain, often worse at night
- 2.Stiffness in the shoulder, limiting movement
- 3.Difficulty reaching behind your back or combing your hair
Causes of Frozen Shoulder:
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but certain factors can increase your risk:
- 1.Age (40-60 years old)
- 2.Diabetes
- 3.Thyroid problems
- 4.Previous shoulder injury or surgery
- 5.Immobilization of the shoulder
Traditional Treatments for Frozen Shoulder:
- Physical therapy: Exercises to stretch and strengthen the shoulder joint are crucial for regaining movement.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications can help manage discomfort.
- Corticosteroid injections: Injections into the shoulder joint can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Arthroscopic Surgery : Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery where a small camera is inserted into the shoulder joint. Surgeons can then use small tools to loosen scar tissue and adhesions restricting movement.
PRP Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a relatively new approach for treating frozen shoulder. PRP is a concentration of a patient's own platelets, containing growth factors that promote healing. Here's how it works for frozen shoulder:
- Process: A blood sample is drawn and processed to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
- Injection: The PRP is then injected directly into the shoulder joint.
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Benefits: The growth factors in PRP are believed to:
- 1.Reduce inflammation
- 2.Promote tissue healing
- 3.Improve blood flow
- 4.Enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy
Advantages of PRP for Frozen Shoulder:
- Faster recovery: Studies suggest PRP may accelerate pain relief and improve range of motion compared to traditional treatments.
- Minimally invasive: PRP injections are a less invasive procedure than surgery.
- Natural healing: PRP utilizes your body's own healing potential.
Conclusion
Frozen shoulders can be a debilitating condition. While traditional therapies are effective, PRP offers a potentially faster and more natural approach to healing. If you're experiencing frozen shoulder symptoms, Consult Now.
