Understanding Frozen Shoulder: What Causes Shoulder Pain and Stiffness?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that affects the shoulder joint, leading to significant shoulder stiffness and restricted movement. Often referred to as a frozen arm, this condition can make daily activities like dressing, lifting objects, or even brushing your hair challenging. Frozen shoulder develops gradually and is characterized by three distinct phases of progression, each presenting unique challenges.

The condition arises when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting movement. Prolonged immobilization after an injury, diabetes, or thyroid disorders can increase the likelihood of developing a frozen shoulder.

Frozen Shoulder Stages: What to Expect in Each Phase

4 stages of Frozen shoulder have specific symptoms. They are:

1. Freezing Stage: This initial phase is marked by increasing shoulder joint pain and stiffness. Movements become restricted, and discomfort intensifies, especially during the night.
2. Frozen Stage: Pain may diminish, but shoulder stiffness worsens significantly, leading to limited mobility.
3. Thawing Stage: During this phase, shoulder stiffness gradually improves, and mobility begins to return.
4. Recovery Stage: Full functionality is restored as the inflammation subsides and the joint regains its normal range of motion.

The journey through these stages can span from 8 months to 2-3 years, depending on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Why Does Frozen Shoulder Happen? Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding the reason for frozen shoulder is crucial to managing and preventing its onset. Common causes and risk factors include:

• Prolonged immobilization: Keeping the shoulder immobile after surgery, an injury, or a fracture can lead to shoulder freeze.
• Medical conditions: Disorders like diabetes, thyroid imbalances, and cardiovascular disease are linked to frozen shoulder.
• Age and gender: Adults between 40 and 60 years, especially women, are more prone to this condition.

Other shoulder issues, such as rotator cuff injuries or arthritis, can also contribute to the development of frozen shoulder.

Recognizing the Signs: Is Your Shoulder Pain Due to Frozen Shoulder?

The symptoms of frozen shoulder typically start subtly but worsen over time. Common cold shoulder symptoms include:

• Persistent shoulder stiffness and aching pain, particularly at night.
• Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as reaching overhead or behind your back.
• Pain that intensifies when trying to lift your arm.

If your shoulder hurts when lifting your arm, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation to rule out other conditions and confirm a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis.

Finding Relief: Effective Treatments for Frozen Shoulder at RegenCare

At RegenCare, we offer advanced, non-surgical treatment for cold shoulder that targets the root cause of the problem. Our specialized approach includes:

1. Regenerative Therapies:
2. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy: Harnesses your body’s healing power to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.

Benefits

• Stimulates natural tissue repair and reduces inflammation using concentrated platelets.
  • Effectively reduces pain associated with frozen shoulder.
  • Restores shoulder flexibility and range of motion.
• Minimally invasive with quick recovery time.

GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate):

A highly concentrated form of regenerative therapy that accelerates healing and restores shoulder function.

Benefits

• Accelerates healing by delivering concentrated growth factors directly to the affected area. Improves shoulder function by repairing tissues at the cellular level.
• Reduces inflammation and discomfort, promoting faster recovery.
• Offers targeted treatment for precise and effective results.

BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate):

Utilizes stem cells to aid in natural healing and recovery of damaged tissues.

Benefits

• Regenerates damaged tissues using stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow.
• Provides long-term relief by addressing the root cause of frozen shoulder.
• Enhances recovery by supporting the body’s natural healing process.

Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) Therapy:

It is a natural, minimally invasive treatment that reduces inflammation and promotes healing in frozen shoulder patients.

Benefits

• Anti-inflammatory proteins in ACS alleviate shoulder discomfort.
• Growth factors repair damaged tissues and improve joint health.
• Simple injections provide relief without the need for surgery.
• Relieves stiffness, enhancing the shoulder’s range of motion.

Autologous Cultured Osteoblast

ACS therapy offers a natural and effective way to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness while promoting long-term healing in frozen shoulder patients.

Benefits

• Anti-inflammatory proteins in ACS target and alleviate joint discomfort.
• Growth factors repair damaged tissues, enhancing recovery.
• Provides effective relief without the risks of surgery.
• Relieves stiffness and restores the shoulder’s range of motion.

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) Therapy

SVF therapy utilizes stem cells extracted from adipose (fat) tissue to repair and regenerate damaged tissues in the shoulder.

Benefits

• Promotes cartilage and tissue regeneration.
• Reduces pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint.
• Enhances flexibility and range of motion.
• Offers a safe and effective alternative to surgery for frozen shoulder.

All the above regenerative cell treatments are done under ultrasound guidance which helps doctors see the affected tissue or area, ensuring accurate placement of regenerative cells. This also reduces the risk of complications, such as injection into surrounding tissues or blood vessels.

Surgerical Intervention

• Regencare also provides minimally invasive surgeries guided by ultrasound as a part of adhesive capsulitis treatment. The techniques used for pain management are Radio Frequency (RF) Stabilization and Arthroscopic Debridement

Arthroscopic Debridement

Arthroscopic debridement involves using an arthroscope (a small camera) and specialized instruments to remove damaged or inflamed tissue, bone spurs, or debris from the joint. It is commonly performed in the shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle to improve joint function in patients.

Procedure

•  The comfort of patient is ensured through the use of local or general anesthesia. 

•   A small incision is made and the arthroscope is inserted into the joint. 

•   The joint is assessed visually using the arthroscope to determine damaged or inflamed tissue. 

•   Instruments are used to remove the damaged tissue, bone spurs or debris from the joint.  

•  The joint is irrigated to flush out any further debris or inflammatory tissue. 

•   The incision is closed and the joint is bandaged.

Radio Frequency (RF) Stabilization

RF stabilization is a modern technique used to treat joint instability, by utilizing controlled thermal energy. This treatment is also known as radiofrequency ablation or thermal stabilization.  

Procedure

• Local anesthesia is administered to numb the affected area.
• A small RF probe is then made to be introduced through the skin in a small incision and then guided to the affected joint by fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
• The RF energy is then transferred through the probe, heating up the affected tissues and triggering collagen production.
• The heat obtained from the RF energy causes the collagen fibers in  the joint capsule to stick together, that is, the joint is tightened and made more stable.
• The RF probe is taken out and the incision is closed.

Benefits of RF Stabilization and Arthroscopic Surgery

✔ Minimally Invasive – Ultrasound-guided procedures often require smaller incisions, which will be less painful and help recover fast.

✔ Faster Healing – The surgical procedures are a direct repair solution that gets patients back to normal activities faster.

✔ Reduced Postoperative Pain – In comparison to conventional open surgery, these techniques are less aggressive and therefore cause less tissue trauma and more comfortable recovery.

✔ Improved Shoulder Function – The patients get better mobility, strength, and range of motion after healing.

✔ Outpatient Procedure – Many cases can be treated as day surgeries as the patient can leave the hospital in 3 hours and then recover at home.

2. Physical Therapy:
   • Customized exercises and manual therapies to restore mobility and strength.
3. Medications:
   • Anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and swelling.

Our team’s expertise ensures that you receive the best medicine for frozen shoulder to achieve long-lasting results.

Which is the Best Regenerative Treatment for Frozen Shoulder?

The ideal treatment for frozen shoulder or Periarthritis of the shoulder depends on the severity and underlying cause. For mild to moderate cases, PRP and GFC therapies effectively reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. For more advanced conditions, BMAC, ACS, or SVF therapies provide comprehensive healing by addressing root causes and regenerating damaged tissues.

Consulting a specialist is essential to create a customized treatment plan that ensures the best outcomes for your frozen shoulder. Regencare not only provide regenerative cell treatment but also provide surgery for patients. We invite you to consult with our specialist team to develop a personalized treatment plan optimized for your individual requirements.

Move to Heal: Physical Exercises for Frozen Shoulder Recovery

Engaging in frozen shoulder physical exercises is vital for recovery. At RegenCare, our therapists design personalized exercise plans tailored to your needs. Effective shoulder exercises for frozen shoulder include:

• Pendulum Swings: Promotes gentle shoulder movement and reduces stiffness.
• Wall Walks: Helps improve range of motion by gradually extending the arm.
• Cross-Body Stretch: Alleviates tightness in the shoulder muscles.

These adhesive capsulitis exercises not only enhance mobility but also minimize shoulder muscle pain, facilitating faster recovery.

Beyond Traditional Treatments: Innovative Therapies for Frozen Shoulder

RegenCare’s commitment to cutting-edge treatments sets us apart from competitors. Our advanced therapies for shoulder freeze treatment include:

• Regenerative Medicine for shoulder pain             : Using natural healing techniques like PRP, GFC, and BMAC, we reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration without surgery.
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Our treatments focus on delivering maximum results with minimal downtime.

These innovative approaches provide a comprehensive solution for patients seeking lasting relief from adhesive capsulitis.

Preventing Frozen Shoulder: Tips for Maintaining Shoulder Health

Prevention plays a crucial role in avoiding frozen shoulder. Key tips include:

• Stay Active: Regular physical activity and stretching help maintain joint flexibility.
• Avoid Prolonged Immobilization: Keep your shoulder mobile, even during recovery from injuries.
• Maintain Good Posture: Proper alignment reduces strain on the shoulder joint.

Addressing shoulder issues early can prevent complications and ensure lasting shoulder relief.